Below are the capsule previews of Saturday’s Heritage-Salem, and George Wythe-Franklin state football semifinals that will appear in The Roanoke Times.

Check Saturday’s paper for a feature story on Heritage coach Brad Bradley and Salem coach Stephen Magenbauer, who were boyhood friends and high school teammates at Salem until fate intervened.

GROUP AA DIVISION 4
HERITAGE (11-1) at SALEM (12-0)
Today, 1 p.m.
Nicknames: Heritage (Pioneers), Salem (Spartans).
Coaches: Heritage (Brad Bradley), Salem (Stephen Magenbauer).
Last week: Heritage won 12-7 at Amherst County. Salem defeated Christiansburg 21-7 at home.
Playoff history: HERITAGE – Pioneers won the 2002 Division 4 state title under current Franklin County coach Chris Jones with a 34-7 victory over Lafayette.…Pioneers won just one postseason game from 2003-11.…Heritage reached the 1997 Division 4 final, losing 16-7 to Spotsylvania. Lost in first round to Amherst County last year. SALEM – Has won six Division 4 titles, winning in 1996, ’97, ’98, 2000, ’04 and ’05. Is looking for its 50th postseason victory today. … Last week’s region title was its 13th. … Has split two postseason games with Heritage, winning 26-0 in 1998 and losing 20-14 in 1997.
2012 statistics: HERITAGE – QB Javontae Parrish (131-223, 2,206 yards passing, 25 TDs, 8 INTs, 235-1,266 rushing, 17 TDs), WR I’Shantii Rosser (45-755, 5 TDs), WR-DB Demonte Elliot (32-494, 9 TDs, 7 defensive INTs), WR Austin Fitzgerald (15-229, 3 TDs), LB Uriah Hammond (59 solos, 6 1/2 TFLs), LB Elijah Gallagher (20 solos, 6 sacks). SALEM – QB Matt Hill (120-183, 1,593 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs), WR-CB Chad Fisher (60-872, 8 TDs, 7 defensive INTs), RB Devante Payne (159-667, 9 TDs rushing, 11-123, 3 TDs receiving), RB Arius McConnell (113-560, 7 TDs rushing, 15-250, 2 TDs receiving). LB JaMal Holland (46 solos, 2 1/2 sacks), DE Zack Hill (42 solos, 6 1/2 sacks).
Quick kicks: Bradley and Magenbauer have won two state titles apiece as head coaches, Bradley taking Division 1 crowns in 2002 and 2005 at William Campbell, and Magenbauer winning back-to-back Division 4 titles in 2004-05.…Salem and Heritage are tied 4-4 in their all-time series, last meeting in the regular season in 1989.…Both are former Group AAA schools.…Heritage’s lone loss was 19-17 to unbeaten Brookville.…The Pioneers beat William Byrd 35-0 in a Region III semifinal.…Salem beat Byrd 28-21 in the regular season.…Salem’s last state semifinal was a 48-35 loss at Amherst County in 2007.…Tickets for today’s game are $10.
Next week: The winner plays either Briar Woods or Courtland in the Dec. 8 state final at Liberty University.
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GROUP A DIVISION 2
GEORGE WYTHE (12-1) at FRANKLIN (13-0)
Today, 1:30 p.m.
Nicknames: George Wythe (Maroons), Franklin (Broncos).
Coaches: George Wythe (H.S. Ingo), Franklin (Darren Parker).
Last week: George Wythe defeated Clintwood 7-0 at home. Franklin defeated Altavista 41-11 at home.
Playoff history: GEORGE WYTHE – Beat Buckingham County 26-12 in the 2002 Division 2 state final under Donnie Pruitt. … Lost 14-7 to Courtland in the 1983 AA final under Paul Wheeler. … Has 19-13 record in 15 postseason appearances. … Ousted 23-13 by Clintwood in the third round of the 2011 playoffs. FRANKLIN – Beat Clintwood 28-20 in the 2008 Division 1 final. … Beat J.I. Burton 41-0 in the 2004 championship. … Lost to Riverheads 35-8 in 2010 state semifinal. … Broncos have 11 straight playoff trips, but none before 2000.
2012 statistics: GEORGE WYTHE – QB Jordan Byrd (50 of 87, 769 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs), RB Dominique Crockett (137-1,211, 23 TDs), RB Trey Skeens (134-1,148, 11 TDs), FB Justin Snavely (71-511, 4 TDs, 30 TFLs at LB), TE-DE Hardy Lester (22-385, 3 TDs, 73 solos, 16 TFLs, 13 1/2 sacks), FS Jalen France (111 solo tackles, 51 assists), DB Isaac Baltazaar (6 INTs). FRANKLIN – TB Travis Brown (5-10, 175, sr.) is the leading rusher. … MLB JaVonte’ Blacknall (6-1, 195, sr.) is the leading tackler. … LaQuadric Pittman (5-11, 170, soph.) is the quarterback.
Quick kicks: Franklin’s 41-point total in last week’s win over Altavista was its lowest output this season.…Broncos have scored 60 or more three times including the 62-20 victory over Tri-Rivers rival and fellow Division 1 semifinalist Sussex Central.…George Wythe PK Andrew Storms has belted 43 of 71 kickoffs into the end zone. … France has eight TDs including four in the opening round 46-13 victory over Eastern Montgomery.…Franklin is one of the seven teams from Region A to have won a state championship. Franklin has two of the 11 titles claimed by teams from Region A. All the Region A championships have come since 1990, five years after Group A split into two divisions.…George Wythe has rushed for 4,090 yards and 52 TDs.
Next week: The winner plays either Honaker or Sussex Central in the Dec. 8 state final at Salem Stadium.

Troy Helton of Covington and Owen Deacon of James River have taken top honors on the All-Pioneer District football team.

Helton was named offensive player of the year, while Deacon won the defensive player of the year award. James River’s Philip King was named coach of the year.

Click here to see the all-district team.

William Fleming High School football coach Lee Johnson said Wednesday that he has resigned from his coaching position after three seasons with the Colonels.

Johnson posted a 2-28 overall record at Fleming after he was hired in the spring of 2010. The Colonels finished 1-9 in 2012.

Prior to coming to William Fleming, Johnson was the head football coach at North Cross, leading the Raiders to the VIS Division III championship in 2008. He was the head coach at Glenvar from 2002-06.

Johnson said he plans to remain as a physical education teacher at Fleming.

Roanoke City Schools has posted the coaching vacancy on its web site.

Rockbridge County quarterback Porter Abell has been named the offensive player of the year on the All-Region III football team released this afternoon.

Northside nose tackle DeAnthony Muse and Heritage linebacker Uriah Hammond have been named the co-defensive players of the year.

The team is below:

REGION III
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Center – Dallas Harper, Broadway, 5-9, 241, sr.; Guard – Cody Shifflett, Fort Defiance, 5-10, 245, sr.; Curtis Fridley, Rockbridge County, 6-3, 275, sr.; Tackle – Andrew Williams, Lord Botetourt, 6-2, 264, sr.; Josh Mason, Brookville, 6-1, 245, jr.; Tight end – Hayden Rutherford, Harrisonburg, 6-1, 185, sr.; Wide receiver – I’Shantii Rosser, Heritage, 5-11, 181, sr.; Harold Buckner, Northside, 6-3, 175, jr.; Hilson Atkins, Brookville, 5-5, 150, sr.; Running back – Chris Thompson, Lord Botetourt, 5-11, 225, jr.; Randall Jones, Rustburg, 5-7, 165, jr.; Trevor Bostic, Broadway, 5-9,l 185, sr.; Quarterback – Porter Abell, Rockbridge County, 6-0, 185, sr.; Kendall BeCraft, Rockbridge County, 6-1, 170, sr.; Place-kicker – Alan Gutierrez, Brookville, 6-0, 190, jr.; Athlete – JeVontae Parrish, Heritage, 5-10, 165, sr. Read more »

 No more high school football in 2012 on Fridays this year following tonight’s games across the state.
 This has to be the best weather I’ve seen in 35 years of running around Southwest and Central Virginia football fields.
 Next week, the games move to Saturday. Timesland will have at least one state semifinalist: the winner of tonight’s game between Salem and Christiansburg.
 Who else will still be standing?

REGION IV DIVISION 4
CHRISTIANSBURG (8-4) at SALEM (11-0)
Today, 7:30 p.m.
    Coaches: Christiansburg (Tim Cromer), Salem (Stephen Magenbauer).
    Last week: Christiansburg won 31-6 at Hidden Valley. Salem defeated Pulaski County 17-14 at home.
    Playoff history: CHRISTIANSBURG – Has won the last three regional titles … Lost to Briar Woods 28-27 in 2011 Division 4 state final … Has made playoffs 15 times with 14-14 overall record … Made first playoff appearance in 1981. SALEM – Owns six state titles including back-to-back Division 4 crowns in 2004-05 in Magenbauer’s first two years … Most recent regional title was 2007 … Lost to Magna Vista 36-35 in OT last year in region semifinal … Has made playoffs 25 times with 48-18 overall record and 12 region titles.
    Statistics: CHRISTIANSBURG – WB Joey Augustin (180-1,303 rushing, 21 TDs), RB De’Quan Green-Gause (170-1,263, 18 TDs), PK Jake Hamley (48 of 49 PATs, 3 of 6 FGs), LB Calvin Graham (91 solos, 4 sacks), LB Seth Wills (94 solos). SALEM – RB Devante Payne (147-627, 8 rushing TDs), RB Arius McConnell (100-495, 6 TDs), QB Matt Hill (106-161, 1,409 yards, 14 TDs, 4 INTs), WR Chad Fisher (55-840, 8 TDs, 6 defensive INTs).
    Quick kicks: Salem defeated Christiansburg 14-13 in Salem Stadium on Oct. 19 as Payne ran for 107 yards … Payne returned last week from a knee injury he suffered against Hidden Valley … Since 2004, Christiansburg has beaten Salem more times (4) than any other team … Cromer is 4-5 all-time vs. Magenbauer including a 13-0 playoff win in 2009 … Magenbauer’s record at Salem is 96-15 … Christiansburg’s other losses were to Pulaski County (17-14), Hidden Valley (28-0) and Cave Spring (37-24) … Augustin started five games at QB before being moved back to halfback. 
    Next week: The winner plays at home against either Amherst County or Heritage.
    Prediction: Salem 24, Christiansburg 21. Read more »

 Giles swept the individual honors on the Three Rivers District football team.
 Ian Mann was named offensive player of the year, while Garrett Lee was named defensive player of the year. Kearsley Dillon was the lineman of the year, and Giles’ Jeff Williams was voted coach of the year.
 The team is listed below:

FOOTBALL
Three Rivers District
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback – Levi Mullins, Glenvar, 5-10, 165, jr.; Utility/QB – Hunter Marshall, Radford, 5-11, 180, sr.; Running back – Ian Mann, Giles, 6-0, 175, sr.; Brett Whitlow, Giles, 5-6, 144, soph.; Dorian Harris, Floyd County, 5-11, 217, sr.; Wide receiver – Shaquille Bonds, Glenvar, 5-11, 155, sr.; Cole Worrell, Floyd County, 5-10, 171, sr.; Ron Ford, Eastern Montgomery, 5-9, 160, soph.; Tight end – Tyler Vaught, Floyd County, 6-3, 197, sr.; Lineman – Kearsley Dillon, Giles, 5-11, 240, sr.; Jared Farmer, Giles, 6-2, 245, sr.; Jason Ford, Glenvar, 6-0, 255, jr.; Brent Webster, Floyd County, 5-11, 198, sr.; Center – Miller Collins, Giles, 6-0, 204, sr.; Place-kicker – Caleb Findley, Radford, 6-0, 160, sr.; Kick returner – Jeremy Martin, Glenvar, 5-8, 150, jr.; At-large – Cody Rhodes, Giles, 6-3, 252, jr. Read more »

Greetings from Saturday morning after Round 2 of the VHSL football playoffs. I rolled back in after midnight from Lynchburg where Brookville whipped Northside 29-7 in a Region III Division 3 semifinal and Bees quarterback Kendall BeCraft went over the 9,000-yard mark in career passing yardage.

Just as I returned home around 12:30 a.m., an excited Bristol Herald Courier sports writer and proud John Battle High School alumnus Tim Hayes called me about the Trojans’ 37-14 drubbing of Giles in a Division 2 West Section second-round game. Even so, Hayes was somewhat surprised at the outcome, but not as much as I was. That’s why John Battle’s win is No. 1 today on my list of things that caught my eye last night. Read more »

 This story went up yesterday and was in today’s paper, but in case you missed it Cave Spring sophomore Zac Foutz was sent home from the hospital after 15 days of treatment for fungal meningitis.
 Here it is:

 Zac Foutz, the Cave Spring High School athlete who contracted fungal meningitis from a tainted steroid injection, was released Monday from Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital following a 15-day stay.

 The 16-year-old football and basketball player at Cave Spring had been hospitalized at Roanoke Memorial since Oct. 27 after he was taken to the emergency room at LewisGale Medical Center the previous day.

 Zac received a steroid injection in mid-September at Roanoke’s Insight Imaging, whose supplier was the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass. The supply was later found to be tainted and has been tied to the deaths of 32 people in 19 states, including at least two in Virginia.

 Zac’s father, Ben Foutz, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Nov. 1 that his son was the youngest patient in the United States to contract fungal meningitis from the tainted injections.

 ”We are so blessed to have him home,” Ben Foutz said in an email. “The pediatric doctors and staff, infectious disease doctors and pediatric neurologist at Carilion did a wonderful job with Zac. We love those folks.

 ”It was a long and painful 15 days for Zac, but he is getting better; still has a long road in front of him.”

 Zac Foutz, a 6-foot-3-inch, 205-pound sophomore, played for Cave Spring in a football game Oct. 26 and intercepted three passes, returning one for a touchdown.

 Cave Spring has a Region IV Division 3 playoff game Friday in Richlands, but Zac Foutz will not play for the remainder of the Knights’ season.

 Cave Spring boys basketball coach Billy Hicks said he hopes Foutz can join the team this winter.

 ”We do not have a timeframe for his return to basketball,” Hicks said in an email. “We are hopeful that he will eventually be able to play this season.”

 The kickoff times have been set for the 14 second-round VHSL football playoff games this weekend.
 Thirteen of the games are Friday night with the exception being Galax’s trip to Honaker, which will be at 1 p.m. Saturday.
 Here is the full VHSL schedule:

DIVISION 6
Central Region
Meadowbrook (9-1) at Varina (9-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
L.C. Bird (10-0) at Hermitage (10-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Eastern Region
Salem-Virginia Beach (10-1) at Oscar Smith (10-1), TBA
Western Branch (9-2) at Ocean Lakes (11-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Northern Region
Chantilly (8-3) at Westfield (11-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Oakton (7-4) at Centreville (8-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Northwest Region
Battlefield (8-3) at C.D. Hylton (8-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Colonial Forge (9-2) at Stonewall Jackson (9-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. Read more »

It’s 10 a.m. Saturday, mere hours since I rolled back into Roanoke from Pearisburg where Giles senior Ian Mann put up more than three bills of rushing yardage and threw a TD pass in the Spartans’ 41-14 win over James River in the first round of the Division 2 West Section football playoffs.

Sixty-four games took place across Virginia on Friday night. Eight more are today, wrapping up the opening round. The Central Region finished its regular season last night. The Richmond-area Group AAA teams will join the playoff party next week.

Here’s what jumped out at me Friday:

1. Some Group A schools from the 434 and 804 struggled big-time.
Covington destroyed Rappahannock 51-28 on the road, while Parry McCluer handled Charles City 33-7 in the Division 1 East Section. Bath County nearly pulled off a second straight first-round win in losing at No. 2 seed Sussex Central 14-10. Also, in Division 2 Gretna was hammered at Grayson County 44-31, while Dan River got steamrolled 55-27 at home by Stuarts Draft. Division 2 East top seed Essex, unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in Group A by the AP, had a fairly close shave against 3-7 Luray before winning 28-12.
Was the Dogwood District that far down this year? It appears so after last night. William Campbell, at 3-7, saved some face for the league with a 41-22 win over West Point in Division 1 East. Altavista, seeded No. 4, hosts Surry County today, but this is an Altavista team that lost earlier this year to James River.
Conversely, the Shenandoah District had a pretty good night. Stuarts Draft, Riverheads and Wilson Memorial all had blowout wins. East Rockingham also won a Division 2 East game and will get its shot at Essex next week. The game between Riverheads and Wilson Memorial next week in Fishersville should be a monster. Read more »