When the schedule-maker plotted out all of this season's Shenandoah District games, who knew that the final night of the regular season would come down to one final BIG game for all the marbles? But that is exactly what will happen Friday night in Fishersville when the Stuarts Draft Cougars pay a visit to arch-rival Wilson.
The math is pretty simple....a Hornet win hands them the title with a perfect 8-0 district record and knocks the Cougars down to third place at 6-2, with 7-1 Alleghany wedged in between them. With that in mind, the Alleghany version of Cougars will be pulling loud and long for their fellow cats to claw their way to an upset because that would create a three-way tie with all three teams finishing 7-1 in district play.
Of course all three will advance to playoff competition, as will Riverheads, Buffalo Gap and Fort Defiance. Not only that but there is a mathematical possibility for the district race to finish with a nice 1 through 9 ranking. with no ties to be found. If so, that would be Wilson, Alleghany, Stuarts Draft, Riverheads, Fort Defiance, Buffalo Gap, Waynesboro, Staunton, Rockbridge. But before we explore all of that, let's wrap up the regular season with this slate of games...........saving the best for last of course!
ALLEGHANY AT ROCKBRIDGE: You may see a surprising score for this one, something like 41-20 and you will ask yourself "How did Rockbridge keep it that close?" If so, it will most likely be because the Cougars got the game under control and then rested their starters, knowing that playoffs are ahead. There is enough of a talent difference for this one to be a 63-0 game, but that would not prove anything, so watch for a Cougar victory but not necessarily an embarrassment.
BUFFALO GAP: The Bison are this week's team that gets the week off, as they have finished their season at 3-5 in district play and 4-6 overall. But do not let that record fool you. They have improved by leaps and bounds as the season has played on and they will be a tough out for anyone in the Region 1-B playoffs. They are currently locked in a three-way battle with Riverheads and Luray for the 3/4/5 spots, so all they can do is watch and wait for someone to tell them when and where to show up. They can also use the week off to heal any injuries they might have and can also scout potential opponents up close and personal.
STAUNTON AT FORT DEFIANCE: This game pits two teams that are going in opposite directions. The Storm won their first three games of the season but have not tasted victory since, even though they had a head-scratching one-point loss at Alleghany. The Fort on the other hand has survived a mid-season cold spell and now seems ready to make the most of their Region 2-B playoff chances. Look for an Indian win in this one as Staunton is most likely looking forward to basketball season.
WAYNESBORO AT RIVERHEADS: This has not been the typical dominating kind of season that Gladiator fans have become accustomed to, but the strength of the district and the relative youth of the team have had something to do with that. They will only send off 12 seniors Friday night and quite a number of the skill players will be back next season. Waynesboro on the other hand took some great strides toward building a solid program, and they are probably already looking forward to next season. Riverheads should prevail in this one and just might be peaking at the right time to make a strong post-season statement.
STUARTS DRAFT AT WILSON: In a number of sports, football included, these two seem to love beating one another on the road. That might bode well for the Cougars. However, if you compare scores from their other district games, Wilson has definitely had the stronger season, highlighted of course by their huge 17-3 road win at Alleghany. Also the Cougars had a much tougher than expected time Friday night with the much-improved Bison. I see Wilson as about a two-touchdown favorite, but the question will be whether it is a 21-7 defensive slugfest or a 49-35 shootout? I am inclined to go more with the defensive battle.
The math is pretty simple....a Hornet win hands them the title with a perfect 8-0 district record and knocks the Cougars down to third place at 6-2, with 7-1 Alleghany wedged in between them. With that in mind, the Alleghany version of Cougars will be pulling loud and long for their fellow cats to claw their way to an upset because that would create a three-way tie with all three teams finishing 7-1 in district play.
Of course all three will advance to playoff competition, as will Riverheads, Buffalo Gap and Fort Defiance. Not only that but there is a mathematical possibility for the district race to finish with a nice 1 through 9 ranking. with no ties to be found. If so, that would be Wilson, Alleghany, Stuarts Draft, Riverheads, Fort Defiance, Buffalo Gap, Waynesboro, Staunton, Rockbridge. But before we explore all of that, let's wrap up the regular season with this slate of games...........saving the best for last of course!
ALLEGHANY AT ROCKBRIDGE: You may see a surprising score for this one, something like 41-20 and you will ask yourself "How did Rockbridge keep it that close?" If so, it will most likely be because the Cougars got the game under control and then rested their starters, knowing that playoffs are ahead. There is enough of a talent difference for this one to be a 63-0 game, but that would not prove anything, so watch for a Cougar victory but not necessarily an embarrassment.
BUFFALO GAP: The Bison are this week's team that gets the week off, as they have finished their season at 3-5 in district play and 4-6 overall. But do not let that record fool you. They have improved by leaps and bounds as the season has played on and they will be a tough out for anyone in the Region 1-B playoffs. They are currently locked in a three-way battle with Riverheads and Luray for the 3/4/5 spots, so all they can do is watch and wait for someone to tell them when and where to show up. They can also use the week off to heal any injuries they might have and can also scout potential opponents up close and personal.
STAUNTON AT FORT DEFIANCE: This game pits two teams that are going in opposite directions. The Storm won their first three games of the season but have not tasted victory since, even though they had a head-scratching one-point loss at Alleghany. The Fort on the other hand has survived a mid-season cold spell and now seems ready to make the most of their Region 2-B playoff chances. Look for an Indian win in this one as Staunton is most likely looking forward to basketball season.
WAYNESBORO AT RIVERHEADS: This has not been the typical dominating kind of season that Gladiator fans have become accustomed to, but the strength of the district and the relative youth of the team have had something to do with that. They will only send off 12 seniors Friday night and quite a number of the skill players will be back next season. Waynesboro on the other hand took some great strides toward building a solid program, and they are probably already looking forward to next season. Riverheads should prevail in this one and just might be peaking at the right time to make a strong post-season statement.
STUARTS DRAFT AT WILSON: In a number of sports, football included, these two seem to love beating one another on the road. That might bode well for the Cougars. However, if you compare scores from their other district games, Wilson has definitely had the stronger season, highlighted of course by their huge 17-3 road win at Alleghany. Also the Cougars had a much tougher than expected time Friday night with the much-improved Bison. I see Wilson as about a two-touchdown favorite, but the question will be whether it is a 21-7 defensive slugfest or a 49-35 shootout? I am inclined to go more with the defensive battle.
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