SWVA Predictions for the week 10/23/15
The end of the 2015 football regular season is fast approaching. There are several key matchups this week that can affect the post season for many SWVA teams.
Abingdon (7-0) - Richlands (7-1)
The Blue Tornado won all eleven meetings between the two programs from 2003-13, but the Falcons turned the tables last season winning a 37-23 ball game. This one figures to be even more of a barn-burner as both teams come in riding high.
Richlands has won six in a row to run their record to 7-1 on the season and they pitched back-to-back shutouts coming into this game having blanked Tazewll 42-0 and Grundy 56-0 in the last two weeks.
The offense is headed up by quarterback John-Luke Asbury, a junior left-hander, who is quick to find his targets and among the more accurate passers in the state rarely turning the ball over. Far from being a one-dimensional group, the Tornado also rely upon chain-moving running back Nick Blankenship to move the ball. On the year, Richlands has scored 41 or more points in every game proving to be one of the most productive units in the state.
They'll face an Abingdon defense capable of slowing them down as they've limited four opponents to 14 or fewer points including their last two foes -- Lebanon and Virginia. They were hit for 47 by Graham three weeks back, but still won the contest by ten points. The'll need to play their best game of the season to slow down the Richlands offense.
That could mean that the Falcons will find themselves in an offensive shootout, but they feel right at home in those type of contests. Quarterback Jake Sturgill and wide receiver Derrick Yates rank among the most dangerous combinations in the state and the Falcons signal caller can also call upon standouts Jeff Wallace and Mason Widner as he did last week in throwing for 441 yards against Virginia.
They may find more problems than they are used to facing a Richlands defense who has held five of their seven opponents to single digit scores including two shutouts. However, in their one loss (to Union), the Blue Tornado surrendered 42 points (including a score in overtime). That was back in week two, but serves as a warning sign that a team with a strong group of athletes, like Abingdon, can move the ball on them.
The two schools rank among the best three programs in SWVA this season and their game could rank among the best played in the state this season. With both a slight defensive advantage and by playing on their home turf, the slight edge goes to the Blue Tornado...Richlands 40, Abingdon 34
Tazewell (2-5) - Grundy (4-3)
The Golden Wave began the season with four straight wins but has since suffered three straight losses. The record between these two teams over the previous 15 seasons has Grundy with an 8-7 edge including one playoff meeting. The Bulldogs are building with several sophomores seeing lots of playing time. Grundy 40-14.
Marion (1-6) – Ridgeview (3-4)
The Hurricanes were in the battle last week until the fourth quarter with Patrick Henry. Ridgeview prevailed over a rebuilding John Battle team. This will be the first meeting between these two schools since Haysi and Clintwood combined over the summer. Ridgeview 28-20.
Gate City (2-6) – John Battle ( 1-6)
The Blue Devils of Gate City have won two back to back games after opening up with five losses. Gate City has found the offense firepower behind QB Hunter Collier and RB Matt McClung. They will be to much for the Trojans. Gate City 48-6.
Lee (4-3) – Wise Central (5-3)
Wise Central Warriors were in a close battle last week with Union in the 14-6 loss. The Generals are smarting after their loss to their Scott County rivals from Gate City. These two teams have met four times since Wise County consolidated school with each team picking up two wins. Either way you look at it, the tie will be broken Friday night. The Warriors have the Generals surrounded. Wise 30-14.
Eastside (2-6) – Union (7-0)
The Bears were in a defensive struggle last week squeaking out a close win over Wise Central. The Trojans are coming off a heartbreaker with Twin Springs. Union has too many weapons for the Trojans to contain. Union 49-6.
Bland (6-1) – Graham (2-5)
The G-Men have a very potent offense. Junior running back Jamoyra Cousin is an explosive ball carrier. Graham has a 4-0 record against the Bears. This will be a very good game to watch this week. If the G-Men can make stops on defense they would have the upper hand. Bland 23-21.
Ft. Chiswell (1-6) – Grayson County (4-3)
The Pioneers picked up their first win last week over Narrows. The Blue Devils fell 26-18 to Bland. Grayson County holds a 11-6 winning record in this matchup including one playoff game. The Blue Devils will just be too much for the Pioneers. 49-6.
Lebanon (2-5) – Virginia High (3-4)
The Lebanon Pioneers picked up a win last week over Castlewood. Virginia High suffered a defeat to the Falcons of Abingdon. The Bearcats feature a good receiver in Jordan Sewell. Lebanon’s senior running back suffered a season ending injury in the first game of the year and the Pioneers have been attempting to hold it together since. Virginia 43-14.
Twin Springs (4-3) – Hurley (5-2)
The Titans will make the long trip from Nicholsvile to Hurley on Friday night to face the Rebels. Hurley is steal reeling from their loss to Honaker while the Titans are up with the win over Eastside. The long bus ride will be hard for the Titans to get over and it will be a long bus ride back. Hurley 30-16.
Twin Valley (4-2) – Rye Cove (0-6)
The Panthers of Twin Valley will travel to Rye Cove to face the Eagles. The Panthers have been able to handle out of state schools. The Eagles are looking for their first win. It will not be Friday night. Twin Valley 28-20.
J. I. Burton (6-1) – Castlewood (2-6)
After suffering an opening game loss to Union, the Raiders have won six straight games and sit atop of the 1A state rankings. The Blue Devils suffered a loss to Lebanon last week. J. I. Burton has lots of offensive power behind an aggressive offensive line. The Raiders are going to be to much for the Blue Devils. J. I. Burton 58-14.
George Wythe (6-1) – Patrick Henry (GS) (5-1)
The Rebels feather one of the best running backs in SWVA in Dakota Humphrey. Humphrey rushed for over 225 yards last week in a come from behind victory over Marion. The Maroons are a strong team on both sides of the football. GW holds a 16-0 record in this matchup since 1998. The Maroons are a very good team. This is another key game for SWVA this week. George Wythe 35-16.
Rural Retreat (4-2) – Holston (0-6)
The Cavaliers are looking for their first win of the season. They have only scored 41 points while giving up 189. The Indians had last week off to heal up. Rural Retreat holds a 12-5 records in this matchup since 1998, including one playoff game. Rural Retreat 43-7
Narrows (4-3) - Galax (3-4)
The Maroon Tide of Galax is coming off a thrilling win over Graham last week 41-33, while Narrows fell to Ft. Chiswell. Galax holds the record over Narrows 11 – 6 including one play off game. This could be a good game to watch. Narrows 24-14.
Thomas Walker (1-6)- McCreary Central (KY) (2-6)
The Pioneers have had a difficult time keeping players healthy this season. The Pioneers defense is the recipient to most of those injuries while allowing nearly 40 points per game. The Raiders of McCreary central is coming off a 74-44 loss. Thomas Walker needs a win desperately. Thomas Walker 20-12
Teams that are open:
Honaker
Northwood
The end of the 2015 football regular season is fast approaching. There are several key matchups this week that can affect the post season for many SWVA teams.
Abingdon (7-0) - Richlands (7-1)
The Blue Tornado won all eleven meetings between the two programs from 2003-13, but the Falcons turned the tables last season winning a 37-23 ball game. This one figures to be even more of a barn-burner as both teams come in riding high.
Richlands has won six in a row to run their record to 7-1 on the season and they pitched back-to-back shutouts coming into this game having blanked Tazewll 42-0 and Grundy 56-0 in the last two weeks.
The offense is headed up by quarterback John-Luke Asbury, a junior left-hander, who is quick to find his targets and among the more accurate passers in the state rarely turning the ball over. Far from being a one-dimensional group, the Tornado also rely upon chain-moving running back Nick Blankenship to move the ball. On the year, Richlands has scored 41 or more points in every game proving to be one of the most productive units in the state.
They'll face an Abingdon defense capable of slowing them down as they've limited four opponents to 14 or fewer points including their last two foes -- Lebanon and Virginia. They were hit for 47 by Graham three weeks back, but still won the contest by ten points. The'll need to play their best game of the season to slow down the Richlands offense.
That could mean that the Falcons will find themselves in an offensive shootout, but they feel right at home in those type of contests. Quarterback Jake Sturgill and wide receiver Derrick Yates rank among the most dangerous combinations in the state and the Falcons signal caller can also call upon standouts Jeff Wallace and Mason Widner as he did last week in throwing for 441 yards against Virginia.
They may find more problems than they are used to facing a Richlands defense who has held five of their seven opponents to single digit scores including two shutouts. However, in their one loss (to Union), the Blue Tornado surrendered 42 points (including a score in overtime). That was back in week two, but serves as a warning sign that a team with a strong group of athletes, like Abingdon, can move the ball on them.
The two schools rank among the best three programs in SWVA this season and their game could rank among the best played in the state this season. With both a slight defensive advantage and by playing on their home turf, the slight edge goes to the Blue Tornado...Richlands 40, Abingdon 34
Tazewell (2-5) - Grundy (4-3)
The Golden Wave began the season with four straight wins but has since suffered three straight losses. The record between these two teams over the previous 15 seasons has Grundy with an 8-7 edge including one playoff meeting. The Bulldogs are building with several sophomores seeing lots of playing time. Grundy 40-14.
Marion (1-6) – Ridgeview (3-4)
The Hurricanes were in the battle last week until the fourth quarter with Patrick Henry. Ridgeview prevailed over a rebuilding John Battle team. This will be the first meeting between these two schools since Haysi and Clintwood combined over the summer. Ridgeview 28-20.
Gate City (2-6) – John Battle ( 1-6)
The Blue Devils of Gate City have won two back to back games after opening up with five losses. Gate City has found the offense firepower behind QB Hunter Collier and RB Matt McClung. They will be to much for the Trojans. Gate City 48-6.
Lee (4-3) – Wise Central (5-3)
Wise Central Warriors were in a close battle last week with Union in the 14-6 loss. The Generals are smarting after their loss to their Scott County rivals from Gate City. These two teams have met four times since Wise County consolidated school with each team picking up two wins. Either way you look at it, the tie will be broken Friday night. The Warriors have the Generals surrounded. Wise 30-14.
Eastside (2-6) – Union (7-0)
The Bears were in a defensive struggle last week squeaking out a close win over Wise Central. The Trojans are coming off a heartbreaker with Twin Springs. Union has too many weapons for the Trojans to contain. Union 49-6.
Bland (6-1) – Graham (2-5)
The G-Men have a very potent offense. Junior running back Jamoyra Cousin is an explosive ball carrier. Graham has a 4-0 record against the Bears. This will be a very good game to watch this week. If the G-Men can make stops on defense they would have the upper hand. Bland 23-21.
Ft. Chiswell (1-6) – Grayson County (4-3)
The Pioneers picked up their first win last week over Narrows. The Blue Devils fell 26-18 to Bland. Grayson County holds a 11-6 winning record in this matchup including one playoff game. The Blue Devils will just be too much for the Pioneers. 49-6.
Lebanon (2-5) – Virginia High (3-4)
The Lebanon Pioneers picked up a win last week over Castlewood. Virginia High suffered a defeat to the Falcons of Abingdon. The Bearcats feature a good receiver in Jordan Sewell. Lebanon’s senior running back suffered a season ending injury in the first game of the year and the Pioneers have been attempting to hold it together since. Virginia 43-14.
Twin Springs (4-3) – Hurley (5-2)
The Titans will make the long trip from Nicholsvile to Hurley on Friday night to face the Rebels. Hurley is steal reeling from their loss to Honaker while the Titans are up with the win over Eastside. The long bus ride will be hard for the Titans to get over and it will be a long bus ride back. Hurley 30-16.
Twin Valley (4-2) – Rye Cove (0-6)
The Panthers of Twin Valley will travel to Rye Cove to face the Eagles. The Panthers have been able to handle out of state schools. The Eagles are looking for their first win. It will not be Friday night. Twin Valley 28-20.
J. I. Burton (6-1) – Castlewood (2-6)
After suffering an opening game loss to Union, the Raiders have won six straight games and sit atop of the 1A state rankings. The Blue Devils suffered a loss to Lebanon last week. J. I. Burton has lots of offensive power behind an aggressive offensive line. The Raiders are going to be to much for the Blue Devils. J. I. Burton 58-14.
George Wythe (6-1) – Patrick Henry (GS) (5-1)
The Rebels feather one of the best running backs in SWVA in Dakota Humphrey. Humphrey rushed for over 225 yards last week in a come from behind victory over Marion. The Maroons are a strong team on both sides of the football. GW holds a 16-0 record in this matchup since 1998. The Maroons are a very good team. This is another key game for SWVA this week. George Wythe 35-16.
Rural Retreat (4-2) – Holston (0-6)
The Cavaliers are looking for their first win of the season. They have only scored 41 points while giving up 189. The Indians had last week off to heal up. Rural Retreat holds a 12-5 records in this matchup since 1998, including one playoff game. Rural Retreat 43-7
Narrows (4-3) - Galax (3-4)
The Maroon Tide of Galax is coming off a thrilling win over Graham last week 41-33, while Narrows fell to Ft. Chiswell. Galax holds the record over Narrows 11 – 6 including one play off game. This could be a good game to watch. Narrows 24-14.
Thomas Walker (1-6)- McCreary Central (KY) (2-6)
The Pioneers have had a difficult time keeping players healthy this season. The Pioneers defense is the recipient to most of those injuries while allowing nearly 40 points per game. The Raiders of McCreary central is coming off a 74-44 loss. Thomas Walker needs a win desperately. Thomas Walker 20-12
Teams that are open:
Honaker
Northwood
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