Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Radford, Blacksburg and Auburn have punched their tickets for this year’s postseason. They join Glenvar, Floyd and Giles to make appearances in the high school football playoffs.
In Region 1C, Auburn is #8 and will travel to top seeded Craig County. Giles will host Bath. Parry McCluer will face Grayson, and Narrows tangles with George Wythe.
In 2C, top seeded Glenvar will host Nelson County. Dan River is at Gretna, Floyd will host James River and Appomattox travels to Radford.
In 3D, #8 Blacksburg will play at #1 George Washington.
Player of week: Jeremiah Barnes passed for over 400 yards in a loss to Salem, and for his effort, he is Week #10’s player of the week.
Barnes set new school record for Christiansburg throwing 25 for 33 for 456 yards with three touchdowns, but Salem would get the 59-26 win as they rolled into the postseason.
Senior Isaiah Cotto lead Christiansburg with nine catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns.
Final Five: 1) Glenvar, 2) William Byrd, 3) Floyd, 4) Radford, 5) Giles.
This week’s games:
Auburn (5-5) at Craig County (9-1)
Auburn did not play as Galax forfeited Friday’s game. Meanwhile Craig recovered from their first loss of the season with a 36-0 win over Meadow Bridge, West Virginia. Noah Paxton rushed for 322 yards on 29 carries with four touchdowns.
Prediction: Auburn 28, Craig 27.
Appomattox (6-4) at Radford (6-4)
Appomattox beat Nelson County 38-7 this past Friday night.
Peyton Dobbins threw four touchdowns on a nine of 15 night through the air for 140 yards in a 41-12 win over Martinsville. Colton Garner-Rollins, Pace Prioleau and Jaden Hendricks all had touchdown receptions.
Prediction: Radford 38, Appomattox 28.
Nelson County (4-6) at Glenvar (10-0)
Last week, Nelson County took a 38-7 loss to Appomattox.
Glenvar lost their starting QB Brady Dawyot in 24-6 win over Floyd to remain unbeaten for the season. His return for the playoffs is questionable.
Prediction: Glenvar 54, Nelson County 10.
James River (5-5) at Floyd (7-3)
James River took fifth loss 35-25 to playoff-bound Carroll County. Floyd fell to Glenvar in their final regular season game of the year.
Prediction: Floyd 32, James River 27.
Blacksburg (5-5) at George Washington (9-1)
Blacksburg fell 35-14 to Patrick Henry but backs into the playoff despite the loss.
GW beat 3D top seeded Magna Vista 50-49. Their loss this season was to Reidsville N.C. in the season opener. Since then GW has rolled outscoring its opponents, 360-163. Wins include 33-31 over Lord Botetourt, 27-16 over William Fleming and 17-13 over E.C. Glass.
Blacksburg will remember a past 5-5 season that led to a state championship. This year could be a mirror of that run. Blacksburg finished eighth in the region point standings, .10 above ninth place Salem, who misses the playoffs for the first time in over eight years.
Prediction: Blacksburg 34, GW 30.
