By Marty Gordon
Quick and concise COVID testing will allow Radford High School to reopen and restart athletic activities including football.
It had looked as though Radford would have to cancel its final two football games. Now, the final game of the season this weekend against Carroll County is back on.
Dr. Robert Graham, superintendent of schools in Radford, said he was excited to announce that they will be returning to in-person learning much earlier than anticipated at John Dalton Middle and Radford High School.
“Our football team was tested at NRV pediatrics, and only one member of the team tested positive,” Dr. Graham said. “In addition, our school nurses, who are absolutely fantastic, have concluded their contact tracing from last week’s spread of the virus and have all students who had direct exposure quarantined until they are safely able to return.”
All extracurricular activities except for football were cleared to resume on Monday. Football practice was cleared to resume today, March 31.
This means Radford and Carroll will play no later than Saturday in the final game of the season.
The “Battle of the Burgs” takes place Friday night when Christiansburg travels to Blacksburg. The winner will receive the ceremonial “Huckleberry Coal Miner’s helmet.”
Game previews:
Radford (3-1) at Carroll County (4-1)
We don’t know how this past week’s football shutdown at Radford will affect the Bobcats, but they will be trying to rebound from a loss to Glenvar. A win by Radford could give the team a postseason berth. Carroll seems poised to take the same step in 3D region play after dropping down from Class 4 this past season.
Carroll is in the second spot of the regional standings and could still make the playoffs even with a loss.
The Cavaliers have outscored their opponents 123-74 but fell 40-0 to Galax in their last game. In the loss, Galax limited Carroll to 94 yards of total offense.
Wins have come over James River, Giles, Bassett and Floyd. In the win over James River, Carroll’s Brady Dalton completed eight of 10 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 99 yards and another score.
Coach Monty Chipman is in his first year after leaving North Wilkes High School in North Carolina.
In Radford’s loss to Glenvar, Darius Wesley-Brubeck rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown for the Bobcats. PJ Prioleau had three receptions for 97 yards while quarterback Zane Rupe was six of 22 for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: Radford 24, Carroll County 21
Christiansburg (2-3) at Blacksburg (0-5)
Last week: Blacksburg was idle while Christiansburg picked up a 23-6 win over Cave Spring. Casey Graham passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Travis Altizer caught three passes for 121 yards for the Blue Demons. Dixon Arita connected on three field goals in the win including two from 34 yards and another from 19 yards out.
Prediction: Christiansburg 34, Blacksburg 10
Bland (0-5) at Auburn
Last week: Bland was shut out in a 30-0 loss to Grayson County. The Bears have been outscored 251 to 28 this season. Bland did not field a team in 2019 because of the lack of participants.
Auburn’s contest against Galax was postponed because of heavy rain.
Prediction: Auburn 23, Bland 18
Going into this final week, the points standings in the regions are tight. For example, Christiansburg remains tied for fifth with Northside in 3D, but just 1.25 out of the final spot to make the postseason.
Only four teams from each region make the playoffs this year with Lord Botetourt running away with Region 3D with 27.2 points. Abingdon is second at 23.5, while Carroll County is third with 21.2 points. Fourth-place William Byrd is slightly ahead of Christiansburg and Northside for the final selection.
With Radford starting its football program back up, the Bobcats will now play Carroll County. In 2C Radford remains in fifth at 17.25 slightly behind Ft. Chiswell at 17.75. Glenvar is third at 18.8. Appomattox leads 2C with 21.6 points followed by Dan River with 20.66.
Galax leads 1C with 21.5 points. Narrows in second at 20.4. Grayson and Parry McCluer are tied for third with 15 points while George Wythe has 14.0 in fifth place.
Eastern Montgomery and Auburn have outside shots at making the playoffs with 12.5 and 11 points respectively.
