Wildcat coach likes chances in region

Blacksburg coach Robbie Blanton said a difficult nonregion schedule has his team ready for region foes. Forget about the Wildcats’ 0-5 mark. Blacksburg coach Robbie Blanton believes his team has a chance to claim the region crown.

“We do have a chance to win the region,” Blanton said. “It’s because of the competition that we play.”

The Wildcats have played a difficult non-region schedule, including undefeated Indian Land, and 4-1 Ware Shoals as well as Class 2A schools Woodruff, Chesnee and Chapman.

That high level of competition should prepare the Wildcats for the region slate, which begins Friday at home against Christ Church.

But Blanton adds the Wildcats must improve their execution and eliminate mistakes that have cost them a chance to win games.

“When you go back and look at how many times we have punted the ball it isn’t very many,” he said. “That’s because we have either turned the ball over or we haven’t converted fourth down plays. We’ve been making mental errors.”

The Wildcats fumbled three times in their loss Friday at Ware Shoals.

Blanton said there are plenty of reasons for optimism heading into the region, especially on offense, where quarterback Dustin Byars and running back Marvin Ford have emerged as playmakers.

On Friday, Byars completed 17 of 26 passes for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. Byars also has shown signs of becoming a running threat, pounding out 62 yards on just 14 carries against Ware Shoals. Ford carried 12 times for 65 yards on Friday.

“I think we’ve gotten better offensively because we’ve been able to run the ball,” he said. “Both Dustin and Marvin have run the ball well.”

Blanton also expects his Wildcats to elevate their level of play for the region games.

“I think they’ll be more hungrier for a win in the region,” he said. “I just think we are going to see a different team on Friday.”