First Quarter

Sullivan North returns opening kickoff to its own 46-yard line.

North takes 6-0 lead on Eric Pearcy’s 5-yard touchdown run.

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Sullivan East evens score at 7-7 following Tyler Gaby’s 31-yard TD pass to John Ryan and Kole Bishops’ extra-point kick.

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North drives 59 yards in five minutes, riding Pearcy. Pearcy scores on a 6-yard rushing TD.

14-7 North, 2:18 left in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

Patriots first-and-goal at 7-yard line.

North stuffs two East runs. Gaby pressured on third down, called for intentional grounding. Patriots face fourth-and-goal from 37-yard line. East punts.

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North takes over at its own 40-yard line with 11:05 remaining in second period.

Raiders march 60 yards in less than 7 minutes. Pearcy runs for a 7-yard TD and Matt Washington punctuates the drive with a 2-yard run for a two-point conversion.

North 22-7, 3:29 left in first half.

Raiders 22-7 at halftime.

Third Quarter

North opens up another run-based, clock-eating scoring drive. Matt Washington runs for a 5-yard touchdown.

Raiders 30-7, 4:35 third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

North’s Chris Gilliam runs for a 2-yard touchdown. Extra-point attempt fails.

Raiders 36-7, 7:53 fourth quarter.

Posted by Brian T. Smith
High School Sports

All summer, the Bristol Herald Courier has been featuring Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee natives that played in the major leagues in previous eras.

Former Sullivan South High School star Dan Wright, who pitched for the Chicago White Sox earlier this decade, recalled his major league memories in Monday’s edition of the BHC.

Wright currently lives in Arkansas and is a scout for the Seattle Mariners’ organization.

While doing this series, I’ve found out that the toughest part is tracking down the local legends that are now spread out across the United States.

For example, Wythe County native and former Kansas City A’s ace pitcher Jim Archer is now a successful businessman in Florida. Abingdon native Gail Harris, an ex-first baseman for the New York Giants and Detroit Tigers, now resides in Northern Virginia. Meanwhile, former Reds pitcher Harry Perkowski was born in Dante, Va. before moving to West Virginia, where he currently resides.

I am currently trying to track the whereabouts of former Sullivan Central High School star Garland Kiser. Kiser was a left-handed pitcher for the Cougars in the mid-1980s, who pitched briefly for the Cleveland Indians in 1991.

I heard that he now lived in Ohio but had no luck with that lead. I also heard Louisiana, but have had no luck. If you can help or know somebody that played with Kiser in high school, please feel free to pass it along.

Also, I am sure there are readers out there that are related to or know about Deacon Phillipe. Phillipe was born in Rural Retreat and later had a memorable career as a pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the early part of the 20th century. I would love to hear your stories and memories.

Please feel free to e-mail me at

Posted by Tim Hayes