EVHS finalizes football schedule

Without a district slate and with most Virginia teams in the middle of two-year game contracts, Eastern View High School activities director Mark Settle knew putting together the Cyclones’ inaugural football schedule might be a challenge. 

In the end, it all came together nicely.
 
The Cyclones will play several local teams, including CCHS, Madison and Fauquier County’s newest school, Kettle Run. 

Scheduling was difficult because most teams enter in to two-year contracts for football. Next year will be the second year for most Virginia teams. EVHS will play in the Battlefield District in most sports next season and in football in the fall of 2009. But options were limited for the football team this fall.

“We wanted our athletes to play a true varsity schedule,” Settle said. “My hopes were to fill our schedule with public schools. We were able to do that. It was a challenge but it got done.”
Local fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the county’s second high school play in its first season. The Cyclones host seven home games, including a preseason benefit game against CCHS Aug. 22.

Settle had hoped to schedule a regular-season matchup between the two county high schools, but CCHS is locked into its 2008 schedule.

So instead the teams will play a week before the season opens. While the game won’t count in the standings, Settle said it will be the first step toward building an exciting county rivalry. Plans aren’t finalized, but he is trying to arrange entertainment outside of the game action.

“We’re going to treat it as close to Friday Night Lights as you can get it,” Settle said. “It’ll be nice to establish a rivalry.”

Now that the football team has a schedule, Settle is turning his attention to the coaching search. EVHS coaching positions in five sports, including football, are posted on the VHSL Web site.

Two current CCHS coaches have already accepted coaching jobs at the new school. Peggy Allen will head the Cyclones field hockey program. Paul Lutz will coach cross country.

Settle said the open football coaching job has garnered a lot of attention nationwide. Now that the jobs are posted, he hopes to move into the interview and evaluation process quickly.

“I’ve heard from a lot of folks across the country,” he said. “ In the coaching ranks, word travels.”

It’s been a busy few months for Settle since he assumed AD duties in late February. He’s close to finalizing schedules for all fall teams. He expects booster club officers to be elected at the next booster meeting April 29.

“It’s starting to come together,” he said.

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or

EVHS football schedule (All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted, Home games in BOLD)
Aug. 22 Culpeper (Benefit game)

Aug. 29 at Louisa

Sept. 5 Bye

Sept. 12 William Monroe

Sept. 19 at Clarke County

Sept. 26 at Kettle Run

Oct. 3 Caroline

Oct. 10 Madison

Oct. 17 George Mason

Oct. 24 at Washington H.S. (Charleston, W. Va.), 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Kettle Run

Nov. 7 Martinsburg (W. Va.)