As you guys know by now, the Hornets surprised Alleghany 17-3 on its own field Friday night. Prior to that, the Cougars were undefeated, not only in the district but overall. Based on their impressive 25-point victory over a very good Stuarts Draft team a few weeks ago, it looked like they would run the table and claim the Shenandoah crown in their first year in the district.
Meanwhile, Wilson had posted four shutouts in its five wins and had allowed points to be scored against them only twice. But still, did we think they would really be able to stop the Cougar offense in its tracks? As we know now, they did exactly that, although the media coverage over here did not really clarify how much Jordan played, if he was 100%, or whatever.
Regardless, a win is a win and the Hornets have to now be considered the favorite to win the district. The title game will now be played on the final night of the regular season, when Stuarts Draft comes to Fishersville, which will be the kind of drama fans want to see. A win that night likely gives Wilson the title but a Cougar win could mean a tie. Furthermore, Alleghany could make it a three-way tie if they win out.
So as we play out these last three weeks, Alleghany fans will be hoping for any loss by either Wilson or SD (preferably both), and Wilson/SD fans would like nothing better than for Riverheads to beat Alleghany this week (more on that in a minute) so as to knock the Cougars out altogether. (We have too many Cougars in this district but I am sure you guys followed that!)
But let's take things one week at a time and one game at a time, so this Friday the 24th, that game in Greenville looks like the most meaningful game on paper, but there are three others, with Stuarts Draft being the team that has the night off this week. Unlike last week's schedule when none of the county teams played at home, this time there will be four home games for fans to consider, and here they are..........
WAYNESBORO AT BUFFALO GAP: Even if they don't win another game, and they will not likely be favored in any of their remaining contests, the Little Giants have made a statement this season and have definitely taken a step in the right direction. Buffalo Gap on the other hand seems to have hit its stride now and the Bison appear ready to make some post-season noise. As I mentioned Friday night, their win over Staunton was not a surprise but the score certainly was. They will get a chance to upset the Stuarts Draft apple cart before the season ends, but first things first........look for about a three-touchdown Bison win in this one.
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY AT FORT DEFIANCE: If there was ever a team that needed a week off, it was the Indians and they got it last week. They have been shut out in three of their last four games and have yet to win a home contest. Conversely they were 3-0 on the road before being whitewashed at Riverheads in their last outing. Still they appear to be in playoff contention in Region 2-B and on paper have a chance at a break-even season. Rockbridge has some athletes but something is missing, so look for the Fort to finally get that home win and finish the season with some confidence.
STAUNTON AT WILSON: The Storm has certainly been the most unpredictable team in the league this year. People still talk about their almost-upset of Alleghany early in the season, and they at least threw a scare into Stuarts Draft on their last road trip. Yet they barely squeaked by Rockbridge at home and have suffered home losses to Waynesboro and Buffalo Gap that bordered on embarrassing. Wilson of course will have to come back down to earth after their monster win in Covington, but they will keep their eye on the prize, and even if Staunton tries to make a game of it.......no way will the Hornets let this one slip away.
ALLEGHANY AT RIVERHEADS: For most of the season, this one looked like a guaranteed win for the Cougars on their march to the promised land. After all they were undefeated, whereas RHS has frankly had an uncharacteristically average year, losing two games in a row at one point, and just barely playing .500 ball. But with the Gladiators now riding a two-game winning streak, and with the Cougars' loss Friday night, the Big Red could not ASK for better timing for this one. Will they be able to kick the Cougars while they are down or will Alleghany come in more determined than ever? Their respective styles of play could not be more different, so this one will come down to a question of whether Alleghany's offense will be explosive enough to overwhelm the Gladiators, or will RHS be able to control the tempo and frustrate the visitors into a loss? Objectively, you have to consider the season as a whole, which should favor Alleghany, but Riverheads protects its home turf, so there could be celebrations Friday night in Greenville as well as Fishersville and Stuarts Draft.
Weather-wise it looks like another dry but bundle up night, so everyone drive carefully and may the best teams win.
Meanwhile, Wilson had posted four shutouts in its five wins and had allowed points to be scored against them only twice. But still, did we think they would really be able to stop the Cougar offense in its tracks? As we know now, they did exactly that, although the media coverage over here did not really clarify how much Jordan played, if he was 100%, or whatever.
Regardless, a win is a win and the Hornets have to now be considered the favorite to win the district. The title game will now be played on the final night of the regular season, when Stuarts Draft comes to Fishersville, which will be the kind of drama fans want to see. A win that night likely gives Wilson the title but a Cougar win could mean a tie. Furthermore, Alleghany could make it a three-way tie if they win out.
So as we play out these last three weeks, Alleghany fans will be hoping for any loss by either Wilson or SD (preferably both), and Wilson/SD fans would like nothing better than for Riverheads to beat Alleghany this week (more on that in a minute) so as to knock the Cougars out altogether. (We have too many Cougars in this district but I am sure you guys followed that!)
But let's take things one week at a time and one game at a time, so this Friday the 24th, that game in Greenville looks like the most meaningful game on paper, but there are three others, with Stuarts Draft being the team that has the night off this week. Unlike last week's schedule when none of the county teams played at home, this time there will be four home games for fans to consider, and here they are..........
WAYNESBORO AT BUFFALO GAP: Even if they don't win another game, and they will not likely be favored in any of their remaining contests, the Little Giants have made a statement this season and have definitely taken a step in the right direction. Buffalo Gap on the other hand seems to have hit its stride now and the Bison appear ready to make some post-season noise. As I mentioned Friday night, their win over Staunton was not a surprise but the score certainly was. They will get a chance to upset the Stuarts Draft apple cart before the season ends, but first things first........look for about a three-touchdown Bison win in this one.
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY AT FORT DEFIANCE: If there was ever a team that needed a week off, it was the Indians and they got it last week. They have been shut out in three of their last four games and have yet to win a home contest. Conversely they were 3-0 on the road before being whitewashed at Riverheads in their last outing. Still they appear to be in playoff contention in Region 2-B and on paper have a chance at a break-even season. Rockbridge has some athletes but something is missing, so look for the Fort to finally get that home win and finish the season with some confidence.
STAUNTON AT WILSON: The Storm has certainly been the most unpredictable team in the league this year. People still talk about their almost-upset of Alleghany early in the season, and they at least threw a scare into Stuarts Draft on their last road trip. Yet they barely squeaked by Rockbridge at home and have suffered home losses to Waynesboro and Buffalo Gap that bordered on embarrassing. Wilson of course will have to come back down to earth after their monster win in Covington, but they will keep their eye on the prize, and even if Staunton tries to make a game of it.......no way will the Hornets let this one slip away.
ALLEGHANY AT RIVERHEADS: For most of the season, this one looked like a guaranteed win for the Cougars on their march to the promised land. After all they were undefeated, whereas RHS has frankly had an uncharacteristically average year, losing two games in a row at one point, and just barely playing .500 ball. But with the Gladiators now riding a two-game winning streak, and with the Cougars' loss Friday night, the Big Red could not ASK for better timing for this one. Will they be able to kick the Cougars while they are down or will Alleghany come in more determined than ever? Their respective styles of play could not be more different, so this one will come down to a question of whether Alleghany's offense will be explosive enough to overwhelm the Gladiators, or will RHS be able to control the tempo and frustrate the visitors into a loss? Objectively, you have to consider the season as a whole, which should favor Alleghany, but Riverheads protects its home turf, so there could be celebrations Friday night in Greenville as well as Fishersville and Stuarts Draft.
Weather-wise it looks like another dry but bundle up night, so everyone drive carefully and may the best teams win.
