Next week Chilhowie faces George Wythe in football game that will likely go a long way in determining the Hogoheegee District champion.

And if George Wythe is any better than Chilhowie, Virginia High certainly doesn’t want any part of the Maroons.

Looking every bit the part of a title contender, Chilhowie warmed up for its upcoming showdown by demolishing Virginia High 59-33 Friday night at Gene Malcolm Stadium.

“We were afraid we might be looking ahead a little so we tried to make sure all week that we didn’t,” said veteran Chilhowie coach Larry Russell, his club now 5-1.  “We just had a real good night tonight.”

No one had a better night than Brett Johnson, a touchdown machine who found the end zone six times against the Bearcats (3-3).

A speedy 5-foot-8, 175-pound transfer from Marion, Johnson ran 15 times for 134 yards and touchdowns of 1, 10 and 32 yards, while also catching scoring passes out of the backfield of 81, 58 and 25 yards.

A junior who now has 21 touchdowns in six games, Johnson produced 308 of Chilhowie’s 559 total offensive yards.

“This was a big game with big hype,” said Johnson, whose play resembles that of Emory & Henry standout Caleb Jennings.  “They put that article in the newspaper today [featuring Virginia High quarterback Charlieo Bradley] and I’m not trying to disrespect Virginia High, but we came out here to make a statement.”

Russell was certainly pleased to get Johnson from his Smyth County rival.

“His dad [A.J. Johnson] coaches with me so I’ve known Brett a couple years,” said Russell, whose club has now beaten VHS three straight years.  “He’s fit right in with us.  The kids have accepted him and he’s accepted us.

“But we’ve got other kids too, and they all play very well together.”

Johnson got plenty of help from fellow junior running back Aaron Conley, who scored on runs of 2 and 35 yards while gaining 124 yards on 15 carries.  Meanwhile, heady senior quarterback Rhett Sturgill completed five of nine passes for 189 yards and three scores.

VHS coach Chris Thurman tipped his hat, while bemoaning a Bearcat defensive unit which has allowed nearly 150 points the last three weeks.

“Chilhowie came out and executed their game plan well and got after us,” the second-year VHS mentor said.  “But, like I’ve said, we don’t tackle.  It’s not like we don’t work on it, but we don’t tackle.

“At some point, when you don’t tackle, you get blown out.  And that’s what happened tonight.”

Chilhowie grabbed leads of 6-0 and 12-7 before settling in with a 26-14 halftime advantage when Johnson took a crossing-pattern pass from his slotback position, made two nice moves and raced 58 yards to the end zone.

VHS, which got three touchdowns from Bradley and 108 yards rushing from Elliot Johnson, could get no closer in the second half.

The Bearcats did receive a good game from Josh Jordan, who had kickoff returns of 71 and 77 yards.

The Warrior defense, led by 6-3, 230-pound linebacker Tyler Austin, held Bradley to 74 yards rushing on 20 carries.

Chilhowie                       12                   14                   20                   13–59

Virginia High                  7                      7                      7                      12–33

Scoring Summary

C-B.Johnson 10 run (kick failed)

VH-Ramey 36 pass from Bradley (Frye kick)

C-B.Johnson 81 pass from Rh.Sturgill (pass failed)

C-B.Johnson 1 run (Ty.Austin pass from Rh.Sturgill)

VH-Bradley 1 run (Frye kick)

C-B.Johnson 58 pass from Rh.Sturgill (run failed)

C-B.Johnson 32 run (Ashby kick)

C-Conley 35 run (Ashby kick)

V-Bradley 6 run (Frye kick)

C-Conley 2 run (kick failed)

V-Bradley 18 run (kick failed)

C-B.Johnson 25 pass from Rh.Sturgill (Ashby kick)

C-Croson 13 run (kick failed)

Team Stats

First Downs: C 21, VH 11; Rushes-Yards: C 48-370, VH 38-189; Passing Yards: C 189, VH 96; Passes (C-A-I): C 5-9-0, VH 4-16-2; Fumbles-Lost: C 4-0, VH 0-0; Penalties: C 4-20, VH 6-65; Punts: C 3-25, VH 2-42.5.

ROANOKE TIMES

Chilhowie 59, Virginia High 33

BRISTOL -- Brent Johnson ran for 134 yards and three TDs on 15 carries and also caught three passes for 164 yards and three TDs to lead the Warriors (5-1) over the Bearcats (3-3).

Rhett Sturgill completed 5 of 9 passes for 190 yards and three TDs for the Warriors, while teammate Aaron Conley ran for 120 yards and two TDs on 15 carries.

Chilhowie 12 14 20 13--59

Virginia High 7 7 7 12--33

C -- Johnson 10 run (kick failed)

V -- Ramey 36 pass from Bradley (Frye kick)

C -- Johnson 81 pass from Sturgill (pass failed)

C -- Johnson 1 run (Austin pass from Sturgill)

V -- Bradley 1 run (Frye kick)

C -- Johnson 42 pass from Sturgill (run failed)

C -- Johnson 32 run (Ashby kick)

C -- Conley 35 run (Ashby kick)

V -- Bradley 6 run (Frye kick)

C -- Conley 2 run (kick failed)

V -- Bradley 18 run (kick failed)

C -- Johnson 25 pass from Sturgill (Ashby kick)

C -- Croson 13 run (kick failed)