The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Clarke County vs Page County

Tonight’s High School Basketball Game of the Week features an experienced Clarke County Eagles (10-5) squad hosting the up-and-coming Page County Panthers (4-14) on Fox Sports Radio 1450 WFTR, theriver953.com and the Tune In Radio App with coverage starting at 7:20 pm.

The Eagles return a host of familiar faces including Moses Day, Will Booker, Louie Marino, and Michael Kerr-Hobert but have a new head coach leading the bench, Kent Auslander.

Auslander has filled the role well after the tragic passing of longtime head coach Brent Emmart and brings with him Division I coaching and playing experience.

Clarke County’s 6’3″ senior Moses Day has dominated the paint, leading the area in rebounds with 6.6 per game and blocks with 2.1 per game.

He holds his own on the offensive end as well averaging 14 points on 54% shooting from the floor and has the ability to throw down some thunderous dunks

Page County poses a tough matchup in the paint for Day due to their length.

Senior center Seth Cloude provides experience with his 6’1″ frame and 6’3″ sophomore center Isaac Foltz has shown tremendous athleticism to go with his size.

Foltz has also demonstrated his ability to take over a game in Page County’s first win of the season against Mountain View where he led the Panthers with 18 points including all 11 of the team’s 4th quarter scores.

Page County has continued to fight under first year head coach and PCHS alum Tyler Parker and will be able to keep this game closer than some may expect based on the team’s records.

Although they have lost five of their last six, three of those games were by one score including an overtime loss to Luray.

Clarke County’s experienced roster and ability to close games will help them come away with a close win in a defensive battle, 58-52.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The Duke’s Preview: Clarke County vs Page County featuring Coach James May

Clarke County (5-1) welcomes Page County (1-5) to their Homecoming festivities for tonight’s Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and the Tune In Radio App.

The Eagles will look to rebound from their first loss of the season against Central last week, 20-7.

Clarke County set themselves back early 14-0 against the Falcons after giving up a touchdown on their opening drive and allowing Central to capitalize on a Clarke County fumble from their first possession for a touchdown.

The running game struggled for most of the game with running back Will Booker leading the way with 68 yards.

Quarterback Tanner Sipe found some success up the middle on the lone scoring drive for the Eagles, but Central did a great job containing anything to the outside all night.

Defensively, the Eagles settled in to hold Central to just one score in the second half and linebacker Carson Chinn was flying around the field totaling 20 tackles in the contest.

This week they will look to regroup against a Page County team that has struggled this season but is making strides towards building the program up for the future.

Senior Quarterback Hunter Petitt is one of the vocal leaders of the team and has shown to be dangerous on the ground and through the air.

His best game of the season came against Mountain View when he finished with 5 total touchdowns and over 100 yards rushing and passing.

Page County struggled last week against Strasburg, falling 56-14.

The Panthers were outgained in the first half 304 yards to 0 and did not gain their initial first down until the 4th quarter.

Linebacker Brennan Welch provided the lone highlight of the game with a scoop and score from 80 yards out.

I predict Clarke County will use the frustration of last week’s loss and the excitement of Homecoming week to come out to an early lead and will come away with a big win, 48-8.

To hear my interview with Page County Head Coach James May, press play below.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The Duke’s Preview: Clarke County vs Central featuring Coach Casey Childs

The battle of the unbeatens is finally here.

Central (5-0) will travel to Berryville for their 4th consecutive road game to take on Clarke County (5-0) for our Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and the Tune In Radio App.

The last few matchups in the series have been instant classics and this game looks to fit the same mold.

Last year, Clarke County took an early 14-0 lead, but Central made a comeback moving Tyler Forbes (121 yards and two touchdowns) from fullback to tailback to win 21-14.

Forbes would stay put as the lead back for the rest of the season, and Central advanced all the way to the state championship game using the same formula of a hard nosed rushing attack and stifling defense.

This year looks to be a lot more of the same as they are off to a hot start with some quality wins and players like Forbes and defensive end Nathan Lopez (52 tackles and 4 sacks) picking up where they left off last season.

Central’s passing game looks to have taken a step back with quarterback Nick Barahona completing just 9 passes and one touchdown through the air to his receiving corps which features mainly underclassmen.

The Falcons will meet a Clarke County team that has made huge strides this season after a difficult year in 2022 plagued by injuries.

Clarke County is led by an experienced offensive line (four seniors, one junior) and a variety of gifted backs including Will Booker, Wyatt Palmer, and Carson Rutherford, who may be available Friday night for the first time since the King William game on September 1st.

Booker has been featured heavily the past few games including a 25 carry, 145 yard, and two touchdown performance against Catoctin last week.

Defensively, the Eagles have been stout allowing just 8.2 points per game and 111.8 yards per game.

They have also been opportunistic in forcing turnovers.

Basketball standout Moses Day has adapted quickly to the gridiron and had two interceptions against Catoctin from his defensive back position.

This game will truly come down to execution and limiting turnovers, but I believe Clarke County’s edge in team speed, experienced skill players, and a rowdy Feltner Stadium crowd will give the Eagles the victory, 26-21.

Press play below to hear my full interview with Clarke County Head Coach Casey Childs.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.