Looking at all four regions, there are some interesting matchups and lots of potential for movement. I will highlight the 3 or 4 games in each for discussion.
Region A
Essex/Rapp- this one decides the NN and the #1 seed for Region A, big game with a lot on the line
K&Q/KW-this one in the recent past was a sure win for KW, interested to see how K&Q respond to the adversity of last weeks loss, with the upset victory they would be dangerously close to taking over second in the region (riders would become the key)
W&L/CB-W&L has played the toughest schedule in 1A with opponents potentially having a combined victory total at 63 after Friday night, that said did they peak too early, can they take care of a perceived lesser opponent and get back in the discussion for Region A representative, can CB pull off another upset like the Rapp game, lots of subplots in this one and movement to the middle of the region bracket
Region B
Riverheads/Stuarts-local rivalry game with district title on the line in a battle of unbeatens, should be a close game and IMO a low scoring game but we will see
Wm Campbell/Altavsta-neither have the record you would want but both play a difficult district schedule against some good Dogwood teams, this could upset the standings slightly with Altavsta and Franklin jockeying for playoff position, a loss for WC could drop them behind Central Lunenburg as well
Franklin/Southampton-not the season that some wanted in Bronco country but they have battled and grown as a young team, could be dangerous depending on where they land in the seedings, a win could catapult this team to the fourth seed and have them host the first round
Region C
Galax/Grayson Co-Galax is a premier 1A team so Grayson Co having revamped their O will need to establish that they are in this game early, Galax does need this game to maintain their lead over Narrows and ensure they host on Thanksgiving weekend should they make it that far
Narrows/PM-this isn't the PM smash mouth teams of the past but they have steadily made improvements so look for a decent game early, Narrows getting healthy is a primary concern as the playoffs are getting ready to begin, an upset and PM puts everyone on notice they have come together to play
GW/Rural Retreat-GW beats the teams they should so this looks to be a win but RR is a scrappy bunch as evidenced by their win over a decent Holston team, can they pull off the upset and gain momentum as the second season starts
Region D (where everyone but the top seed could change hands)
JIB/Thomas Walker-JIB is the dark horse pick to make noise in the region, Thomas Walker has lost its bearing after a very good start to the season, who wants this one, effort and desire are the name of the game here
Chilhowie/Holston-one of the hottest teams in the region in Holston taking on a Chilhowie team that feels they let a close one slip away last week, can Chilhowie right the ship or does Holston prove its a legit contender in the region
Castlewood/Eastside-seeding implications with Eastside potentially missing out on the playoffs with a loss and disaster in regards to riders, another tossup with lots on the line
Honaker/Ridgeview-the percentages say that Ridgeview wins easily which could have Honaker being a district champion and sitting at home, Honaker needs to play their game and let the chips fall where they may, an upset would have them solidly in
Hurley/Twin Valley-TW can spoil the Rebels shot at the playoffs while still not making it themselves, Hurley has to fight to show they want in and get some help
Overall it is an interesting week to be a HS football fan. Its the most wonderful time of the year....
And to reiterate some comments from others in another post, thank you to the young men and coaches that have allowed us to enjoy Friday nights this fall. It has truly been a blessing to be a witness to.
Region A
Essex/Rapp- this one decides the NN and the #1 seed for Region A, big game with a lot on the line
K&Q/KW-this one in the recent past was a sure win for KW, interested to see how K&Q respond to the adversity of last weeks loss, with the upset victory they would be dangerously close to taking over second in the region (riders would become the key)
W&L/CB-W&L has played the toughest schedule in 1A with opponents potentially having a combined victory total at 63 after Friday night, that said did they peak too early, can they take care of a perceived lesser opponent and get back in the discussion for Region A representative, can CB pull off another upset like the Rapp game, lots of subplots in this one and movement to the middle of the region bracket
Region B
Riverheads/Stuarts-local rivalry game with district title on the line in a battle of unbeatens, should be a close game and IMO a low scoring game but we will see
Wm Campbell/Altavsta-neither have the record you would want but both play a difficult district schedule against some good Dogwood teams, this could upset the standings slightly with Altavsta and Franklin jockeying for playoff position, a loss for WC could drop them behind Central Lunenburg as well
Franklin/Southampton-not the season that some wanted in Bronco country but they have battled and grown as a young team, could be dangerous depending on where they land in the seedings, a win could catapult this team to the fourth seed and have them host the first round
Region C
Galax/Grayson Co-Galax is a premier 1A team so Grayson Co having revamped their O will need to establish that they are in this game early, Galax does need this game to maintain their lead over Narrows and ensure they host on Thanksgiving weekend should they make it that far
Narrows/PM-this isn't the PM smash mouth teams of the past but they have steadily made improvements so look for a decent game early, Narrows getting healthy is a primary concern as the playoffs are getting ready to begin, an upset and PM puts everyone on notice they have come together to play
GW/Rural Retreat-GW beats the teams they should so this looks to be a win but RR is a scrappy bunch as evidenced by their win over a decent Holston team, can they pull off the upset and gain momentum as the second season starts
Region D (where everyone but the top seed could change hands)
JIB/Thomas Walker-JIB is the dark horse pick to make noise in the region, Thomas Walker has lost its bearing after a very good start to the season, who wants this one, effort and desire are the name of the game here
Chilhowie/Holston-one of the hottest teams in the region in Holston taking on a Chilhowie team that feels they let a close one slip away last week, can Chilhowie right the ship or does Holston prove its a legit contender in the region
Castlewood/Eastside-seeding implications with Eastside potentially missing out on the playoffs with a loss and disaster in regards to riders, another tossup with lots on the line
Honaker/Ridgeview-the percentages say that Ridgeview wins easily which could have Honaker being a district champion and sitting at home, Honaker needs to play their game and let the chips fall where they may, an upset would have them solidly in
Hurley/Twin Valley-TW can spoil the Rebels shot at the playoffs while still not making it themselves, Hurley has to fight to show they want in and get some help
Overall it is an interesting week to be a HS football fan. Its the most wonderful time of the year....
And to reiterate some comments from others in another post, thank you to the young men and coaches that have allowed us to enjoy Friday nights this fall. It has truly been a blessing to be a witness to.
