“Big-11” Looking Strong For Playoff Berths Heading Into Week-10

dsc_0044-800x531
Hidden Valley quarterback Jonah Fitzgerald has thrown for 17 touchdown passes this season as the Titans look to improve their playoff seed in the Group 3A West rankings in the final two weeks.

Things are looking good for our “Big-11” teams heading into the final two weeks of high school football’s regular season.

Now, it’s time for teams to position themselves for the playoff seedings that will determine the difference between home games and having to hit the road for postseason play.

William Byrd, Salem, Lord Botetourt, Patrick Henry and Glenvar have themselves in great shape in the VHSL rankings.Same can be said of our pair of VIS private school squads, North Cross and Roanoke Catholic.

The final two weeks will prove to be crucial for Hidden Valley, Northside and Cave Spring in the Group 3A West rankings and seedings.

Here’s a look at the results of last weekend’s games. Roanoke Catholic enjoyed a bye week heading into their regular season finale at Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot

Salem-21 Patrick Henry-7
Salem held off the Patriots at Salem Stadium in the much-anticipated matchup between one-loss teams. Salem led 7-0 at the halftime break as both defenses dominated. The teams traded touchdown passes in the third quarter, with Spartan quarterback Noah Beckley hitting Joseph Quinn from 16 yards out and Patriot QB Jontae Murray hooking up with Andrew Harris on a 33-yard scoring strike with just over 8 minutes left. De’Angelo Ramsey finished the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter to secure Salem’s seventh straight win.

North Cross-48 Fuqua-21
North Cross spotted Fuqua a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter, but the Raiders stormed back by scoring 48 unanswered points to remain undefeated at 8-0. Raider quarterback Miles Lowman threw for four touchdowns, including bombs of 85 and 96 yards to receiver Tyler Slash. Jarion Jenkins-Saunders scored 4 TDs, three on runs of 26, 24 and 30 yards to go along with a 10-yard TD reception.

William Byrd-42 Alleghany-7
The Terriers won for the seventh time this season with the easy win in Low Moor. Byrd went up 35-0 at halftime with the help of running back Larry Basham’s 27th and 28th touchdowns of the season. Terrier quarterback Reece Watson threw touchdown passes of 23 and 40 yards and scored on a 46-yard keeper. Byrd travels to Lord Botetourt this Friday night to take on the undefeated Cavaliers.

Hidden Valley-56 Christiansburg-21
Hidden Valley squared its record at 4-4 with the runaway win at Dwight Bogle Stadium. The Titans ran out to a 42-7 halftime lead and never looked back in dispatching the winless Blue Demons. Hidden Valley running back Cason Bennett scored on touchdown runs of 5, 4, 13 and 1 yards, while Titan quarterback Jonah Fitzgerald threw three TD passes. Navy recruit Ryan Mitchell hauled in a touchdown pass and scored on a 53-yard interception return in the third quarter.

Glenvar-18 Eastern Montgomery-7
Glenvar dodged the upset bid by the Mustangs in Elliston as the Highlanders improved to 6-2 on the season. Highlander running back Brady Loder scored on touchdown runs of 3 and 4 yards to help stake Glenvar to a 18-0 lead at the break, and Glenvar held on in the second half against gritty EastMont.

Lord Botetourt-17 William Fleming-7
Lord Botetourt was held to its lowest offensive output of the season by a scrappy Fleming team, but the Cavaliers escaped with the win at Fleming Stadium. Botetourt improved to 8-0 on the season heading into this Friday night’s clash with one-loss William Byrd in Daleville. Botetourt led 10-0 at the halftime break before Fleming’s Malik Traynham made things interesting when he scored on a 67-yard pass reception to close the gap to 10-7 heading to the fourth quarter. Garrison Mayo spoiled the upset bid by Fleming when he pulled in a 36-yard touchdown pass from Botetourt QB Grayson Bond in the fourth.

Northside-57 Rockbridge County-28
The Vikings jumped out to a 24-8 halftime lead and was up 42-8 before winless Rockbridge County rallied late in the game against the Viking reserves. Northside running back Tra’ Jackson led the way for the Vikings, scoring on touchdown runs of 55, 7, 13 and 19 yards as Norrhside won for the third time this season.

Blacksburg-35 Cave Spring-23
Cave Spring spotted the visitors from Blacksburg a 21-7 halftime lead, and a late Knight rally fell short in game played Saturday night at Dwight Bogle Stadium. Cave Spring
trailed 35-10 midway through the fourth quarter before the Knights hit on pair of big-play scores. Austin Ragan hauled in a 53-yard touchdown pass from Cave Spring QB Jacob
Knight and Cameron Caldwell returned a blocked punt 48 yards for a Cave Spring touchdown. Cave Spring now finishes the season with home games against Salem and
Hidden Valley.

Bill Turner

Latest Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

- Advertisement -

Related Articles