The Pulaski County High School Cougar football team will hit the road for their second game of the season Friday night, when they travel to Daleville to take on a very strong and well-coach Lord Botetourt Cavalier squad.
“They’re good and they’ve already played two games,” Cougar Head Coach Cam Akers said. “They are loaded with some very talented players who have a ton of experience. Coach Harless does a great job with his program and has continued to build on their success each season. It will be a big test for us.”
The Cavaliers have an overall record of 325-330-1 since the school opened in 1959, but since Head Coach Jamie Harless took the reins in 2012, the varsity program has put together a stellar record of 106-30 that includes a playoff appearance in each of the 11 seasons, three Region Championship game appearances, and four State Championship game appearances. In each of those region and state title games, however, the Cavaliers have fallen. Their State Championship appearances were in 2015, 2018, 2019, and in the 2020-21 Covid season.
The Cougars and Cavaliers have only faced off six times, resulting in five wins for Pulaski County and one tie. The first game, which ended in a 6-6 tie, was in the 1976 season that put Cougar Head Coach Dave Brown against Cavalier Head Coach Otis Timberlake. The biggest win for the Cougars was in 2001 when the Cougars crushed the Cavaliers 63-21 on their way to a State Championship game appearance of their own against Lafayette. The last matchup involved the 2008 squad, who routed the Cavaliers 40-6 at Cavalier Stadium.
Lord Botetourt returns a large portion of their starters from the 2022 team that lost to Christiansburg 7-34 in the region title game. Coach Harless has stated publicly that the loss fell on his shoulders, and while giving proper credit to Christiansburg, his team did not perform as trained that day.
The team has 16 seniors, many of which have been multiple year starters. Many of their linemen from both sides of the ball are back, as well as several key skill players.
At the top of the list is senior quarterback Jakari Nicely (6’1”, 205). Last season he was the Blue Ridge District Player of the Year and selected as a part of the first team All-State squad.
In front of and protecting him will be several standouts. Senior tight-end Kendal Howard (6’3”, 255) not only excels at that position, but is the second ranked defensive tackle in the state per ESPN. He has already committed to play football at Wake Forest.
Senior Kesean Anderson (6’3”, 330) is the third ranked offensive lineman in the state per ESPN and has committed to Ohio.
Senior lineman D.J. Toliver is currently ranked as the fourth best offensive lineman in the state per ESPN. He is uncommitted currently, but has received offers from Penn State, North Carolina, and Louisville to this point. The list will grow.
“They’ve got a line with size, speed, and power,” Coach Akers said. “They play well together, and they don’t make a lot of mistakes. Our guys are going to have to do the same. I know it always sounds the same, but it all comes down to blocking, tackling, and eliminating mistakes.”
The Cavaliers opened their season with a 14-0 loss to E.C. Glass on the road in Lynchburg. The Hilltoppers are another solid program that is expected to make a deep run in the playoffs this season. Last week, the Cavaliers traveled to Blacksburg to take on the Bruins. The result of that game was a bruising 83-6 win for the Cavs.
When the Cougars took the field in their season opener, senior Chris Gallimore (6’1”, 220), who has played that position for the past two seasons, handled the quarterback duties. He finished the night with solid numbers on the ground and through the air, leading the Cougars to a big win. Sophomore Bryant Nottingham (6’1”, 154) is available to rotate in as needed. Both will also continue to see plenty of time on defense.
Junior Isaiah O’Dell (6’, 176) will continue to work at the running back spot. O’Dell will be in the mix at the A-back position with senior Tyler Underwood (6’1”, 210) on one side and junior Chase Lawrence (6’1”, 181) on the other.
The slot backs will be a combination of junior Trevor Gallimore (5’10”, 192) and sophomore Savion Thompson (6’, 183).
Senior Marcus Reed (6’3”, 202) will continue as wide out, along with junior Tanner Mace (5’11”, 156). Reed caught all the Cougar pass attempts in the season opener.
The center will be sophomore Blake Ratcliffe (6’, 211). The guard spots will be handled by junior Noah Hinkley (5’8”, 253) and junior Aiden Moore (5’9”, 268). The tackles will be a combination of senior Jack Allen (6’2”, 218), junior Hunter Hill (5’10”, 205), and sophomore Chase King (5’11”, 193).
The defensive unit will see senior Duncan Umberger (5’5”, 233) in the middle. Jack Allen and junior Gavin Lytton (5’8”, 169) will handle the tackle duties on one side. Aiden Moore will line up on the other side.
The outside linebackers will continue to be a four-man rotation. Senior Marcus Reed and senior Chris Gallimore will handle one side. Savion Thompson and freshman Parker Price (6’1”, 186) will handle the other. The inside linebackers will be seniors Tyler Underwood and Nick Woolwine (6’1”, 186).
In the secondary, the free safety will be Chase Lawrence. The strong safety will be Isaiah O’Dell. The corners will be a Bryant Nottingham and Tanner Mace.
Nottingham will handle the kicking and punting duties. The holder on field goals and extra points will be Isaiah O’Dell. The long and short snappers will be Chris Gallimore or Chase Lawrence.
“Our goal is to continue to show improvement each day,” Coach Akers said. “I thought we took some good steps last week against Northside. Having our bye week so early in the season isn’t the best option, but it did give us a little extra time to work on some things. We still have work to do, but our guys are putting in the time.”
Kickoff Friday is set for 7 p.m. at Cavalier Stadium at Lord Botetourt High School.