PREP FOOTBALL: Aycock prevails in Little River Rivalry

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on August 20, 2017 1:48 AM

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By JUSTIN HAYES

jhayes@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Feast or famine.

Such was the nature of Friday's sprint-styled edition of the Little River Rivalry, claimed once again in bother-me-not fashion by a pad-popping Charles B. Aycock outfit, which won 56-26 over Rosewood High.

Played in typical, Southern-fried August air before a lively two-way crowd, the contest was the season opener for both teams.

And Aycock wasted no time getting started.

Clad in all navy, the hosts parlayed the opening kick into the game's first score, marching 59 yards in five plays to set up a one-yard stampede by tailback Michael Hemmingway.

Just like that, the Blues were in control.

And save a few spectacular moments by Rosewood signal-caller Tucker Chapin and his outside-the-numbers gang, things remained that way.

Attempting to offset a dash of lightning-rod work by the Blues -- which included a 50-yard score by Jordan Woodard and a nifty fumble return for a touchdown by Raekwon Coley -- the quarterback took to the air.

As play-calling goes, call it Highway 581-Jet.

Under duress repeatedly and staring into a blinding sun, Chapin moved around in the pocket long enough to twice locate the speedy Devante Phillips -- on scoring strikes of 52 and 88 yards -- to narrow the Aycock advantage.

But the rally, whilst entertaining, proved costly.

"Our kids played hard," RHS coach Robert Britt said. "But our lack of conditioning didn't allow us to be consistent."

Something, of course, the Blues used to their advantage.  

In total, Aycock deployed 10 skill-position players in the first half -- a tsunami of talented parts that built a commanding 40-20 advantage.  

The second stanza slowed in terms of pace, with both offensive units sacrificing possession on downs while laboring to produce just 22 combined points.

Aycock's defensive unit showed no relent, however, finishing plays with brute force and scoring for a third time on a brilliant, 20-yard "pick six" by Coley -- a coup lauded post-game by head coach Steve Brooks.

"He's just a quiet, hard-working kid," the coach said of his junior. "He does all the dirty work, makes the tackles and doesn't really get his name called out ... just has a nose for the football."

Which the Blues controlled on Friday, from start to finish, with pace and personnel.

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LITTLE RIVER... LOPSIDED

• The past two installments of this season-opening rivalry haven't been especially kind to the Eagles, who've been outscored by CBA to the tune of 115-39.

CHAPIN-ESQUE

• All the senior did in his first start Friday was connect on 13 of 18 passing attempts for 347 yards, four touchdowns and a pair of interceptions ... kid can really spin the strings.

QUOTABLE

• "I thought we finished and played with a lot of composure," CBA coach Steve Brooks said of his troupe. "You know, they've been told all spring they're going 0-11 ... and nobody can tell them they're going 0-11 now."