We have 3 potential game of the week games in the Shenandoah District this week, 1 team on a bye week (Page Co), and 1 game that should be an easy victory.
Wilson vs Stonewall Jackson: In the preseason, I was pretty high on the Hornets, as I thought they'd be somewhere in the upper half of the district standings. After last week's loss to Waynesboro, it made me question that prediction a little, but something to keep in mind: 3A - Waynesboro was playing their second game of the season, while Wilson was playing their first, and while it shouldn't make that big of a difference, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. They have Stonewall this week and Fort Defiance next week, so that should give them some time to find their stride and heal up (apparently one of their better players got injured last week) by the time they get into the rest of the Shenandoah District gantlet. I look for the Green Hornets to take this contest in the least competitive game in the Shenandoah this week.
Luray vs Buffalo Gap: Luray has absolutely punished their first two opponents. They are the district team that intrigues me the most at this point. What I've heard so far is that they are physical and that their quarterback is one heck of an athlete. Buffalo Gap beat Parry McCluer 22-14 last week, and a poster on here said Parry McCluer was without a number of key players. I think Parry McCluer and Luray have similar styles, and unless Luray has a whole bunch of players out like PM had last week, I'm predicting another statement win from the Luray Bulldogs over the BG Bison.
Riverheads vs Stuarts Draft: Neither team was challenged last week, and both teams are likely going to be fired up for this one, especially after how last year's game went. Riverheads is Riverheads and they are going to do what they do week after week, year after year. Stuarts Draft appears to have reloaded this year, but I'm going to have to see it in a game like this before I believe it, simply due to how dominant their defense, particularly the d-line, was last year. Should definitely be an exciting atmosphere at the Draft Friday night. I'm thinking Riverheads comes out victorious in this one.
R.E. Lee vs East Rockingham: The Leemen defeated a sneaky good Rockbridge team last week, a Rockbridge team that reminds me a little of the East Rock teams of the past few years. Lee has improved QB play this year, as well as a few different backs that can hurt defenses in different ways. The line play has shown improvement this year as well. East Rock has surprised me a little this year, as I thought this was going to be a little bit of a rebuilding year for them, but that has not been the case. They got an early victory over rival Spotswood, and won big over Madison last week. On paper, it looks like Lee should win this one as they've looked as good as I've seen them look in the past couple years, but I am not going to fall into that trap again, so I'm going to say the East Rock Eagles will win a close one
Wilson vs Stonewall Jackson: In the preseason, I was pretty high on the Hornets, as I thought they'd be somewhere in the upper half of the district standings. After last week's loss to Waynesboro, it made me question that prediction a little, but something to keep in mind: 3A - Waynesboro was playing their second game of the season, while Wilson was playing their first, and while it shouldn't make that big of a difference, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. They have Stonewall this week and Fort Defiance next week, so that should give them some time to find their stride and heal up (apparently one of their better players got injured last week) by the time they get into the rest of the Shenandoah District gantlet. I look for the Green Hornets to take this contest in the least competitive game in the Shenandoah this week.
Luray vs Buffalo Gap: Luray has absolutely punished their first two opponents. They are the district team that intrigues me the most at this point. What I've heard so far is that they are physical and that their quarterback is one heck of an athlete. Buffalo Gap beat Parry McCluer 22-14 last week, and a poster on here said Parry McCluer was without a number of key players. I think Parry McCluer and Luray have similar styles, and unless Luray has a whole bunch of players out like PM had last week, I'm predicting another statement win from the Luray Bulldogs over the BG Bison.
Riverheads vs Stuarts Draft: Neither team was challenged last week, and both teams are likely going to be fired up for this one, especially after how last year's game went. Riverheads is Riverheads and they are going to do what they do week after week, year after year. Stuarts Draft appears to have reloaded this year, but I'm going to have to see it in a game like this before I believe it, simply due to how dominant their defense, particularly the d-line, was last year. Should definitely be an exciting atmosphere at the Draft Friday night. I'm thinking Riverheads comes out victorious in this one.
R.E. Lee vs East Rockingham: The Leemen defeated a sneaky good Rockbridge team last week, a Rockbridge team that reminds me a little of the East Rock teams of the past few years. Lee has improved QB play this year, as well as a few different backs that can hurt defenses in different ways. The line play has shown improvement this year as well. East Rock has surprised me a little this year, as I thought this was going to be a little bit of a rebuilding year for them, but that has not been the case. They got an early victory over rival Spotswood, and won big over Madison last week. On paper, it looks like Lee should win this one as they've looked as good as I've seen them look in the past couple years, but I am not going to fall into that trap again, so I'm going to say the East Rock Eagles will win a close one
