This is my last post for a while I promise lol 
Last but not least is going to be my weekly picks; I will do my first power poll for the area on Monday but I wanted to get a game under everyone’s belts first before I do that. I’m gonna go county by county here and give each game a write up. I’m skipping my school in order to avoid bias.
Mount Airy at Starmount:
In what is one of the area’s top rivalries dating back to 1971 this series has become predictable the past few years. Starmount’s in a rebuilding mode while MA is the top dog for these past few years. This year’s matchup will have the most drama in a few years as both teams are starting new era’s tonight. However MA will do it with most of their stars back while the Rams are in more of a rebuilding period. Star needs to hawk the ball and catch MA sleeping however that’s easier said than done. MA just has too much speed.
East Surry at East Wilkes:
In one of the area’s more understated and hard played rivalries it mirrors the game in Boonville in a lot of ways. Two new HC’s who both have big shadows to replace. However it is more than a coaching duel here as the Ronda Cards are out to play for respect after a bad scrimmage performance has brought up talk of downfall. The Pilot Cards meanwhile want to make a statement that they are back for EW’s spot and what momentum they can get.
EW is the favorite according to Simmons but I see it being either surprisingly close or a solid win for ES. The game will depend on EW’s defense. If their D can manage to come together and play much better than they have been and the new kids can perform to a level they are expected then it should be a thriller; but if not then ES will roll.
I think that is the more liely outcome but it isn’t impossible for a EW win as they won an 8-0 thriller last year so anything’s possible.
Surry Central at Elkin:
Elkin opens their season at home for a change as longtime rival Surry Central takes the short trip down the highway to play the Elks. Last season was a surprising rout for the Elks as everyone was amazed by how rough the Golden Eagles looked. This year the tables have turned and Elkin is considered the favorite while Central is out to to prove theirselves.
Both teams are very young however Central is in much dire straights as they have more JV aged kids up.. Elkin having a few more seniors could make a lot of difference here. Add to it the athlete edge Elkin traditionally has it may be rough flying for the Eagles.Central’s best bet is to hope Elkin has some offensive struggles while optioning Elkin’s D to death. However if Central’s D isn’t up to the task it should be a long night.
West Wilkes at Forbush
In what proved to be a rain delayed game last year turned into a surprising rout for West in Miller’s Creek as Forbush showed their first signs of trouble on offense. This year West takes the curvy trek up to East Bend in what should be another hard hitting affair between 2 traditionally hard hitting teams.
This year West looks to be the clear favorite in this matchup due to both depth and experience two things Forbush doesn’t have this year. West could have close to 40 kids on varsity which is huge for them while the ‘Bush has only 24. West is senior laden with a solid junior class while Forbush has only 6 seniors and several juniors and sophomores. West should have the clear edge here. However Forbush shouldn’t be counted out due to their stubborn nature and some of the sophomores were very talented as they beat West last year. This game will come down to if Forbush can hog the ball or not; Johnson’s offense works best when it can get a turnover and milk the clock. West meanwhile hopes to pound Forbush into the ground and runs them out of juice by halftime.
I see here being a comfy win for the Blackhawks but the Bush should have their highlights too.
West Stokes at South Stokes
In what has proved to be a surprisingly hard played rivalry despite West’s lead in the series the Sauras has turned things around the past two years. Last year’s game proved to be well played by South and West had to fight to earn the W in King as it showed South had talent in Sauratown. This year could be potentially much more competitive as the JV players from South are now varsity aged. The past 3 years have had 3 hard fought wins for West on JV.
South is at a bit of a disadvantage as they will be having a first year starter in the QB spot which is a major bummer for them. However they return several solid players especially on the defense and some solid runners to make their offense work. West meanwhile brings back 2 solid offensive backs and several solid lineman. West on paper looks to be solid however in rivalry games especially hard played ones like this series you can throw it out the window easily.
South needs to focus on running the clock down and keeping West’s option game down and out or else Smith will pounce on them all night. I see this one maybe being a thriller but West has enough speed in the skill spots to pull it out.
North Stokes at Alleghany:
Oh boy.
This game has always been one of the area’s more longtime and most interesting matchups. Alleghany has won the most games but N Stokes has always made this game close every year. Back in the 90’s and 00’s in several years this game proved to be one or both team’s best shot at a W. This shouldn’t change this year as the game switches to Sparta.
North Stokes is again fighting the numbers game despite being filled with juniors however the Vikings are desperate for a shot at redemption and this game can offer it. The Trojans meanwhile badly need a jumpstart to their season because it looks to be potentially a long one. Alleghany has a new offense and many new faces as Sessom’s last group of varsity kids are now gone.
Both teams have much to play for here. However it all will depend on if one team can step it up on defense. Alleghany’s D is solid against the run but down against the pass however unless the Vikings have a passing game out of nowhere I don’t see that being much helpful. N Stokes’s best hope is for Alleghany to have several turnovers and a small field or else it could be a long night.
Last but not least is going to be my weekly picks; I will do my first power poll for the area on Monday but I wanted to get a game under everyone’s belts first before I do that. I’m gonna go county by county here and give each game a write up. I’m skipping my school in order to avoid bias.
Mount Airy at Starmount:
In what is one of the area’s top rivalries dating back to 1971 this series has become predictable the past few years. Starmount’s in a rebuilding mode while MA is the top dog for these past few years. This year’s matchup will have the most drama in a few years as both teams are starting new era’s tonight. However MA will do it with most of their stars back while the Rams are in more of a rebuilding period. Star needs to hawk the ball and catch MA sleeping however that’s easier said than done. MA just has too much speed.
East Surry at East Wilkes:
In one of the area’s more understated and hard played rivalries it mirrors the game in Boonville in a lot of ways. Two new HC’s who both have big shadows to replace. However it is more than a coaching duel here as the Ronda Cards are out to play for respect after a bad scrimmage performance has brought up talk of downfall. The Pilot Cards meanwhile want to make a statement that they are back for EW’s spot and what momentum they can get.
EW is the favorite according to Simmons but I see it being either surprisingly close or a solid win for ES. The game will depend on EW’s defense. If their D can manage to come together and play much better than they have been and the new kids can perform to a level they are expected then it should be a thriller; but if not then ES will roll.
I think that is the more liely outcome but it isn’t impossible for a EW win as they won an 8-0 thriller last year so anything’s possible.
Surry Central at Elkin:
Elkin opens their season at home for a change as longtime rival Surry Central takes the short trip down the highway to play the Elks. Last season was a surprising rout for the Elks as everyone was amazed by how rough the Golden Eagles looked. This year the tables have turned and Elkin is considered the favorite while Central is out to to prove theirselves.
Both teams are very young however Central is in much dire straights as they have more JV aged kids up.. Elkin having a few more seniors could make a lot of difference here. Add to it the athlete edge Elkin traditionally has it may be rough flying for the Eagles.Central’s best bet is to hope Elkin has some offensive struggles while optioning Elkin’s D to death. However if Central’s D isn’t up to the task it should be a long night.
West Wilkes at Forbush
In what proved to be a rain delayed game last year turned into a surprising rout for West in Miller’s Creek as Forbush showed their first signs of trouble on offense. This year West takes the curvy trek up to East Bend in what should be another hard hitting affair between 2 traditionally hard hitting teams.
This year West looks to be the clear favorite in this matchup due to both depth and experience two things Forbush doesn’t have this year. West could have close to 40 kids on varsity which is huge for them while the ‘Bush has only 24. West is senior laden with a solid junior class while Forbush has only 6 seniors and several juniors and sophomores. West should have the clear edge here. However Forbush shouldn’t be counted out due to their stubborn nature and some of the sophomores were very talented as they beat West last year. This game will come down to if Forbush can hog the ball or not; Johnson’s offense works best when it can get a turnover and milk the clock. West meanwhile hopes to pound Forbush into the ground and runs them out of juice by halftime.
I see here being a comfy win for the Blackhawks but the Bush should have their highlights too.
West Stokes at South Stokes
In what has proved to be a surprisingly hard played rivalry despite West’s lead in the series the Sauras has turned things around the past two years. Last year’s game proved to be well played by South and West had to fight to earn the W in King as it showed South had talent in Sauratown. This year could be potentially much more competitive as the JV players from South are now varsity aged. The past 3 years have had 3 hard fought wins for West on JV.
South is at a bit of a disadvantage as they will be having a first year starter in the QB spot which is a major bummer for them. However they return several solid players especially on the defense and some solid runners to make their offense work. West meanwhile brings back 2 solid offensive backs and several solid lineman. West on paper looks to be solid however in rivalry games especially hard played ones like this series you can throw it out the window easily.
South needs to focus on running the clock down and keeping West’s option game down and out or else Smith will pounce on them all night. I see this one maybe being a thriller but West has enough speed in the skill spots to pull it out.
North Stokes at Alleghany:
Oh boy.
This game has always been one of the area’s more longtime and most interesting matchups. Alleghany has won the most games but N Stokes has always made this game close every year. Back in the 90’s and 00’s in several years this game proved to be one or both team’s best shot at a W. This shouldn’t change this year as the game switches to Sparta.
North Stokes is again fighting the numbers game despite being filled with juniors however the Vikings are desperate for a shot at redemption and this game can offer it. The Trojans meanwhile badly need a jumpstart to their season because it looks to be potentially a long one. Alleghany has a new offense and many new faces as Sessom’s last group of varsity kids are now gone.
Both teams have much to play for here. However it all will depend on if one team can step it up on defense. Alleghany’s D is solid against the run but down against the pass however unless the Vikings have a passing game out of nowhere I don’t see that being much helpful. N Stokes’s best hope is for Alleghany to have several turnovers and a small field or else it could be a long night.