This Friday we have a couple of potential barn-burners, two others that look on paper as if they will be snoozers, and the ninth team (Stuarts Draft in this case) has a bye week. So here is my take on this week's games:
Riverheads at Buffalo Gap: For most folks, this will be the marquee game of the week. I think it will come down to a battle between Buffalo Gap's adrenaline and Riverheads' poise. The Bison will no doubt remember the 49-7 pounding they took on their same field less than a year ago. In fact I would not be surprised if they have been pointing toward this game since that loss. So to say that they will be fired up would be an understatement, especially since they have two district losses already. Riverheads on the other hand always plays under control, and if they have emotions during a game, they don't show them as much as other teams do. So if Gap gets off to a good start and shakes the quiet confidence of the Big Red, then the home team may very well take this one. But sometimes fired up teams get too caught up in those emotions and it can cost them. I will of course go with Riverheads but I do have a key stat to back up that prediction. The Bison have given up an average of 26 points per game this season to Riverheads' 10. So that tells me that the Gladiators' ball control game will dominate the time of possession so that Gap cannot turn its high-powered offense loose and score the points it will take to win this one. It will be a close, medium-range game, but I see something like a 21-14 RHS win.
Page County at East Rockingham: To the folks up that way, this will be just as important a game. In other threads, we have been speculating that Page could win more games than usual this year, and this just might be an attainable one for them. I personally don't see it, because East Rock showed a versatile, talented offense Friday at Riverheads and turnovers were their worst enemy. So if they cut down on the miscues, I see them as being about two TDs better than the Panthers. But if Page brings its A game and the Eagles make those same mistakes, it could be a fun ride back up Route 340.
Luray at Wilson: I am sure there will be some Wilson fans who will go into this one with confidence, saying "oh we are the home team, we can beat old Luray." But those folks may not be aware that this is not the Luray team of old. This is apparently the season the Bulldogs have been building toward, and at this stage, they have to be considered a legitimate contender for the district crown. Unless Wilson plays well above itself and Luray plays wayyyy down from what they have been showing, this looks like at least a 4-TD win for the visitors.
Lee High at Stonewall: Lee fans can relax.......you will be home in time to watch the second half of the UVa game. The running clock will see to that. And if you think this one is going to be a rout, wait until basketball season!
Riverheads at Buffalo Gap: For most folks, this will be the marquee game of the week. I think it will come down to a battle between Buffalo Gap's adrenaline and Riverheads' poise. The Bison will no doubt remember the 49-7 pounding they took on their same field less than a year ago. In fact I would not be surprised if they have been pointing toward this game since that loss. So to say that they will be fired up would be an understatement, especially since they have two district losses already. Riverheads on the other hand always plays under control, and if they have emotions during a game, they don't show them as much as other teams do. So if Gap gets off to a good start and shakes the quiet confidence of the Big Red, then the home team may very well take this one. But sometimes fired up teams get too caught up in those emotions and it can cost them. I will of course go with Riverheads but I do have a key stat to back up that prediction. The Bison have given up an average of 26 points per game this season to Riverheads' 10. So that tells me that the Gladiators' ball control game will dominate the time of possession so that Gap cannot turn its high-powered offense loose and score the points it will take to win this one. It will be a close, medium-range game, but I see something like a 21-14 RHS win.
Page County at East Rockingham: To the folks up that way, this will be just as important a game. In other threads, we have been speculating that Page could win more games than usual this year, and this just might be an attainable one for them. I personally don't see it, because East Rock showed a versatile, talented offense Friday at Riverheads and turnovers were their worst enemy. So if they cut down on the miscues, I see them as being about two TDs better than the Panthers. But if Page brings its A game and the Eagles make those same mistakes, it could be a fun ride back up Route 340.
Luray at Wilson: I am sure there will be some Wilson fans who will go into this one with confidence, saying "oh we are the home team, we can beat old Luray." But those folks may not be aware that this is not the Luray team of old. This is apparently the season the Bulldogs have been building toward, and at this stage, they have to be considered a legitimate contender for the district crown. Unless Wilson plays well above itself and Luray plays wayyyy down from what they have been showing, this looks like at least a 4-TD win for the visitors.
Lee High at Stonewall: Lee fans can relax.......you will be home in time to watch the second half of the UVa game. The running clock will see to that. And if you think this one is going to be a rout, wait until basketball season!
