Last week’s picks went amazingly well as I improved to 7-2 for the week. The highlight was picking three previously unbeaten teams to fall and having all three (Salem, Alleghany and Roanoke Catholic) comply in crash and burn fashion by a total margin of 96 points. After last week’s stellar performance the mail started pouring in with questions about my selections. I’ll address a couple in view of space limitations:
Dear Wild Bill: Since the RSS picks are the first to hit the newsstand each week, do you solicit outside help on the choices? ( R.S. / Low Moor,Va)
Answer: Absolutely. I contact Cousin Virgil, distant relative of the late Barney Fife. Virgil has possession of the box to evoke the spirit of Count Isvondalecky. The 400-year-old Count is awesome on high school games.
Dear W.B.: Now that we’ve rolled over Central Michigan, do you see the Hokies running the table and making it to the BCS National Championship game? ( F.B. / Blacksburg,Va)
Answer: Well, F.B., this column is typically limited to high school football. But, I’ll bend the rules this time to give you a detailed and analytically-based answer: NO.
Please Send your questions to: [email protected]
Here’s a look at this week’s high school matchups which include a couple of opponents from outside the area:
In the Western Valley District, Franklin County (5-1) invades Gainer Field to take on the Patriots of Patrick Henry. PH (4-3) won impressively last week on the road at GW Danville, a tall order for sure. Franklin County has all the weapons. PH needs to keep it close into the fourth quarter to have a chance. Franklin County-28 PH-17
William Fleming (0-6) goes out of state looking to pick up its first win. This might not be the best place to look- Bluefield, WV (5-1) is ranked fourth in the West Virginia AA polls and the Beavers have an explosive attack. Bluefield-34 William Fleming-13
In the Blue Ridge, Alleghany pays a visit to Lord Botetourt (3-4). Both are 0-1 in the district, but Alleghany’s (6-1) only loss was to powerful Northside. Expect the Mountaineers to get back on track this week when they roll down Rt. 220 and the Cavs. Alleghany-30 Lord Botetourt-10
Northside entertains William Byrd and unless the Vikings (6-1) have a hangover from their blowout win in Low Moor last Friday they should easily dispatch the Terriers (3-3). Byrd had an open date last week which should rev up Jeff Highfill’s trick plays. Northside-29 William Byrd-13
Blacksburg (3-3) comes to Salem Stadium where the Spartans are still smarting from the Cave Spring smackdown. It’s unthinkable to believe Salem (5-1) would open the River Ridge with two losses. Even with injury problems, there’s too much talent roaming the Salem sidelines for the Bruins to handle. Salem- 27 Blacksburg- 16
Cave Spring (4-2) comes off the big win at home over Salem and travels to postseason-ineligible Pulaski County. It’s tough enough to play at the Cougar den in any circumstances, but this year Pulaski (3-3) can only play the spoiler. Unless the Knight offense goes into high gear, this one may be close. Cave Spring – 26 Pulaski County -24
Christiansburg (6-0) hits the artificial turf at Dwight Bogle Stadium to play Hidden Valley (0-6). Even if Christiansburg is looking ahead to their game next week at Salem, it may be asking too much for the Titans to prevail. Christiansburg – 27 Hidden Valley – 7
Glenvar makes the trip to Riner to battle one-win Auburn in the Three Rivers. Glenvar (5-2) breaks its two-game losing streak in this one with ease. Glenvar- 38 Auburn- 6
North Cross travels to Virginia Beach to take on Atlantic Shores in a VIS contest. It’s the first road game in seven weeks for North Cross (5-2) and the first home game for the Seahawks (4-2). The teams have played one common opponent, Liberty Christian, to whom the Raiders fell by 10 points and Atlantic Christian by 52. North Cross – 22 Atlantic Shores- 9
Roanoke Catholic (4-1) looks to get back in the win column with a trip to Rappahannock County (1-5). Other than a win over a Pennsylvania boarding academy, Rappahannock has been outscored 210-14 in the five losses. Enough said. Roanoke Catholic – 41 Rappahannock- 7
By Bill Turner [email protected]