Lambert wins top honors

BASTIAN, Va. — With Bluefield, Graham, Princeton and the other big high school programs in the two Virginias, the little guys like Bland County sometimes get lost.

However, Jacob Lambert’s performance on Friday night in the Bears’ 34-14 victory over Patrick Henry stood out, earning him the Pocahontas Coal Association/ Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Week award, now starting its 10th year.

Lambert was humble about his performance, despite racking up 132 yards rushing on 15 carries, including scoring two touchdowns.

“I’m just a little part in this big offense,” Lambert said. “It was really great to help my team out.”

While Lambert might claim to be a small part in the offense, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior is a big part of the Bears.

“I don’t think he comes off the field,” Bland County head coach Harris Hart said. “He’s on all our special teams, starts on both offense and defense. He means a whole lot.”

Lambert cites the conditioning program at Bland County for allowing him to do so much.

“I enjoy it,” Lambert said. “It’s humbling for me to play every position out there.”

Humbling to him, important to others. Lambert is also an important part of Bland’s special teams, including kicking extra points.

“I don’t really think about it anymore,” said Lambert, of kicking an extra point after scoring a touchdown. “It was kind of hard my sophomore and junior years, but I’m use to it now.”

With Lambert playing numerous positions on the field, there is always a chance for injury. Last year’s Bland County squad was decimated by injuries, leading to a 2-8 record. Hart hopes the same will not happen this year with such a small team.

This season though, things have gotten off to a better start with their victory over Patrick Henry. Last year the Bears fell 26-8 to the Rebels.

“It represents these young men have matured,” Hart said. “We’ve got good senior leadership which we need to be successful.”

According to Hart, Lambert is exactly the type of kid to lead this team on and off the field.

”In the classroom, he’s a good student,” Hart said . “He’s always wanting to learn why thing work, not just how.”

Hart says Lambert’s abilities in the classroom translate over to the football field.

“First off, the leadership by example comes to mind,” Hart said. “He goes all out from the beginning of practice to the end doing things the right way with a good attitude and a smile on his face. He makes it fun to be a coach.”

While Hart enjoys coaching Lambert, the first player of the week for 2010 has a great time playing at Bland County.

“I love everyone here,” Lambert said. “We’re a brotherhood. We’ve been together since we were eight or nine years old. It’s really a great place to play football.”

As for his future, Lambert’s options are still open. He wants to go somewhere close to home, with his sights set on Concord to play baseball.

Lambert and his Bland County teammates will travel on Friday for the second of three road games to start the season, with a visit on tap to Craig County.

— Contact Jonathan Greene

at jgreene@bdtonline.com

Honorable mention

Bland County (34-14 over Patrick Henry): Dylan Kidd, 11-86, 2 td rush, 6-10, 62 yards passing, 5 tackles; Jakob Haun, 9 tackles, 2 sack; Brady Dillow, 10 tackles, 2 sacks.

Bluefield (48-0 over Graham): Levi Beckett, 7-8, 148 yards pass, 7-42 rush; Brad Fox, 7-107 rush, 2td; Byron Steptoe, 7-81 rush, 1 td, 4-68 receiving; Trey Williams, 11-46 rush, 2 td.

Giles (30-7 loss to Blacksburg): Brad Kessinger, 18-90 rush, 1 td, 4-9, 37 yards pass, interception on defense; Adam Baker, 19-83 rush.

Graham (48-0 loss to Graham): Aaron Davidson, 11-12, 69 yards pass. Lamont Edwards, 3 catches; Aderrius Jackson, 4 catches.

Grundy (51-6 over Twin Valley): Tyler Berglowe, 11-87 rush, 3 td; John Kelly, 3 td; Dillon O’Quinn, 2 td receptions; Wayne Mutter, 35-yard FG, 6 extra points; Tyler McClanahan, interception return for td.

Honaker (20-7 loss to Lebanon): Chaz Miller, 110 yards passing.

James Monroe (46-8 over Narrows): Matthew Romanello, 6-83 rush, 2 td; Bryan Calix-Herrera, 35-yard FG, 5 extra points; Jordan McKinney, 1 td run.

Mount View (52-18 loss to River View): Rahee Pound, kick return td; Maurice Brown, kick return td.

PikeView (47-24 over Summers County): Ben Nester, 9-99 rush, 2 td, 2-8, 57 yards passing, 1 td; Robby Samosky, 7-97 rush, 1 td; David Keen, 2-57 receiving, 1 td; Tyler Farley, kick return 1 td, 4-28 rush, 1 td; Tommy Symns, fumble recovery for 1 td.

Princeton (28-19 loss to Spring Valley): O.B. Pannell, td run, td catch; Corey Quick, td pass, td run.

Richlands (31-0 over Gate City): Reece Strong, 5-6, 60 yards passing, 2 td, 32-yard FG, 4 extra points; Bradley Strong, 2 td receptions; Devon Johnson, 8-74 rush, 1 td; Albert Fajardo, fumble recovery for td; Hunter Brown, 5 tackles; Jeremy McGlothlin, 4 tackles.

River View (52-18 over Mount View): Cody Underwood, td pass; Jacob Muncy, td pass; Leshon Benton, td reception.

Summers County (47-24 loss to PikeView): Isaiah Brown, 8-75 rush, 1td; T.J. Smith, 3-7, 38 yards passing, 1 td pass.

Tazewell (28-0 loss to George Wythe): Mikal Moore, 19-71 rush; Jalen Jordan, 4 catches.

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