Give my regards: JF in title tilt

  Jefferson Forest faces a tall order when it heads to Broadway this Friday.

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Jefferson Forest big man Michael Yost wraps up Staunton River running back Chris Tyree (33) as teammates Marcus Jones (2) and Gilberto Herrera arrive to lend a hand. Also shown is Tyree's teammate Trevion White (5).

In order to take the Region III (Division 4) title, the Cavs will have to knock off a formidable bunch of Gobblers.

Broadway, which stands 11-0 for the season, has been playing exceptional football lately.

In fact, the Gobblers have had but one close call this season, a 25-19 win over Harrisonburg.

In its romp through the Valley District, Broadway's wins average out to a score of 37-8.  

While Broadway may not have the football pedigree of a Salem or an Amherst, the Gobblers are no Johnny-come-lately crew, either.

Last year, they rang up a mark of 7-3, manhandled Heritage in the first round of the playoffs, and fell to Amherst in the Regional semifinal.

That team returned a bunch of talent, including a sizeable line.

Size, JF can handle.  It's quarterback Quinn Arbogast that is the big question mark here.  He's big, fast, strong and tough.  He can throw well and can run with the speed of an elk and the ferocity of a grizzly bear.

Often times, all Arbogast has to do is hand the ball to tailback Trevor Bostic and watch him do his magic.

If you're sensing a parallel between Broadway and JF, you're not alone.  The teams do bear an uncanny resemblance to one another.

JF throws Marcus Jones at you; Broadway counters with Arbogast.  The Cavs have a big line and Tyler Fowler.  The Gobblers have a bigger line, plus Bostic.

So, intangibles and nuances may very well decide this one.

The Cavs have been good about avoiding turnovers for the most part.  Keeping flubs down to a minimum might be a difference maker.

The Cavaliers also have to keep dumb penalties limited to, oh, zero.

As JF Head Coach Don Rice said, "When you're 11-0, you're a good football team."

Rice acknowledged that he expects Broadway to be physical, but vowed, "So will we."

One other factor might be the weather.  The Gobblers' home field has a reputation for drinking in rain like a sponge, creating swampy conditions. 

As to making the long trip north of Harrisonburg, Rice was nonplussed.  "That's part of making a run for a state championship," he said.  "It's winning anywhere."