Most of us have them picked as the kingpin of the Shenandoah this year, but they have kept us in suspense so far with a bye week first and then two non-district games. But starting this Friday the Mountaineers will have to prove it on the field for eight consecutive Friday nights. They will open district play by hosting The Staunton Storm, which is off to a 3-0 start.
However, that may not even be the highlight game of the weekend, as the Stuarts Draft at Fort Defiance battle will tell us which one of those will remain a title contender, the Buffalo Gap at Riverheads backyard brawl will feature two teams who desperately need a win, and the Waynesboro at Rockbridge game may determine who avoids the basement this year. As if all of that doesn't grab your attention, how about this weekend's final non-district game (for anybody) when unbeaten Wilson will travel to fellow unbeaten Turner Ashby?
Once again, it appears at this point as if Mother Nature will cooperate as whatever rain we get Tuesday and Wednesday will be finished in time for another nice weekend. But don't worry.........November football will be here soon enough, so your ponchos and blankets will still get a workout before all is said and done!
OK, here we go for this weekend's slate of games.......
STAUNTON AT ALLEGHANY: Both Mountaineer victories have sounded like barnburners, but they were against high-caliber opponents. Staunton on the other hand may be undefeated but the teams they have beaten have won just one game between them, so this particular showdown will quite likely not be much of one. Look for the home team to roll by at least 3-4 touchdowns. Looking at the weeks ahead, Alleghany also gets Wilson, Fort Defiance, and Stuarts Draft all at home, and at this early stage, those appear to be their top challengers for the district title.
BUFFALO GAP AT RIVERHEADS: With these two, you never need a reason to call anything a big game. But although it is early in the season, this one already has playoff implications. They each dropped their district opener and will spend the rest of the season trying to inch up the Region 1-B standings, knowing they could quite possibly meet again in the postseason. From comparing scores, we already know that Altavista and Luray will be pesky this year when the time comes. I of course have to go with RHS in this one but you just know the Gap will show up ready to rumble.
STUARTS DRAFT AT FORT DEFIANCE: This is a big early season battle and they too may meet again down the road in Region 2-B competition. Each won its district opener last week but each also has a loss already and having a 3-1 record after Friday night will seem a whole lot better than 2-2. As you know if you have followed my posts so far, I underestimated the Indians because of the three key skill players they graduated last year, but Coach Yew has apparently helped this year's bunch develop its own identity in record time. I will go with the Fort but a Draft win will not be an upset.
WAYNESBORO AT ROCKBRIDGE: Based on the pounding Fort Defiance put on the Little Giants, it now appears that their huge comeback win over Monticello will be the highlight of their season...but hey it's a start! RCHS on the other hand gave Staunton quite a battle Friday night, so I see them as being a touchdown or so better than the Giants. The loser of this one is most likely doomed to the basement but again it is early.
WILSON AT TURNER ASHBY: If the Hornets want to prove that they are ready for the big time, this is the game to do it, and once again, this could be a preview of a regional match-up. The Hornets raised some eyebrows when they shut out Spotswood 28-0, but that was in Fishersville, so in Bridgewater, I have to go with the home team. But if it helps motivate the Green Team, this could be one of the biggest wins in regular season history if you can pull it off.
So there you have it........five wins for five home teams. Why do I get the idea that it won't be that easy?
But speaking of easy, how about Saturday's college schedule??? I always get annoyed when our Virginia teams play their games at the same time, forcing you to make choices. But Saturday, unless they are lying to us, Virginia Tech plays at noon, the JMU/Liberty tussle is at 3:30, and UVa plays at 7:30. All are supposed to be on "regular" TV, so stock up on the beer and potato chips and make a day of it. That yard work and Honeydo list can wait!!!
However, that may not even be the highlight game of the weekend, as the Stuarts Draft at Fort Defiance battle will tell us which one of those will remain a title contender, the Buffalo Gap at Riverheads backyard brawl will feature two teams who desperately need a win, and the Waynesboro at Rockbridge game may determine who avoids the basement this year. As if all of that doesn't grab your attention, how about this weekend's final non-district game (for anybody) when unbeaten Wilson will travel to fellow unbeaten Turner Ashby?
Once again, it appears at this point as if Mother Nature will cooperate as whatever rain we get Tuesday and Wednesday will be finished in time for another nice weekend. But don't worry.........November football will be here soon enough, so your ponchos and blankets will still get a workout before all is said and done!
OK, here we go for this weekend's slate of games.......
STAUNTON AT ALLEGHANY: Both Mountaineer victories have sounded like barnburners, but they were against high-caliber opponents. Staunton on the other hand may be undefeated but the teams they have beaten have won just one game between them, so this particular showdown will quite likely not be much of one. Look for the home team to roll by at least 3-4 touchdowns. Looking at the weeks ahead, Alleghany also gets Wilson, Fort Defiance, and Stuarts Draft all at home, and at this early stage, those appear to be their top challengers for the district title.
BUFFALO GAP AT RIVERHEADS: With these two, you never need a reason to call anything a big game. But although it is early in the season, this one already has playoff implications. They each dropped their district opener and will spend the rest of the season trying to inch up the Region 1-B standings, knowing they could quite possibly meet again in the postseason. From comparing scores, we already know that Altavista and Luray will be pesky this year when the time comes. I of course have to go with RHS in this one but you just know the Gap will show up ready to rumble.
STUARTS DRAFT AT FORT DEFIANCE: This is a big early season battle and they too may meet again down the road in Region 2-B competition. Each won its district opener last week but each also has a loss already and having a 3-1 record after Friday night will seem a whole lot better than 2-2. As you know if you have followed my posts so far, I underestimated the Indians because of the three key skill players they graduated last year, but Coach Yew has apparently helped this year's bunch develop its own identity in record time. I will go with the Fort but a Draft win will not be an upset.
WAYNESBORO AT ROCKBRIDGE: Based on the pounding Fort Defiance put on the Little Giants, it now appears that their huge comeback win over Monticello will be the highlight of their season...but hey it's a start! RCHS on the other hand gave Staunton quite a battle Friday night, so I see them as being a touchdown or so better than the Giants. The loser of this one is most likely doomed to the basement but again it is early.
WILSON AT TURNER ASHBY: If the Hornets want to prove that they are ready for the big time, this is the game to do it, and once again, this could be a preview of a regional match-up. The Hornets raised some eyebrows when they shut out Spotswood 28-0, but that was in Fishersville, so in Bridgewater, I have to go with the home team. But if it helps motivate the Green Team, this could be one of the biggest wins in regular season history if you can pull it off.
So there you have it........five wins for five home teams. Why do I get the idea that it won't be that easy?
But speaking of easy, how about Saturday's college schedule??? I always get annoyed when our Virginia teams play their games at the same time, forcing you to make choices. But Saturday, unless they are lying to us, Virginia Tech plays at noon, the JMU/Liberty tussle is at 3:30, and UVa plays at 7:30. All are supposed to be on "regular" TV, so stock up on the beer and potato chips and make a day of it. That yard work and Honeydo list can wait!!!
Last edited:
