Blacksburg moves to Class 4A after state title season

Bruins return star running back Cole Beck

Cole Beck looks on at Blacksburg High School football practice.

BLACKSBURG, Va. –    The Blacksburg Bruins are Tuesday's stop on the WSLS 1st and 10 High School Camp Tour. Blacksburg was 4-5 after nine games last year, but they finished the season with a win over rival Christiansburg to wrap up the regular season at .500.

     The Bruins advanced into the 3A west bracket-and never lost again.  Four playoff wins later the Bruins were taking home the Virginia High School League 3A title despite a five loss season.  This year they return senior running back Cole Beck, who is carrying a slew of Division 1 offers into the season.

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    But Blacksburg will not get to defend its 3A title, as the Bruins move up  one classification to the 4A ranks for 2017.   Despite the jump the goal remains the same.

    "It was excitement for the entire off-season. It was great numbers in the weight room and just that confidence that you take from it but at the same time we try to move past it as soon as possible and we definitely have at this point. These guys that were on that team, like I said, have some confidence from that, but at this point the seniors are gone and this is an entirely new team," says Blacksburg coach Thad Wells.   

     "It's a different year, a different division but still the same goal, and pretty much the same team. So we're all motivated especially coming off a state championship. Tons of excitement so we are ready to go," says Josh Van Gilder, Blacksburg linebacker.

     The Bruins open the season with rival Giles on August 25.