A little housekeeping to open this week’s column, where a pair of thank-yous are in order.
First, a big round of applause to Franklin County Speedway owner Whitey Taylor and track manager Flip Carico for inviting the Wild Bill show to ride in the ceremonial pace lap at a recent FCS race.
The red carpet treatment from the drivers was great for a guy who had never seen a stock car race. FCS gets a five-star review here, plus they won over a new fan when Mrs. Wild BIll was enlisted to drop the green flag to start the feature race. For the record, racing will return Sept. 15th to the Callaway track, followed by eight straight Saturday night races beginning Sept. 29th to crown the Buck Wild points champion.
Last Friday night, Wild Bill made his radio debut along side the voice of Roanoke Valley sports, Dave Ross, We talked high school football before the Fleming-Amherst game, with a nice promo given by Ross to The Roanoke Star.
It was great on-the-air opportunity with a Hall of Fame broadcaster. Maybe I should have asked Ross for help with my predictions, but last week’s 6-3 record is good enough to keep plugging along. Let’s get right to work to unscramble this week’s nine ‘Big-11’ games and hopefully give you an idea of what to expect in week-three.
Franklin County at Salem: Group AAA visits Group AA in a primetime matchup at Salem Stadium. Last Friday the Spartan fans had to share their crib’s parking with the Salem Red Sox clan. They’ll need the whole lot this week, where the big winner may be in the 50-50 halftime drawing. Salem seems set to make a statement. Are the great Wolverine days of Andrew Lewis back in Salem? Salem- 24 Franklin County- 21.
Pulaski County at Patrick Henry: Group AA visits Group AAA in a shootout on Grandin Road. Pulaski escaped Northside last week with an overtime win, and Cougar-Country will bring a huge crowd to town. PH won last year by 24. A litle closer this time: Patrick Henry- 27 Pulaski County- 20.
William Fleming at Magna Vista: The Colonels are still looking for their first touchdown of 2012. Magna Vista put up 48 points last week after suffering their first regular season loss in two years in week one. Fleming may be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I’m predicting the Colonels break the TD drought: Magna Vista- 42 William Fleming- 7.
Lord Botetourt at Hidden Valley: Botetourt first-year head coach Jamie Harless returns to the scene of many of his victories while an assistant at Cave Spring. The Titan defense is tough, as evidenced by their shutout of Byrd last Friday. May be asking too much for a Cavalier scoring binge: Hidden Valley- 20 Lord Botetourt- 7.
Cave Spring at Northside: Cave Spring may have its hands full against an angry Viking team that has opened 0-2, including the overtime setback to Pulaski. Cave Spring will open it up through the air, but the Northside offense may be ready in week-three. Northside- 27 Cave Spring- 23.
William Byrd at Brookville: The Terriers, coming off a shutout at the hands of Hidden Valley, now walk into a beehive at Brookville. The Bees have shown no mercy so far this year in the opening two weeks: Brookville- 38 William Byrd- 7.
James Monroe, WV at Glenvar: Seems like only last year I said I knew nothing about James Monroe, except his famous doctrine. Then Glenvar won 35-13. I’ll tell you now that Monroe soundly defeated Rufus King in the great election of 1816. See readers, you always learn something in my column. Ditto for the score: Glenvar- 26 James Monroe- 18.
Blessed Sacrament at North Cross: Blessed Sacrament always has the bodies, and that may be the difference against a 21-man Raider roster. It may be expecting too much from a young North Cross team to beat a Blessed Sacrament squad that is flying high after an overtime win over Atlantic Shores last week: Blessded Sacrament- 28 North Cross- 20.
Roanoke Catholic at Brunswick Academy: Catholic knocked off Brunswick by 18 last year, but Brunswick won by 39 last week and the Celtics are a young team that fell 35-0 to Fredricksburg Christian. Look for a close game: Brunswick – 24 Roanoke Catholic- 22.
Now, a quick peek at the mailbag, where an old favorite revisits to ask a question and a reader looks for a cheap route on an engagement ring.
Dear Dr. Bill: Any suggestion on how to ease the pain of my planters wart? I’ve tried sponge insoles and nothing gives me comfort. (Myrtle/Roanoke)
Good to hear from you again, Myrtle. Third year in a row you’ve sent a foot care question to the football column. I’m forwarding it to Dr. Pendyke to hopefully get you relief.
Dear Wild Bill: I’m getting engaged next month and need advice on a late-night product. Do you think the Novo Yoshi Blue frying pan, since it’s encrusted with a surface of diamonds, will get me by until the economy improves? (Bubba/Callands)
Go for it Bubba. Any woman would appreciate a diamond engagement frying pan. Sizing may be difficult, but what the heck.
Until next week, prepare for a ding over the head, and send your questions to: [email protected]
