With high school football in full swing, I thought it would be good to start recognizing some outstanding players each week in the Williamson Daily News coverage area.

Let’s start with Mingo Central’s Joe May. The senior all-purpose back rushed for 184 yards on 25 carries and four touchdowns in the Miner’s 34-12 upset win over River View.

The entire defense for Mingo Central stepped up big. They held the Raiders to 12 first half points and shut them out in the second half. River View had scored 52 points the week before and came into the game 2-0.

Belfry’s Justin Johnson, a junior tailback, rushed for 217 yards on only 13 tries and four TDs in the Pirate’s easy 53-12 win over Prestonsburg.

Tug Valley’s Corey Dillon caught a pair of touchdown passes, including the game winner. Also, Aaron Muncy rushed for 93 yards and a TD and caught four passes for 93 yards and a score in the Panther’s 34-28 win over Mt. View.

For Sheldon Clark, Tyler O’ Connor ran the ball 17 times for 146 yards and three TDs in their 48-34 win over Pikeville.

Short stuff:

Middle school football action is also in full swing in the Mingo-Pike area. The varsity 8^th and 7^th Grade squad at Belfry Middle is undefeated and will play Pike Central tonight. The Little Pirates are 5-0 on the season.

… A reminder to all the middle school coaches, please call or e-mail your scores and stats in to me at 304-235-4242, ext. 33 or klovern@williamsondailynews.com. We’ll be glad to get the games in the paper.

… There are some good high school games on tap this week. Belfry travels over to Pikeville and Tug Valley plays host to Twin Valley, Va. on Friday night. Mingo Central will play host to Westside on Saturday night in a reemergence of the King Coal Bowl. Some schedules had this game listed for Friday night, but it will be Saturday, September 15.

… The Williamson High School Hall of Fame will have their induction ceremony this Saturday at the Mountaineer Hotel. It starts at 12 noon, but you must purchase tickets and RSVP. To purchase tickets to the WHS Hall of Fame weekend event contact Cecil Hatfield at 304-235-4001 or Joyce Roddy at 606-237-1087 or e-mail Roddy at jlroddy37@suddenlink.net as soon as possible.

… There will be two races this weekend for runners during the King Coal Festival. The Coal Dust Run is Friday evening at the Coal House. Then the annual Frank O’Brien 5-K race will be Saturday morning at the community college in West Williamson.