Wild Bill’s Sports Roundup!

Bill TurnerYea, this is getting sorta scary; spooky, if you will.

And, we’re still over four weeks until Halloween. The Chief might make the sports department wear costumes early this year.

Unbelievably, last week resulted in another perfect prediction slate. That’s the second in three weeks and the seventh in column history. The year-to-date accuracy moved to .878.

The North Cross – Blue Ridge School postponement was removed from the overall numbers since, according to Raider head coach Stephen Alexander on Monday, the makeup date has been set for Tuesday, October 20th, 5:30 pm at Salem High School’s Spartan Field.

That makes for a very unique prediction lineup for the week beginning Friday, October 16th. North Cross will have TWO games for the Ouija in the same week, as the Raiders travel to Hampton Roads Academy in the usual Friday night lineup, then return to take on Blue Ridge four nights later. The mystical board will definitely be put to the test.

The upset specials that have been correct led to more than one reader asking about the biggest upset special in column history.

It was 2011 when the Christiansburg Blue Demons brought an 8-0 record, and #1 ranking in the state, to Bogle Stadium to take on the Cave Spring Knights. Cave Spring had lost its starting quarterback heading into the game and head coach Tim Fulton called on flamboyant Tony Simmons to take over behind center.

Cave Spring was given no chance to keep up with the Demons, but in that week’s Ouija session, the planchette decidedly pointed otherwise. I went with the Board, and predicted the impossible upset. Cave Spring won the game 26-21, and I got requests in the following weeks to predict everything from the likely place of an underground water line leak in one reader’s yard, to suggesting the best date for a wedding.

This Friday night, Christiansburg returns to Bogle for another matchup with the Knights. But, the Ouija moves on its own. Past performances never affect future results. However, watching the planchette begin its journey on this prediction was more than eerie. Read on:

Without further clairvoyant taboos or secrets, let’s get right to this week’s lineup of ‘Big-11’ games, where William Fleming, Glenvar and North Cross all enjoy a week off and no ‘Big-11’ squads play each other.

PATRICK HENRY AT PULASKI COUNTY: PH continued its see-saw season last Friday with the runaway win over Christiansburg. Getting the same results against the Cougars will be a test. Pulaski County- 28 Patrick Henry- 20

SALEM AT CARROLL COUNTY: The Spartans scored 77 points last Friday night…in the first half alone. Can it be possible they top it this week? Salem- 63 Carroll County- 6

WILLIAM BYRD AT STAUNTON RIVER: This one should be a classic shootout. Both teams can light up the scoreboard. Byrd had last week off, while Staunton River improved to 4-1. Upset special in Moneta. William Byrd- 41 Staunton River- 35

ALLEGHANY AT NORTHSIDE: The Vikings pulled out the late win at Lord Botetourt. Alleghany will prove equally challenging. Northside- 27 Alleghany- 23

HIDDEN VALLEY AT BLACKSBURG: A real gut check for the Titans after giving up 77 points last Friday. This one has the making for an upset special. Blacksburg- 24 Hidden Valley- 21

CHRISTIANSBURG AT CAVE SPRING: It was a very undecided decision in this one. Can the Knights score enough points to win? Christiansburg- 23 Cave Spring- 20

LORD BOTETOURT AT ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY: The Cavaliers look to regroup after the heartbreaker against Northside. Sometimes road games achieve focus. Lord Botetourt- 27 Rockbridge County- 14

CRAIG COUNTY AT ROANOKE CATHOLIC: The Rockets invade Vinyard Park. The Celtics look to rebound from a setback against Auburn. Roanoke Catholic- 34 Craig County- 13

Now, to the mailbag, where one readers asks about ‘Big-11’ coverage and another gets a tip on taking pictures in pouring rain.

Dear Wild Bill: You seem on top of predicting the ‘Big-11’. How many of the eleven teams have you actually seen play this year? (Larry/Salem).

In the first five weeks, I’ve seen 10 of the 11 play. The final loophole will be rectified this Friday when I visit Vinyard Field to cover Roanoke Catholic. Beware, Celtic fans. The perfect Loudmouth pants for you guys will be on display.

To The Roanoke Star Photographer: My wife and I have a dinner at Outback riding on this one. Last Friday night we saw you at Lord Botetourt taking pictures in the pouring rain. My wife asked how you keep the camera dry. I explained the function of a camera lens rain-proof cover you guys use. She insisted it looked more like a piece of cloth with little men on it. Tell her I know what I’m talking about. (Edna and Jerry C./ Roanoke)

Edna, order the big sirloin, a Bloomin Onion and a couple adult beverages. Sorry, Jerry. What I was using was an old pair of Christmas snowman underpants. Hey, the camera stayed dry.

Until next time, get your rain-covered lens focused, and send your questions to [email protected].

– Bill Turner

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