Spotswood vs East Rock - The post McNair / Butler era officially begins and I know a lot of defensive coordinators a taking a sigh of relief at that thought. East Rock will return some athletes and bring some up from the Junior Varsity squad. I look for the new guys to have the first game jitters offensively in this rivalry game vs Spotswood and come up about 2 touchdowns short. I look for the ER offense to take a step back, while the defense should take a step up this year.
Buffalo Gap vs Fort Defiance - I am hopeful that the Indians can get their program on the right track soon. They have only won 1 game since 2014 and have been outscored 1341-328 in that span. I saw some positive things from them at the Jamboree, including a speedy running back who has a good shot to be an all-district performer this year in the Valley District. With that said, I hope they break the infamous streak this year, but I don't think it happens vs the Bison. Realistically, William Monroe on 9/8 might be their best chance to pick up that pesky W. I know the Gap returns a lot this year but they lost their best defensive player in Charles Weatherman (went to VMI). A small school team doesn't usually get better the year after a great player graduates, but I think BG may actually do just that this year, due to returning basically everyone from last year's team offensively, and most of the defense as well.
Madison vs Luray - Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of Madison's team this year, so I can't give much of a preview in this one, but this is step one for a hungry Luray Bulldog team that has already been given the expectation as the most physical team in the Shenandoah District this season. If I were not going to Lee/TA, I would probably check this one out.
Rappahannock Co vs Page Co - Going by last year's score, I look for Page to come out victorious again this season. Rappahannock Co has a fairly similar record to Page over the past few seasons, but Page has gotten the better of them each time.
Strasburg vs Stonewall Jackson - I feel for Stonewall like I do Fort. I hope they can get back to how they were in the days when Coach Kroll had them playing smashmouth, in your face football. From what I hear, SJ has had good effort, but not a ton of athletes in the pipeline. Hopefully, they can get it turned around and find something to build on each week to rebuild that program. With that said, Strasburg will be too good, and we'll likely see the running clock in the second half.
Stuarts Draft vs Waynesboro - This is a good week 0 matchup. Lots of new faces in this annual "Battle for the Ball." I have this one as a toss up, simply due to the new faces for the cougars, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Not trying to slight the newcomers, but last year's defense was one of the best in the state. If Waynesboro has close to the same team speed that they did last year, I may lean more towards the Little Giants winning a close one, rather than a toss up, but week 0 is always the toughest to predict for me.
Turner Ashby vs RE Lee - The record may not end up showing it, but I think the Leemen will actually be better this year than they were last year. They were competitive last year, and a lot of the scores aren't indicative of just how competitive a lot of the games were. Turnovers, mental errors, lack of depth, were 3 things that had a negative impact last season. Here's what I've found over the past few years, Lee plays better when no one gives them a chance. When people hype them up, or start to have confidence in them, they dont get off the bus; but you say something like "oh they've played awful, look for this to be a blowout" and they win... so with that said-- "Look for this to be a blowout, and TA wins big" haha
Buffalo Gap vs Fort Defiance - I am hopeful that the Indians can get their program on the right track soon. They have only won 1 game since 2014 and have been outscored 1341-328 in that span. I saw some positive things from them at the Jamboree, including a speedy running back who has a good shot to be an all-district performer this year in the Valley District. With that said, I hope they break the infamous streak this year, but I don't think it happens vs the Bison. Realistically, William Monroe on 9/8 might be their best chance to pick up that pesky W. I know the Gap returns a lot this year but they lost their best defensive player in Charles Weatherman (went to VMI). A small school team doesn't usually get better the year after a great player graduates, but I think BG may actually do just that this year, due to returning basically everyone from last year's team offensively, and most of the defense as well.
Madison vs Luray - Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of Madison's team this year, so I can't give much of a preview in this one, but this is step one for a hungry Luray Bulldog team that has already been given the expectation as the most physical team in the Shenandoah District this season. If I were not going to Lee/TA, I would probably check this one out.
Rappahannock Co vs Page Co - Going by last year's score, I look for Page to come out victorious again this season. Rappahannock Co has a fairly similar record to Page over the past few seasons, but Page has gotten the better of them each time.
Strasburg vs Stonewall Jackson - I feel for Stonewall like I do Fort. I hope they can get back to how they were in the days when Coach Kroll had them playing smashmouth, in your face football. From what I hear, SJ has had good effort, but not a ton of athletes in the pipeline. Hopefully, they can get it turned around and find something to build on each week to rebuild that program. With that said, Strasburg will be too good, and we'll likely see the running clock in the second half.
Stuarts Draft vs Waynesboro - This is a good week 0 matchup. Lots of new faces in this annual "Battle for the Ball." I have this one as a toss up, simply due to the new faces for the cougars, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Not trying to slight the newcomers, but last year's defense was one of the best in the state. If Waynesboro has close to the same team speed that they did last year, I may lean more towards the Little Giants winning a close one, rather than a toss up, but week 0 is always the toughest to predict for me.
Turner Ashby vs RE Lee - The record may not end up showing it, but I think the Leemen will actually be better this year than they were last year. They were competitive last year, and a lot of the scores aren't indicative of just how competitive a lot of the games were. Turnovers, mental errors, lack of depth, were 3 things that had a negative impact last season. Here's what I've found over the past few years, Lee plays better when no one gives them a chance. When people hype them up, or start to have confidence in them, they dont get off the bus; but you say something like "oh they've played awful, look for this to be a blowout" and they win... so with that said-- "Look for this to be a blowout, and TA wins big" haha
