Bluefield – There’s a case to be made that Bluefield is in the midst of its most successful stretch in program history. But there’s also a few contenders for that mantle in the 21st century.
Still, it’s hard to argue against four consecutive seasons in which the Beavers have been playing in the final Class AA title game of the season for a championship.
But with success come expectations. Hefty ones.
It’s nothing new for Bluefield Head Coach Fred Simon, but his expectations are different from those on the outside. He doesn’t judge success solely on championships and title appearances.
“You basically just say you’re going to try and give it your best effort,” Simon said. “If our best effort falls short and they try, I can live with that. That’s what we want to focus on – giving it our all, learning what we’ve got to do and giving effort to be the best that we can be. The effort to me is the key. If everyone gives effort and tries, if we go undefeated, we lose two games or lose six games I can live with it as long as we’re trying.”
Effort will be key. The Beavers graduated a senior class that knew nothing but long playoff runs. Amongst that class was a two-year starter in quarterback Carson Deeb, wide receivers Brandon Wiley and Juwaun Green and linebacker Shawn Mitchell.
The task now is getting the news cast ready to fill those roles.
“It’s great, unbelievable,” Simon said, reflecting on the success the program has enjoyed the last four years. “I think (the players) don’t all see it yet – some of them do. That’s a good thing about a coaching staff and your team. We have to get them to that point where we’re all ready to roll. We’re not there yet but we’re going to work towards it and give it out best to make sure we’re all on the same page before we get started in our first game.
“I think it’s going to be how much they want to learn and how much they want to go at it. It’s about their effort. Do they want to be good? Do they want to be fair? That’s what’s key. Whether you’re on the line, a receiver or a back, quarterback, defensive line, defensive back, linebacker – whatever you are. It’s key to want to learn and listen to the coaches.”
Replacing Deeb at quarterback will be senior Ryker Brown, who gives the Beavers a mobile threat with his legs. Jacorian Green is expected to be the team’s top wide receiver and for good reason – he’s the Class AA 200-meter state champion. Other returners include Gage Sisk, Jaeon Flack and Amir Hairston.
“Ryker Brown is our quarterback and middle linebacker and he’s paid his dues,” Simon said. “Guys that are handed things kind of lose their focus but these guys have had to work for things and their positions. I think Jacorian Green has done an excellent job working in the weight room this offseason. He ran track and won the 200. That ought to give you an idea of where his focus is. People are going to have to be ready to cover him and they’ll have to be able to cover him, our running backs and a guy like Gage Sisk. He’s worked like a dog. He’ll be an outside linebacker and a slot. He’s ready to play because he’s had to pay his dues. Those type of kids that pay their dues, I watch them and they keep working until they get their chance. I think we’ll be able to count on them every game.
Adding to a new cast is a revamped schedule that features five Virginia teams. That wasn’t ideal for Simon and Co. but that’s been the state of things for them dating back to the 2000s when the program often had to travel to North Carolina to fill out a schedule.
Fortunately for the Beavers there’s a lot of familiarity.
Graham, Richlands and Tazewell are mainstays on the Virginia end while Oak Hill, Beckley, Princeton – three Class AAA schools – provide the Beavers with an opportunity to play up and gather bonus points should they win those games.
“You hate to have to travel to some of those Virginia schools but we’ve had some trouble filling out the schedule with teams in West Virginia,” Simon said. “We’d like to play some more teams locally but that’s just the way it is and we’ll play whoever is in front of us.”
The Beavers will kickoff the season on Aug. 27 when they host rival Graham at Mitchell Stadium.
Contact Tyler Jackson at tylerjackson@lootpress.com, call him at 304-731-5542 and follow on Twitter @tjack94
Bluefield Schedule
1 08/27/21 7:30PM H – GRAHAM,VA H.S. –
2 09/03/21 7:00PM A – PRINCETON SENIOR –
3 09/10/21 7:00PM A – PULASKI,VA H.S. –
4 09/17/21 7:30PM H – WOODROW WILSON –
5 09/24/21 7:30PM H – RICHLANDS, VA H.S. –
6 10/08/21 7:30PM H – PIKEVIEW –
7 10/15/21 7:00PM A – TAZEWELL, VA H.S. –
8 10/22/21 7:30PM A – OAK HILL –
9 10/29/21 7:00PM A – RIDGEVIEW, VA HS –
10 11/05/21 7:30PM H – MINGO CENTRAL –
Josh Punturi 12
Ian Parrish 11
2 R Sencere Fields 10 5’6 150
3 RB Jaeon Flack 12 5’10 161
4 RB Jamel Floyd 9 5’10 160
6 RB Chance Johnson 12 6’2 155
7 R Jacorian Green 12 6’2 177
8 QB/LB RYKER BROWN 12 6’2 190
9 RB MARQUISE SAUNDERS 12 5’10 175
10 QB Camden Deeb 10 6′ 199
11 QB Bryson Redmond 10 5’9 147
12 QB Caleb Fuller 11 6’2 164
14 WR Campbell Toman 11 6’1 161
15 QB Braden Fong 11 5’10 157
18 R Christopher Patton 9 5’10 156
19 R Joshua Woods 9 5’9 150
20 R Reginald Hairston 10 6’2 198
21 R/LB Gerard Wade 10 5’10 159
22 R/LB Gaige Sisk 12 6′ 170
24 R ZHAMIR BUSHNELL 10 5’9 141
25 Javan Huckleberry 10 5’7 161
28 RB Amir Hairston 10 5’10 165
31 Cameron Lane 9 5’9 158
32 K Jackson Wills 12 5’11 152
33 R/S Shawn Hale 11 6’1 163
34 Elijah Simpkins 9 5 164
35 R KISEAN Smith 9 5’6 138
40 Jeffrey King 9 5’6 142
44 LB JARRETT RILEY 11 5’8 143
50 OL Anthony Buzzo 10 5’7 196
52 T Dwight Fuller 12 5’11 272
54 T Bryce Gamble 11 5’9 250
56 G Landon Tabor 10 6′ 289
57 DL Ashton Hayes 12 5’11 166
58 LS CHANCE YOST 11 6’1 198
59 OL Demetreas Hayden 12 5’8 253
60 LB Kenneth Stamper 11 5’8 253
61 OL BRENDEN BELL 10 5’9 162
62 OL CHRISTIAN PENN 11 6′ 238
65 C Dane Robinson 11 5’11 279
67 G/T Jaden Francisco 9 6′ 279
68/42 DL Ethan Spangler 12 6’2 208
72 C Teven Headen 9 6′ 406
73 T Noah Casey 11 5’11 215
74 OL Omarion Walton 10 5’8 284
75 C Robert Nelson 12 5’11 312
79 G Zach Overton 11 6′ 312