By LLOYD COMBS
PILGRIM'S KNOB, Va. — It has yet to translate into wins, and it may or may not be reflected in Friday's outcome at Honaker, but Twin Valley is getting better, and better results should eventually follow.
The Panthers took a lead into the fourth quarter at St. Paul in its second football game of the year before dropping a 26-13 decision to the Deacons Friday.
It was the program's 13th straight setback, dating back to the end of the 2006 campaign. The biggest factor in last week's loss was easy to trace: three lost fumbles inside the St. Paul 20-yard line.
The otherwise improved play of this team on both sides of the ball is also easy to see. It's certainly not lost on knowledgable first-year coach Tommy Crigger, a former standout at Grundy and Emory & Henry, and a former assistant coach at Magna Vista, Patrick Henry and Virginia High.
Twin Valley amassed 316 yards rushing last week, 158 by senior speedster Garrett Horne, and had 355 yards of total offense.
"We didn't punt one time, we moved the ball every time we had it," Crigger said. "Turnovers killed us. You can't turn the ball over five times and expect to win. "But, overall, we played better than we did the week before and we're a whole lot better than we were the first day of practice. We're doing a lot of things better."
That has translated into a new batch of younger players who have signed on since school began, and new interest among Twin Valley fans.
"We packed our bleachers again for the second straight week," Crigger added. "We really appreciate all the support we get from the community.
"The kids are playing hard, they're learning and getting better. We're not winning yet, but we're getting better."
Now comes the Panthers' biggest test to date: Honaker. The defending Black Diamond District champs are hungry for a win after opening the season with losses to two very good football teams, Lebanon and Richlands.
"This is our first big test," Crigger said. "We'll just prepare like we have the last two weeks. We have to come out and play and we have to play hard and not give up."
