Well, after seeing the mailbag this week there’s no reason to plug in the applause meter. My RSS predictions were an ASTOUNDING 10-0 last week and several readers are asking for one-on-one hookups with my esteemed consort, Count Isvondalecky. Sorry everyone, the Count will be in Blacksburg to oversee the Hokies take on Duke this Saturday. He did mention that he sees VT doing better this week than the last time they took on some other Dukes.
Now, let’s go to the bulging mailbag and pick a few questions at random-
Dear Wild One: Over the years you’ve obviously seen a lot of games, unbelievable plays and fantastic comebacks. What’s the most stupendous thing you’ve ever seen during a high school football game? ( Gretta / Roanoke)
Answer: Cheerleaders
Dear Mr. Bill: My husband and I were in Las Vegas years ago for the Super Bowl. They were making predictions for everything, such as when the first touchdown would be scored or how many field goals kicked. Do you ever get odd requests for a prediction? ( Mary and Tiny / Galax)
Answer: Yea, Mary. Every Friday night at Bogle Stadium a heavyset couple tracks me down to predict when in the second half hot dogs and funnel cakes will be reduced to half price.
Dear Wild: Will you pick an all-star team at the end of the year? (Roy / Salem)
Answer: No need to, Roy. Just get a roster of every team. Any kid that will put on the uniform and practice for four months in weather ranging from 100 degrees in August to freezing rain in November is an all-star in my book.
Please send your questions to: [email protected]
Here are the matchups for this week as district play gets serious.
In the Western Valley District the big crosstown rivalry hits Gainer Field as Patrick Henry (4-4) entertains William Fleming (0-7). This one may be a lot closer than many think. Fleming has fallen to a string of tough teams, but the Patriots have been giving up points lately. The PH defense may hold serve in this one.
PH – 23 Fleming – 19
Lord Botetourt (3-5) travels to Vinton to take on Byrd (3-4). Both teams are looking for their first district win. Byrd may have more weapons and repeat last year’s close win. Byrd – 20 Lord Botetourt – 16
In the River Ridge matchup everyone has been waiting for, the #1 team in Group AA, Christiansburg (7-0), comes to Salem Stadium to take on the Spartans (6-1). Salem has looked sluggish the last four weeks and the season-ending loss of Seth Fisher in the loss to Cave Spring made things worse. The Blue Demons knocked Salem out of the playoffs last year after losing to the Spartans in triple-OT during the regular season. Playing at Salem is always tough, but the Christiansburg defense should be up to the task.
Christiansburg – 24 Salem – 20
Blacksburg (3-4) comes to Bogle Stadium to try to corral the high-powered Cave Spring (5-2) attack. This is the textbook example of a trap game for the Knights. Cave Spring is coming off a blowout of Salem two weeks ago, a win at Pulaski last week and a potentential River Ridge title showdown next week at Christiansburg. Never take a Dave Crist team lightly. Josh Woodrum and his pac-man receiving corps should make itself home at Bogle. Cave Spring – 27 Blacksburg – 13
Winless Hidden Valley (0-7) travels to Pulaski County (3-4) to invade the Cougar den. Pulaski got stomped by Cave Spring last week so this is a bad week for the Titans to be visiting. Pulaski County – 30 Hidden Valley – 17
Glenvar travels to Radford for a key Three Rivers contest. Radford has lost two straight which makes the road tougher for the Highlanders. Radford won 9-6 last year, but Glenvar knows how to put points on the board. Home field rules. Radford – 21 Glenvar – 20
Roanoke Catholic (5-1) plays host to Fuqua School (6-1). The Falcons’ only real test was a blowout loss to Blessed Sacrament. Catholic looks to rebound from last year’s loss at Fuqua 43-35. Roanoke Catholic – 28 Fuqua – 20
North Cross (5-2) travels to North Carolina for the second time this year. The first trip ended with a 54-0 loss to Ben L. Smith in Greensboro. This time the Raiders go farther south to play the independent powerhouse Charlotte Latin (6-1). The Hawks have scored over 50 in three of their wins and won by 24 at North Cross last year.
Charlotte Latin – 34 North Cross – 16
By Bill Turner [email protected]