We have four games Friday night and one make-up game Tuesday, before the teams move into their playoffs, where five of them will compete in Conference 36 (2-A level) and the other three in Conference 44 (1-A.) There is a little bit of suspense left here and there for these regular season finales, but for the most part the games should be fairly predictable. Here is the slate:
Luray at Stuarts Draft: This was a massacre when they played at Luray, so we can only assume that it will be more of the same at the Draft. However, I will point out that just about every team that has faced the Cougars this year has done better in the re-match than they did in the first game. So that tells me that teams are able to adjust to their style or at least are less intimidated by them. But in this case, I doubt it will make much difference. Cougars will top 100 again and win by a minimum of 30.
East Rock at Wilson: This will be part of a boy/girl doubleheader where the girls game just might be a dandy. The boys game not so much. East Rock should prevail by at least 20.
Page at Buffalo Gap: You gotta feel for the Bison this year. All they can do is dedicate themselves to making next year better. Page will win this one by 20-25.
Riverheads at Stonewall: I don't follow all the points, ratings, etc. but from the little bit I do know, I think this game and Stonewall's make-up game Tuesday at Luray will determine whether the Generals sneak ahead of RHS into the number two slot in Conference 44 or if the Gladiators will hold on to the narrow lead that they have at the moment. They will meet again in the conference semi-finals, but due to the schedule, that will not be until Valentine's Day. The points, however they sort themselves out, will determine who gets to host that game. As for what to expect Friday, I see it as a toss-up. Stonewall has definitely been much improved this season and you would assume this will be their Senior Night. So that plus the playoff motivation should have them sky high for the game. But Riverheads has something at stake as well. They want the playoff position obviously, but a win in this game would move them to 7-7 in district play and 10-10 overall, which would be considered a successful season for such a young team. The first time around, the Gladiators were flat as a flounder, whereas SJ shot 60% for the game and left Greenville with a surprising (at the time) 9-point win. In more recent games, Riverheads has played well both at Luray and at Page, so I will go with the Gladiators to pull this one out by about 5-7 points.
Stonewall at Luray (Tuesday make-up game): I don't know the circumstances for why this one is just now being played but they should get it in without any weather concerns. Luray won the first time at Stonewall by 8, but the Dogs have fallen on hard times since then. For that reason, I might be more inclined to think Stonewall could even the score and win this one, but I may be in a better position to evaluate that one after I see what they do against RHS tomorrow night.
Luray at Stuarts Draft: This was a massacre when they played at Luray, so we can only assume that it will be more of the same at the Draft. However, I will point out that just about every team that has faced the Cougars this year has done better in the re-match than they did in the first game. So that tells me that teams are able to adjust to their style or at least are less intimidated by them. But in this case, I doubt it will make much difference. Cougars will top 100 again and win by a minimum of 30.
East Rock at Wilson: This will be part of a boy/girl doubleheader where the girls game just might be a dandy. The boys game not so much. East Rock should prevail by at least 20.
Page at Buffalo Gap: You gotta feel for the Bison this year. All they can do is dedicate themselves to making next year better. Page will win this one by 20-25.
Riverheads at Stonewall: I don't follow all the points, ratings, etc. but from the little bit I do know, I think this game and Stonewall's make-up game Tuesday at Luray will determine whether the Generals sneak ahead of RHS into the number two slot in Conference 44 or if the Gladiators will hold on to the narrow lead that they have at the moment. They will meet again in the conference semi-finals, but due to the schedule, that will not be until Valentine's Day. The points, however they sort themselves out, will determine who gets to host that game. As for what to expect Friday, I see it as a toss-up. Stonewall has definitely been much improved this season and you would assume this will be their Senior Night. So that plus the playoff motivation should have them sky high for the game. But Riverheads has something at stake as well. They want the playoff position obviously, but a win in this game would move them to 7-7 in district play and 10-10 overall, which would be considered a successful season for such a young team. The first time around, the Gladiators were flat as a flounder, whereas SJ shot 60% for the game and left Greenville with a surprising (at the time) 9-point win. In more recent games, Riverheads has played well both at Luray and at Page, so I will go with the Gladiators to pull this one out by about 5-7 points.
Stonewall at Luray (Tuesday make-up game): I don't know the circumstances for why this one is just now being played but they should get it in without any weather concerns. Luray won the first time at Stonewall by 8, but the Dogs have fallen on hard times since then. For that reason, I might be more inclined to think Stonewall could even the score and win this one, but I may be in a better position to evaluate that one after I see what they do against RHS tomorrow night.
