Eagles tame Bears, head to State Championship

Clarke County defeats Union 43-15 to advance to the State Championship game in Salem      Photo by Joe Costa

BERRYVILLE, Va.- The Clarke County Eagles football team made history on Saturday, December 5, 2015 with a 43-15 win over the undefeated Union Bears in the VHSL 2A State semi final game held at Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium in Berryville.

The crowd of over 4,000 gave "the Felt" a college atmosphere as fans started arriving at 4:00AM for a 1:30PM kickoff.

The Eagles line controlled both sides of the ball and were able to amass 356 yards rushing on 63 carries and 6 touchdowns.

"We always have a game plan to come out and run the football," Blocking back Will Roper said. "On film they weren't as physical as [Robert E.] Lee was it seemed, and we just came out and ran it down their throats."

Jordon Turnner connects on a 2 pt. conversion and scored 3 touchdowns rushing        Photo by Jeff Webster

Quarterback Jordon Turner rushed for 106 yards on 19 carries and scored three times on runs of 2, 1 and 2 yards and completed 2 extra point passes to Brett McDonald and Mackie Martin.

"It was a great win, it was physical on both sides of the ball." Turner said, "Our defense held them and caused 4 turnovers and stopped them, scoring 15 points when they are used to scoring 40, it was a good day."

The Eagles scored on their first three drives and recovered a fumble and grabbed two interceptions to take an early 21-0 lead, never having to look back the rest of the day.

Hunter Rogers 141 yards on 27 carries and 2 TD's         Photo by Jeff Webster

The Eagles 2015 leading rusher Hunter Rogers ran for 147 yards on 27 carries and scored twice with runs of 4 and 4 yards.

"It was a great win obviously, I'm overwhelmed." Rogers said, "I knew we were going to come out here and play well, our offensive line was great."

Matt Dang was the third Eagle rusher to break 100 yards on the day with 115 yards on 10 carries.

For the second week in a row Dang electrified the crowd with a break away run, scoring on a 61 yard scamper.


"I couldn't thank our O line anymore. They are our big brothers." Dang said, "They help us get the yards and that's what we like."

Eagles head coach Chris Parker credited the crowd and the community for their support and mentioned that the victory was one of the top highlights of his 33 year coaching career.

Coach Chris Parker congratulates Julius Grant      Photo by Joe Costa

"I love coaching in an environment like that." Parker said, "I was really proud of our crowd, and I have to respect and take my hat off to Union. For those people to travel 5 or 6 hours and show the support they did, it was special for them too."


The Eagles made history by reaching the state football tournament as no other football team in Clarke's history has went this far, although the school garners 29 state championships in a variety of other sports.

Senior lineman Sam White was at a loss for words when asked about the team's historical run.

"It's incredible." White said, I would have never thought that we would have made history, I'm gonna play as hard as I can."

Matt Dang electrifies the crowd with a 61 yard touchdown run                              Photo by Jeff Webster

Assistant Coach Casey Childs congratulates Brett McDonald                                                  Photo by Jeff Webster             

Kickoff is set for 4:30PM on Saturday December 12 at Salem City Stadium. More information can be found at the official Virginia High School League website.  http://www.vhsl.org

Highlights and post game interviews can be viewed below  (Viewing time 25:31)

Redskins Charitable Foundation Names Travis Turner Redskins High School Coach of the Week

WASHINGTON REDSKINS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION NAMES

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH OF THE WEEK



EASY TWEET: Congrats to the head football coach of @unionbearslive Travis Turner for being named the WRCF Coach of the Week for Nov. 23!

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that Union High School Head Football Coach Travis Turner has been named the Redskins High School Coach of the Week for the week of Nov. 23. This is Turner’s fifth season as head coach at Union. The Bears are undefeated with a 13 – 0 record and have advanced to the Virginia 2A semifinals.

When asked what approach Turner takes when coaching his student-athletes Union Athletic Director, Mike Goforth, said he stresses the idea of “athlete first, winning second.” Goforth described Turner has a, “selfless leader” who always makes time for his players and coaching staff.

Turner stresses the importance of athletics to all of his student-athletes. He maintains a line of constant communication with his athlete’s teachers and helps to stay on top of their grades. If an athlete is struggling in a class he does not allow them to go to practice and requires them to attend after school tutoring.

Coach Turner also emphasizes the importance of giving back. Once a week during the season, the football team volunteers their time at various churches in the area. The athletes and coaches assist by cleaning, gardening, providing general maintenance, and helping cook and deliver meals to the elderly.

In terms of on the field safety, Turner has been concussion certified through the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS). Each year he takes parents of his student-athletes through the concussion protocol.

Redskins High School Coach of the Week

The Redskins High School Coach of the Week program is designed to recognize and reward excellence in high school football coaching.

Each week during the 2015 high school football season, the Redskins will select one area high school head football coach as the Redskins High School Coach of the Week. The selection is based on the coach's continuing commitment toward promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes, overall community involvement and overall team performance and record.

Each of the coaches chosen throughout the high school season will receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to their football program and a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden, Redskins President Bruce Allen and General Manager Scot McCloughan.

For more information on the Redskins High School Coach of the Week program or the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, visit http://www.redskins.com/community or follow the Foundation on Twitter at @RedskinsCR or on Instagram @redskinsgiveback.

Eagles advance to State tournament

BERRYVILLE, Va.- The Clarke County Eagles made history last Friday with a 19-0 win over Robert E. Lee in the VHSL 2A football playoffs.The win propels the Eagles (12-1) into the VHSL 2A state semi finals.


Clarke County High School has won several VHSL State Championships in other sports but the football team has never won a state championship.


"This is the farthest we have ever been in school history," Eagles Coach Chris Parker said. "It's great for the kids. Everybody wants to win, but when you get into the playoffs and win like this it's something the kids will remember the rest of their life."


The Eagles led 6-0 at the half after Jordon Turner scored on a run up the middle. The Leemen (9-4) drove the length of the field on the opening drive of the second half before the Eagles defense forced a turnover and took over at their own 10 yard line.


Running back Matt Dang took a sweep around right end and cut it back up the middle of the field before racing 90 yards to break the game open in the third quarter.


"Overall we pushed the ball good," Dang said. On third downs we always got the first down and that helped get us the win."


The Eagles leading rusher, Hunter Rogers returned to the lineup after sitting out most for several weeks with an injury, Rogers got into the end zone to wrap up the Eagles scoring.


The Eagles defense posted their second consecutive playoff shutout with the Leeman averaging 39 points per game.


"Our defense is playing great," Eagles linebacker Michael Fields said. "We've got a lot of heart, it goes back to day one, all the circuits and training we've done, it's a great feeling."


The Eagles will host the Union Bears (13-0) from Big Stone Gap in Berryville on Saturday at 1:30PM. The winner of the game will advance next week to the VHSL 2A state championship in Salem.


"It feels great to be making history," Eagles quarterback Jordon Turner said. "That was our goal at the beginning of the year to come out and the best that has ever come through Clarke and we are accomplishing that goal."