Cyclones determined to close regular season with a victory

By Shane Mettlen

Published: November 7, 2008

Eastern View’s seniors are hoping it isn’t the last game of their high school careers when the Cyclones play host to Martinsburg (W.Va.) tonight. But to even have a shot at extending its season, Eastern View is going to have to beat the big, bad Bulldogs.

Martinsburg and Eastern View come into the game with identical 7-2 records and the Bulldogs have already qualified for the playoffs in West Virginia’s largest classification. Eastern View has no shot at the postseason if it loses or if 7-2 Tabb beats winless Warhill. But even if they are clinging to the slimmest of hopes, the Cyclones are acting as if tonight is a playoff game.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve done this season,” senior running back Stevie Strother said. “If it is our last game I just hope we can go out with a win. We want to go to the playoffs and we think if we do go to the playoffs we could be a good team there. We’re just hoping for the best and waiting and watching.”

Finishing the season with a victory isn’t going to be an easy feat for Greg Hatfield’s EVHS team. The Cyclones have gotten by on speed most of the season with limited size up front. Martinsburg, on the other hand, averages 270 pounds across the offensive line and gives the ball to a pair of running backs that weigh 225 and 235 pounds each.

Kameron Puller and Ryan Rowland have each cracked the 1,000-yard mark this season and will test the Eastern View defense led upfront by sophomore trio Tyler Dean, Belial Williams and Lewis Wilkins.

The Cyclones could also get back senior offensive tackle/ defensive end Heath Brown, who missed last week’s win over Kettle Run with a leg injury.
“They are big and physical and they have a young quarterback that moves around really well,” Hatfield said. “I’d like to be healthier going into the game, but I’m not going to cry about that too much.“

Even if Brown returns to the lineup Eastern View could be without starting quarterback Cody Whitlock and center Cody Lacy, who are banged up and freshman Moses Washington, who has been a backup running back and special teams player, broke his leg in practice Thursday.

Hatfield, who came to the first-year school from Fauquier, would like to earn another game so he can have some more time with Eastern View’s first senior class.

“It’s a sad time for me because we’re just getting to know these kids,” Hatfield said. “We’re just starting to develop our relationships and the trust and love you develop when you compete hard.”

For Strother, who needs 183 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for the season, he’s looking forward to what might be Eastern View’s biggest challenge yet.

“We know it’s going to be two good teams going against each other and we know we have to play our best game of the season to get a win,” Strother said.

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or