Wildcats have lot to play for

The Blacksburg defense will have its hands full against Landrum's running attack today. Today's game T.A. Campbell Stadium is about more than two 1-7 teams struggling to keep playoff hopes alive.

The game between Blacksburg and visiting Landrum pits two first-year coaches who are looking for improvement from their teams.

"We just need to play solid football," Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss said.

The Cardinals did just that last Friday in posting their first win over the season. The Cardinal offense exploded for 21 first-quarter points to down Southside Christian 48-7 and even their region record at 1-1.

Freshman quarterback Brandon Cannon sparked the offense with a 69-yard run and a 27-yard scoring toss to Tyler Logan.

"He's a tough kid," Landrum coach Russ Mahaffey said. "He gives you all he has every play."

Cannon isn't the Cardinals' only threat. Tyler Burrell is the team's leading rusher with 330 yards. He's also had a couple of long runs nullified by penalties.

"They have some running backs who can take it to the house," Moss said.

Both Burrell and Cannon pull double duty as linebackers on defense.

Moss said there's a lot to like about the Cardinals.

"They have played some very good football teams," the Blacksburg coach said. "They have been real close. They could have beaten Whitmire and looked good against Ninety-Six. Their kids play hard and don't give up."

Mahaffey was a longtime assistant before taking the reins as head coach this season.

"We haven't changed very much from the seven previous years," he said.

Blacksburg (0-2 in the region) is coming off a disappointing 28-0 loss at Whitmire.

The Wildcats committed five costly turnoverrs, including three deep inside Wolverine territory to thwart potential scoring drives.

"We got to hold on to the football and not turn it over," Moss said.

Both teams need a victory to bolster their playoff hopes. Mahaffey said a Landrum victory coupled with a Christ Church win over Whitmire would give them a shot at one of the top two spots in the region.

Blacksburg, on the other hand, likely needs to beat Landrum and Southside Christian to qualify for postseason play.

"If we win the next two that would give us enough points to finish third in the region," Moss said.

But neither coach is looking past tonight's game.

"We are just getting ready for Landrum," Moss said.

Mahaffey said his team can't afford to look past the Wildcats.

"They are scrappy," the Landrum coach said. "They have some good athletes. They have a very good coach that I have a lot of respect for. Blacksburg will be sound and they'll play hard."

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at T.A. Campbell Stadium.