Well, The Chief called it a sojourn in parts unknown. I called it a break from the column, but now it’s back to the grind.
With our popular weekly high school football predictions just around the corner, The Chief may need to get an armored truck lined up if my predictions are comparable in value to those of another state clairvoyant. Read on for the scoop.
We begin this edition with some VHSL awards passed out in July involving ‘Big-11’ teams.
In Group 6A girls lacrosse, five Patrick Henry players were named to the Girls All-State Second Team. Congratulations to Anna Kate Draper (sr. attack), Ashley Lemon (sr. midfielder), Calleigh Lucas (sr. midfielder), Cailyn Hash (sr. defender) and Katie Trent (jr. goalie).
In the Boys 6A lacrosse ranks, PH sr. attacker Sam Boxley was named to the All-State First Team, while jr. attacker Noah Hollander and sophomores Brice Johnson (midfielder), Kyle Mollica (midfielder) and Andrew Hamilton (defender) were named All-State Second Team. Patriot boys head coach Josh Wilkinson earned 6A Coach of the Year.
In Group 3A softball, Cave Spring infielder Kylie Kent was named to the VHSL All-State Second Team.
High school football practice is underway and opening night on August 28th means the Ouija has already been tuned up. There’s a number of changes for 2015 in the ‘Big-11’. Here’s a few of the highlights, including Thursday and Saturday night lights joining the more familiar Friday night ones.
Patrick Henry moves from Group 6A to 5A, yet the River Ridge Patriots only play one 5A team this year, with the other nine opponents coming from the 4A or 3A ranks. The familiarity of a late-season matchup and cross-city rivalry between PH and William Fleming moves to September 11th this year, the third game of the season. William Byrd makes the jump from Group 3A to 4A, yet the Blue Ridge Terriers only play a pair of 4A teams on their 10-game schedule. William Fleming, in Group 4A, plays five of its first six games against 4A or higher opponents.
Cave Spring has quite the schedule. The 3A Knights play five games against 4A or 5A schools in addition to a week-three road trip to defending Group 2A state champion Glenvar. One Cave Spring home game moves to a Thursday night on October 8th when Patrick Henry travels to Bogle Stadium for the second time in 2015. That same night, Salem gets in the act with a game at Blacksburg.
And, Hidden Valley fans better be on their toes as the 3A Titans also take on 5 teams from 4A or 5A ranks, as well as an unusual home game against Liberty in week-4 that will be played on Saturday night, September 19th, at Bogle.
The Roanoke Valley Sports Club, fresh off its UVA and VA Tech football nights, returns to Roanoke Country Club for its August 24th meeting. Karl Kuhn, pitching coach for the NCAA baseball national champion UVA Cavaliers, will be the featured speaker. A 5:45 social will be followed by the 6:15 dinner meeting. Contact Maggie Drewry at 540-353-1103 for information or to purchase tickets.
Now, to the mail bag where a reader points out I might not be using my reliable Ouija Board to its fullest monetary potential.
Dear Wild Bill: Aren’t you selling your amazingly accurate predictions a little short. Some gal in Charlottesville has been making her tarot card and palmistry predictions with a slightly larger price tag. (Winston/ Roanoke)
Yea, Winston, I’ve heard about that. A clairvoyant that received over $725,000 for her readings. One client complained that he came to talk to his grandfather, but she was only able to summon his mother-in-law. I haven’t passed it by The Chief, but if we can bring in over $700,000 with a Ouija outing, we can call it our Roanoke Star Wild Bill Platinum Reading. Heck, for that kind of loot, I’ll throw in some Wild Bill Burgers for the client, and a dozen more for his mother-in-law.
Until next time, get those C-Notes counted and send your questions to: [email protected]
