When:  November 17, 1978

Where: Rich Valley, VA

Billboard 100’s #1 Hit:  MacArthur Park by Donna Summer

The Hype: What if I told you that one of the smallest schools in Southwest Virginia and the smallest in the Hogoheegee district made a romp so big in 1978 that it struck fear in opponents for miles around?

The 1970 decade was largely a decade of dominance by Chilhowie and RB Worthy but in 1978 a different school reared its head to share some of the postseason glory that its two Smyth County brethren had.  The Rich Valley Steers, coached by Gary Arnold, were 11-0 and had won their first ever Hogoheegee district championship.

“The team’s attitude is really super,” said Arnold in his pregame interview.  “This is one game that we haven’t had to push them to get up for.  Our kids know that we’re underdogs, but we’ll pack this place with Rich Valley people if the game is Friday night and the weather is good.”

If Coach Arnold already knew his team was the clear underdogs, then who were the favorites?

Bob William’s Parry McCluer Fighting Blues.  They too were 11-0 and had not met a team all year who could challenge them.  In fact, in 1977 the Blues cruised to a Group A State Championship unblemished.

“They’ve got everything you need to be a great football team,” said Arnold.  “They’re big and quick.  Very quick.  You don’t see many teams that big with the quickness Parry McCluer has.”

In the previous week Rich Valley took Fries, now a product of consolidation in Grayson County, behind the shed in a 42-22 victory in which Rich Valley hero Mike Keith scored six touchdowns.  Keith had not been alone all season though as the Rich Valley stable also had a notable wingback, Jeff Comer.  Comer had missed two games due to injury but Arnold promised that the undersized speedster would be in the lineup for Parry McCluer.

“He worked out all week and will probably start,” Arnold revealed.  “We’ll run Keith against any defense though.  If Comer can go, we’ll go with both.”

Rich Valley helmet circa 1978 (Mike Gardner)

“Keith is an outstanding back,” admitted Williams.  “But we can’t key on him alone because Rich Valley has some other people who can hurt us if we do that.”

Bob Williams had some weapons of his own.  A running back tandem of Jones Brothers named Larry and Timmy who combined for 2,610 yards and an even 300 points on the year.  This means in 11 games all season, each brother averaged 120 yards rushing per game assuming they shared an even load.  Even today that is still amazing.  Stating the obvious, Williams noted, “We’ve been primarily a running team all year. Hopefully we’ll be able to do the same thing on Friday night.”

Larry was a 5-10, 165lb senior who rushed for 1,291 yards on 132 carries and scored 146 points.  His little brother Timmy carried 138 times for 1,319 and 154 points. 

But despite being lauded as a running team, Blues quarterback Ricky Fox had thrown 11 touchdowns on the year.

“Our offense will be dictated by what Rich Valley does on defense.  In our last few games, teams have been stacking the line against our run, so we’ll just have to see how Rich Valley lines up before we decided to throw or run,” explained Williams.

The Fighting Blues toppled Wilson Memorial in the opening round of the playoffs, 33-10.  PM had recorded six shutouts on the year and allowed just 28 points for the entire regular season.

Jeff Staton (6-1, 175), a senior linebacker for the Blues led the defense with 39 solo tackles and 113 assists.  Phil Radick (5-8, 210) a junior noseguard, was second on the team with 36 solos and 98 assists.  “We feel we’re probably stronger against the run but we did intercept 28 passes this year,” said Williams. 

Regardless of record Parry McCluer was the clear favorite.  They had bigger numbers, bigger size, and better speed than anyone in Single A.  It was no secret.

PM’s offense line averaged 205 pounds which was plenty in 1978.  Both ends were 150 but the tackles were 210 and 240 and the guards were 185 and 180.  The center was going at about 170.  Even with those numbers, the Blues dwarfed the line of the Steers.

“There’s no doubt they have us outclassed physically,” admitted Arnold.  “They have maybe 20 guys that are big and talented while we have maybe four or five.  The rest of our players make it on guts and determination, and that’s what we are going to need against McCluer.”

“We’ll be outmanned, but we won’t be outhustled,” promised Arnold.  “Our boys are sky-high and ready to pour out their hearts for this game.”

This one was for the Region C title and the Steers were ready to accept the challenge with hopes of playing the winner of Clintwood and Jonesville at home in the rural confines of Rich Valley, VA. 

The Game:  A heavy downpour drenched everything in Rich Valley that night.  It started raining at full force at about 5:30 that evening and never let up.  By then Parry McCluer had already made the trip, the Steers would be forced to play.

Though Arnold didn’t want to play in poor weather, the downpour could effectively slow down the Blues attack.  At the very least, it could lend Rich Valley’s defense a much needed hand.

As you can imagine the game was sloppy.  Not only in terms of mud and rain, slipping and falling, fumbling and dropping but also in terms of penalties.  Parry McCluer was penalized nine times for 110 yards and Rich Valley eight times for 90 yards.  Neither of these teams looked like tenured 11-0 squads.  The rain was certainly to blame.

Rich Valley fumbled the ball at Parry McCluer’s 34 yard line early and the Blues scored one play later when quarterback Ricky Fox hit Larry Jones out of the backfield for 34 yards and a touchdown.  Bob Williams knew the Steers were going to be ready for the run and decided to throw a wrinkle at them in the rain.  It worked. 7-0 Parry McCluer.

“Our kids saw that play on film and we worked on it all week in practice.  Still we missed the assignment,” said Arnold.

Right off the bat the Steers were looking up from being down to a Parry McCluer team that had not trailed all year.  Parry McCluer dominated most of the first half.  Rich Valley’s best drive was set up by a pass interception by Keith.  The Steers moved to the 27 of Parry McCluer before being caught for a holding penalty.  The penalty crippled their momentum and they had to give the ball back to the Blues.

Rich Valley never really got the offense in gear until the fourth.  Starting from their own 15 the Steers used Mike Keith in a variety of ways including running out of the shotgun, playing quarterback, and of course his usual tailback position.  The creativity helped the Steers get to the PM 42 yard line before getting stuck in the mud and punting.

Late in the fourth the score was still 7-0.  All that Rich Valley needed was to catch a break and make a big play.

They caught the break.

Mike Rhea recovered a fumble for Rich Valley at the Blues 41 yard line in the closing minutes to give the Steers one last chance.  A pass interference penalty gave Rich Valley a first down at the Blues 15 yard line with just 38 seconds remaining.  Despite the downpour, Rich Valley fans were starting to come alive – their Steers were 15 yards away from pay-dirt. 

On the next play Mike Keith dropped back to pass but an acrobatic defensive play halted the hopes of the Steers when the ball was intercepted at the two yard line.  The Blues ran out the clock.

Arnold felt his team had been beaten by a superb team.  “Parry McCluer is a big, quick team, but our kids played hard.  They beat a good football team,” said Arnold.

No one expected Rich Valley to even keep it close and yet the Steers, perhaps with the help of Mother Nature, held the Jones Brothers to just 121 yards rushing combined – the equivalent of what one of them averaged per game all season long.

Parry McCluer  7  0  0  0  - 7
Rich Valley  0  0  0  0  - 0

1^st Quarter
PM – Larry Jones 34 pass from Ricky Fox (Jeff Staton kick)

Stats

First Downs: PM 7, RV 6
Yards Rushing: PM 121, RV 46
Yards Passing: PM 101, RV 39
Pass.Comp.Int: PM 11-7-1, RV 5-2-1
Fumbles: PM 2, RV 2
Penalties: PM 9-110, RV 8-90

Original Articles written by Bristol Herald Couriers Bill Evans, Robert Anderson, and Robert Plick.