By CHAD COOPER
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The Eagles are ready to soar
Football is finally back.
Across Virginia, teams officially opened preseason practice on July 30, and that means Friday night lights are no longer just around the corner — they’re here.
For Buchanan County, though, this isn’t just another football season.
This is history.
At 7 p.m. on Aug. 21, the Southern Gap Eagles will take the field against Holston in the first varsity football game in school history. It’s a moment years in the making, and one many people never thought they would see.
The Eagles have spent the opening days of preseason camp practicing at Nelson Memorial Field, preparing for a season unlike any other. Every workout, every rep and every meeting is helping lay the foundation for a brand-new program.
Like many of you, this season will feel different for me.
There won’t be another Friday night cheering on the Grundy Golden Wave and hearing the Goldie Oldies cheer on their beloved school. I won’t be making the trip to my old stomping grounds at Hurley to catch a game at the legendary Cliff. After covering Twin Valley for years — where three of my four children attended school — I started feeling like an honorary Panther.
For nearly a decade, I have had the privilege of covering every Buchanan County football program as a member of the Black Diamond District. I’ve witnessed championships like Grundy’s run to a Region 1D title in 2022, heartbreaking losses and unforgettable rivalries that helped shape high school football in our county.
Those memories aren’t going anywhere.
Neither is the pride those schools brought to their communities.
But like it or not, now is the time to write a new chapter.
For the first time in Buchanan County history, one team will represent more than 500 square miles of mountain communities. We are moving from the BDD to the Southwest District. Now we will be playing schools such as Richlands, which was a huge rival of Grundy for many years, and Tazewell, and then, in a year or so, be playing a full Southwest District schedule which includes perennial power Graham and Virginia High as well as making that long trip to Marion.
Players who once lined up across from one another are now teammates wearing the same black and Vegas gold.
I’m excited to watch former Grundy standout Ayden Whited, who will most likely be the first starting quarterback for the Eagles, line up alongside former Twin Valley first-team All-Region 1D defensive back Brayden White. Add in former Hurley standout Chase Baker, who earned second-team All-Region 1D honors on the defensive line last season, and you begin to see the talent that has come together under one roof.
The schedule offers plenty of excitement from the very beginning.
Following a scrimmage at home on Aug. 15 against former Hurley High School head coach Austin Cooper and the Patrick Henry Rebels, the Eagles will make history by hosting Holston in the season opener on Aug. 21. A week later, Southern Gap will host Ridgeview for the annual Black Diamond Miners Bowl.
I had the opportunity to discuss the new bowl game with Ridgeview head football coach Kent Grant, and he mentioned that his group is excited about the new rivalry game between the neighboring counties, which will precede the away games at Rye Cove on Sept. 4 and Giles the following week.
The home schedule also features Honaker on Sept. 25 for Little League Night, Richlands on Oct. 2 for Senior Night and River View, West Virginia, on Oct. 23 for Homecoming. The Eagles will also hit the road for games against Tazewell, Class 1 favorites Eastside and a much-improved Wise Central team.
There’s not an easy game on the schedule, but that’s exactly what makes this first season so intriguing.
Will there be growing pains? Of course.
Building chemistry doesn’t happen overnight when players from four different schools come together. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned covering sports in Buchanan County, it’s that our kids know how to compete. I have faith in head coach Greg Tester. The numbers are good with over 40 out, and there is some young talent on that team.
More importantly, they know how to represent their communities.
On Aug. 21, I hope every seat in the new state-of-the-art facility is filled. I hope the parking lots overflow. I hope former Grundy, Hurley, Twin Valley and Council fans all stand together wearing black and gold.
Because this team belongs to every corner of Buchanan County.
The names on the jerseys may have changed, but the pride of Buchanan County hasn’t.
A new era is about to begin, and I can’t wait to cover every snap of it.
“Thanks for joining me in the Locker Room. Until next week, let’s keep celebrating the victories, learning from the defeats, and always standing behind Buchanan County’s athletes.”
