We are down to the final two weeks of the regular season and things may finally be taking shape in the Shenandoah District. In fact, if the remaining games are all won by the teams that will be favored, then the district race will come down to a nice straight-down-the-line finish.............meaning there will be a district champion finishing 8-0 in district play, a 7-1 runner-up, a 6-2 third place team, and so on.
That will be wild if it happens, considering that we had more than a few games this season that seemed strange at the time. But of course attention will then turn to playoffs. At this point, it appears that we will have two teams playing on in Region 3-C, two in 2-B, and two in 1-B. I am not sure if there is a possible seventh playoff contender in there anyplace.
But we have plenty of time to analyze the post-season, so for right now, let's take a look at Friday night's schedule, which does feature at least one interesting match-up that "could" produce an upset. Here is the slate of games.............
FORT DEFIANCE AT ALLEGHANY: The Indians finally got the monkey off their back and broke their scoreless string and also picked up their only home win of the season with their rout over Rockbridge. Alleghany on the other hand needed a last-minute drive to hold off Riverheads, but they did what they needed to do in one of those cream-rising-to-the-top performances. I won't use the word "relax," but the Cougars certainly have nothing to fear these last two weeks and can already start strategizing for the playoffs. The Fort will be out of this one in a hurry.
BUFFALO GAP AT STUARTS DRAFT: If there is going to be an upset this Friday, this is the most likely place for it to happen. The Bison got off to a very rough start this season, but have come on like gang-busters, putting up some serious points on the scoreboard. They are also motivated by the battle in Region 1-B involving Riverheads and Luray for the 3/4/5 slots in the playoffs. At this point, my sources tell me that is too close to call but a Bison/Gladiator re-match is certainly a possibility. The Cougars on the other hand have a HUGE district-championship-on-the-line trip to Wilson on Finale Night, so could they possibly be thinking too much about that one already and overlook the Bison? I will go with the Cougars and a big margin is even possible, but a one-score or less game will not be a surprise and a Bison win will not be a total shock.
RIVERHEADS AT STAUNTON: The Gladiators gave it all they had against Alleghany Friday in one of the best games we have seen in a long time. Big Red fans may not be accustomed to a 4-4 record at this point in the season, but their showing in that one proves that they can hang with anyone and will be more than ready come playoff-time. As for Staunton, their one-point loss at Alleghany early in the season remains the biggest mystery of the whole campaign, but the rest of the year has been quite disappointing for them. One determining factor this week will be the health of RHS quarterback Kendal Edwards. He was injured late in the game, but Riverheads' offense being what it is, a back-up QB, if needed, should still be able to guide the Big Red to a semi-comfortable win.
WILSON AT WAYNESBORO: The Little Giants have had a successful year in terms of building toward the future. Three wins would not cut if for some teams, but for them it was a giant step and they will have everyone's attention next season. As for Wilson, to say they are on a roll would be an understatement. You might wonder if they could be facing the same "looking ahead" situation as Stuarts Draft, but I have my doubts. Waynesboro might score early and get the home fans excited, but Wilson will still be the district kingpins when they step back on the bus, and THEN the talk about the Stuarts Draft game can begin.
Rockbridge has the night off and will have the unenviable task of hosting Alleghany next Friday on Senior Night. Gee thanks Mr. Schedule-Maker!!!
That will be wild if it happens, considering that we had more than a few games this season that seemed strange at the time. But of course attention will then turn to playoffs. At this point, it appears that we will have two teams playing on in Region 3-C, two in 2-B, and two in 1-B. I am not sure if there is a possible seventh playoff contender in there anyplace.
But we have plenty of time to analyze the post-season, so for right now, let's take a look at Friday night's schedule, which does feature at least one interesting match-up that "could" produce an upset. Here is the slate of games.............
FORT DEFIANCE AT ALLEGHANY: The Indians finally got the monkey off their back and broke their scoreless string and also picked up their only home win of the season with their rout over Rockbridge. Alleghany on the other hand needed a last-minute drive to hold off Riverheads, but they did what they needed to do in one of those cream-rising-to-the-top performances. I won't use the word "relax," but the Cougars certainly have nothing to fear these last two weeks and can already start strategizing for the playoffs. The Fort will be out of this one in a hurry.
BUFFALO GAP AT STUARTS DRAFT: If there is going to be an upset this Friday, this is the most likely place for it to happen. The Bison got off to a very rough start this season, but have come on like gang-busters, putting up some serious points on the scoreboard. They are also motivated by the battle in Region 1-B involving Riverheads and Luray for the 3/4/5 slots in the playoffs. At this point, my sources tell me that is too close to call but a Bison/Gladiator re-match is certainly a possibility. The Cougars on the other hand have a HUGE district-championship-on-the-line trip to Wilson on Finale Night, so could they possibly be thinking too much about that one already and overlook the Bison? I will go with the Cougars and a big margin is even possible, but a one-score or less game will not be a surprise and a Bison win will not be a total shock.
RIVERHEADS AT STAUNTON: The Gladiators gave it all they had against Alleghany Friday in one of the best games we have seen in a long time. Big Red fans may not be accustomed to a 4-4 record at this point in the season, but their showing in that one proves that they can hang with anyone and will be more than ready come playoff-time. As for Staunton, their one-point loss at Alleghany early in the season remains the biggest mystery of the whole campaign, but the rest of the year has been quite disappointing for them. One determining factor this week will be the health of RHS quarterback Kendal Edwards. He was injured late in the game, but Riverheads' offense being what it is, a back-up QB, if needed, should still be able to guide the Big Red to a semi-comfortable win.
WILSON AT WAYNESBORO: The Little Giants have had a successful year in terms of building toward the future. Three wins would not cut if for some teams, but for them it was a giant step and they will have everyone's attention next season. As for Wilson, to say they are on a roll would be an understatement. You might wonder if they could be facing the same "looking ahead" situation as Stuarts Draft, but I have my doubts. Waynesboro might score early and get the home fans excited, but Wilson will still be the district kingpins when they step back on the bus, and THEN the talk about the Stuarts Draft game can begin.
Rockbridge has the night off and will have the unenviable task of hosting Alleghany next Friday on Senior Night. Gee thanks Mr. Schedule-Maker!!!
