Everybody across the state wraps up the regular season this week and playoffs start next weekend. So in many cases, there are district titles to be settled, big games to be played, ratings points to be earned, and the Shenandoah is no different. In our case, all four finale games would appear to have solid favorites on paper, but yet I think you could make the argument that at least three of the four are not necessarily slam dunks. So let's take a look......
Stuarts Draft at Riverheads.....The Gladiators have a shot to wrap up a second straight 10-0 regular season and possibly hold on to their narrow lead over Essex for the number one seed in 1-A East. There are still many possibilities about that issue, as I understand it. As for SD, the Cougars are hovering somewhere around the 8/9 spot in the 2-A East ratings, which will make a difference between hosting a first round game and traveling for one. So for that reason alone, the visitors just might pull out all the stops. This is a county rivalry where anything can happen, so even though Riverheads is the favorite on paper, the game will be played out on the field. I predict a 2-3 touchdown Big Red win but I have not called my bookie about it.
East Rock at Buffalo Gap.......This is the second feature game of the evening and plenty will be at stake for the home team here as well. A week or two ago, they were atop the standings in 2-A East, but even though they continue to win impressively, they have apparently been passed by both Clarke and Goochland. So again, who knows where that race will end up? East Rock on the other hand appears to be in the playoff field and I don't think a loss to the Bison will change that, but they will be a lower seed and travel. As for this game, the Bison should be favored by a couple of scores, but they cannot relax by any stretch. ER has topped the 40-50 point mark in more than half their games this season and they are quite capable of pulling off this upset.
Luray at Stonewall.......The Dogs are middle-of-the-pack in the 1-A East playoffs and will not need this win. Stonewall on the other hand has had another tough year and is probably more than ready for basketball. But something tells me this one could still be competitive. Sure the Dogs will be 4-5 touchdown favorites, but don't be surprised if the Generals hang around for at least the first half and make it interesting. What have they got to lose?
Page at Wilson......That leaves this game as the only one in which I personally don't see any suspense. Wilson fans have seen their team lose all four home games this year, while winning 3 of 5 on the road, so they will be delirious to finally see the winning number of points on their side of the scoreboard. So expect an easy 35-40 point win for the home team and a TGT (Tickled Green Trevor) on here afterwards. Playoff-wise, all indications seem to be that the Hornets are going to sneak in at the number 15 or 16 spot in 2-A East, and just for reasons of area pride, we should all wish them the best in the playoffs. Just ask Waynesboro what a lower seed can do when they put their minds to it!
Stuarts Draft at Riverheads.....The Gladiators have a shot to wrap up a second straight 10-0 regular season and possibly hold on to their narrow lead over Essex for the number one seed in 1-A East. There are still many possibilities about that issue, as I understand it. As for SD, the Cougars are hovering somewhere around the 8/9 spot in the 2-A East ratings, which will make a difference between hosting a first round game and traveling for one. So for that reason alone, the visitors just might pull out all the stops. This is a county rivalry where anything can happen, so even though Riverheads is the favorite on paper, the game will be played out on the field. I predict a 2-3 touchdown Big Red win but I have not called my bookie about it.
East Rock at Buffalo Gap.......This is the second feature game of the evening and plenty will be at stake for the home team here as well. A week or two ago, they were atop the standings in 2-A East, but even though they continue to win impressively, they have apparently been passed by both Clarke and Goochland. So again, who knows where that race will end up? East Rock on the other hand appears to be in the playoff field and I don't think a loss to the Bison will change that, but they will be a lower seed and travel. As for this game, the Bison should be favored by a couple of scores, but they cannot relax by any stretch. ER has topped the 40-50 point mark in more than half their games this season and they are quite capable of pulling off this upset.
Luray at Stonewall.......The Dogs are middle-of-the-pack in the 1-A East playoffs and will not need this win. Stonewall on the other hand has had another tough year and is probably more than ready for basketball. But something tells me this one could still be competitive. Sure the Dogs will be 4-5 touchdown favorites, but don't be surprised if the Generals hang around for at least the first half and make it interesting. What have they got to lose?
Page at Wilson......That leaves this game as the only one in which I personally don't see any suspense. Wilson fans have seen their team lose all four home games this year, while winning 3 of 5 on the road, so they will be delirious to finally see the winning number of points on their side of the scoreboard. So expect an easy 35-40 point win for the home team and a TGT (Tickled Green Trevor) on here afterwards. Playoff-wise, all indications seem to be that the Hornets are going to sneak in at the number 15 or 16 spot in 2-A East, and just for reasons of area pride, we should all wish them the best in the playoffs. Just ask Waynesboro what a lower seed can do when they put their minds to it!
