Newell challenges struggling GW to win Western Valley District

George Washington is reeling after being outscored 114-19 combined in losses to undefeated opponents the last three weeks and matching its longest losing streak since dropping three straight contests to start the 2002 season.

But Eagles coach Dan Newell remains resolute and defiant after the Eagles’ latest loss, a 42-6 thrashing at the hands of Battlefied at J.T. Christopher Stadium in Danville, as GW (3-3) prepares to open Western Valley District play at Patrick Henry (2-4) on Friday night.

“I think they want to try to turn their program around with a signature win,” Newell said, “but I’ve got news for them and everybody else out there that we may be a little bit down right now, but we’ve been hammering that anvil for a long time against three really quality football teams, and I challenge anybody else in the Western Valley District to stand up to that kind of competition and fight like we have. And we’ll find out if it polished us up or wore us down, and we’ll find out in a hurry.”

GW appeared awfully worn down against Battlefield, a team now ranked No. 4 in Virginia by maxpreps.com. The Eagles managed just 122 total yards of offense against the Bobcats, with 56 of those yards coming on consecutive plays in the second quarter that accounted for GW’s lone score. GW recorded three first downs in the game, including one on a Battlefield penalty, and the Eagles themselves were hit with 10 penalties for 73 yards.

The GW defense was on its heels the whole game, too, as seven of Battlefield’s 10 drives started at midfield or in GW territory. The Bobcats began another drive at their own 45.

The demoralizing loss followed a 41-0 drubbing at Amherst County and a 31-13 defeat at the hands of West Forsyth (N.C.) in the previous two games. GW hasn’t lost four straight contests since the start of the 1987 season.

“We told the kids in the huddle there (after the Battlefield loss) that it doesn’t make a difference if you’re 0-6, or 3-3, 4-2, 5-1 or 6-0 (at this point in the season),” Newell said. “It’s the same spot that you’re in. You need to win the district and you need to get to six wins…

“You’ve got four opponents left. You win three of those ball games, you’re in (the playoffs),” he said. “If you win all four of them you’re Western Valley champs and you’re going to host a football game, regardless of all the stuff that’s happened to us. We’ve certainly got our work cut out for us, but I think it’s something that we can correct. I feel pretty good about our chances. There’s certainly nobody in our district that looks like the last three teams we played. We’ll be ready.”