As mentioned in another thread, I will miss this week's action, so let me get off to an early start giving you the schedule for this week's games and I am sure you guys will give your advance thoughts but most importantly, you will dive right in there Friday night and tell us what we need to know about what you saw. After two weeks of non-district games, each of the next nine Fridays will feature 4 games matching district foes and each week one team will either have the week off or have a non-district game. So here is the slate for this first week of district action with my thoughts on the outcome:
Stonewall Jackson at Wilson: The Hornets are sure to be buzzing after their nice comeback win at Waynesboro, and will be anxious to show their 2018 stuff to the home fans. They could not ask for a better opponent to get the crowd energized, as this one should be a name-the-score affair. A realistic goal for the Generals will be to avoid a third-straight shut-out.
Stuarts Draft at Riverheads: Due to scheduling quirks, these two have met the last two times at The Draft and in each case a packed house witnessed a classic. First there was the epic 2016 "battle of the unbeatens", won 16-13 in overtime by the Cougars, followed by last year's 17-14 RHS win. You should never try to predict a game between two Augusta County teams but this year there seems to be a little more separation between the two. I pick the Red Team by a minimum of three scores.
East Rock at Lee High: This is probably the Game of the Week in the Shenandoah and the same question will be answered about both teams...."Are they for real?" The Eagles have not been seriously challenged yet, rolling over both Spotswood and Madison. The Leemen polished off Turner Ashby the first week and as I write this, they are scheduled to complete their lightning-delayed game against Rockbridge tomorrow morning. Regardless of whether the Leemen hold on in that one and remain unbeaten, I think the Eagles have too many horses this year. Look for a high-scoring affair but with the visitors coming out on top by a 1-2 TD margin.
Buffalo Gap at Luray: That leaves this one and it is just too early in the season to call it anything but a toss-up. Each team is 2-0 but it would be hard to compare the levels of their competition. I personally expected the Bison to have an easier time of it Friday night at Parry McCluer, so that might tilt the advantage slightly in favor of Luray, especially with them being at home. But I just have a hunch the Bison will pull this one out by a missed extra point, or a made two, or a field goal. I will be surprised if either team runs away with it.
That leaves Page which has a bye this week after a 2-0 start to the season.
Stonewall Jackson at Wilson: The Hornets are sure to be buzzing after their nice comeback win at Waynesboro, and will be anxious to show their 2018 stuff to the home fans. They could not ask for a better opponent to get the crowd energized, as this one should be a name-the-score affair. A realistic goal for the Generals will be to avoid a third-straight shut-out.
Stuarts Draft at Riverheads: Due to scheduling quirks, these two have met the last two times at The Draft and in each case a packed house witnessed a classic. First there was the epic 2016 "battle of the unbeatens", won 16-13 in overtime by the Cougars, followed by last year's 17-14 RHS win. You should never try to predict a game between two Augusta County teams but this year there seems to be a little more separation between the two. I pick the Red Team by a minimum of three scores.
East Rock at Lee High: This is probably the Game of the Week in the Shenandoah and the same question will be answered about both teams...."Are they for real?" The Eagles have not been seriously challenged yet, rolling over both Spotswood and Madison. The Leemen polished off Turner Ashby the first week and as I write this, they are scheduled to complete their lightning-delayed game against Rockbridge tomorrow morning. Regardless of whether the Leemen hold on in that one and remain unbeaten, I think the Eagles have too many horses this year. Look for a high-scoring affair but with the visitors coming out on top by a 1-2 TD margin.
Buffalo Gap at Luray: That leaves this one and it is just too early in the season to call it anything but a toss-up. Each team is 2-0 but it would be hard to compare the levels of their competition. I personally expected the Bison to have an easier time of it Friday night at Parry McCluer, so that might tilt the advantage slightly in favor of Luray, especially with them being at home. But I just have a hunch the Bison will pull this one out by a missed extra point, or a made two, or a field goal. I will be surprised if either team runs away with it.
That leaves Page which has a bye this week after a 2-0 start to the season.
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