Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Blacksburg High School has put together a two-game win streak to start the 2025 season. The last time the Bruins won two in a row was during the 2018 season when they finished 13-1 and rolled deep into the postseason.
Eastern Montgomery and Christiansburg are still looking for their first win of the season, while Auburn and Radford are now 1-1.
Player of the week: Blacksburg QB Sam Szefc is having early season success, throwing for three touchdowns this past week.
Area Top Five: 1) Glenvar, 2) William Byrd, 3) Salem, 4) Narrows, 5) Northside. Poll buster to watch: Blacksburg.
This week:
Blacksburg (2-0) at Floyd (1-0)
Blacksburg’s Sam Szefc threw for three touchdowns as the Bruins downed James River 36-26. The Bruin QB was 10 of 12 for 140yards. He also rushed for 72 yards and had two rushing scores of his own. Jaxon Keys finished with 93 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown. Luke Man also rushed for another score.
Prediction: Blacksburg 32, Floyd 30.
William Byrd (2-0) at Christiansburg (0-2)
Byrd rolled in a 65-3 win over Hidden Valley as Jamez Toler scored two times and rushed for 157 yards on just eight carries. Keith Green had two receptions to go with 102 yards.
Christiansburg had no answer for regional foe Abingdon in a road loss and continues to go backwards in this early season. The Blue Demons were one of six on fourth down attempts and could not punch it into the endzone late in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Byrd 34, Christiansburg 20.
Auburn (1-1) at Ft. Chiswell (0-2)
Auburn picked up their first win of the season and the first in three years, downing Smith Mt. Academy.
The Fort did not have the same results, falling 48-10 to George Wythe.
Northwood (1-0) at Eastern Montgomery (0-2)
Last week, Eastern Montgomery ran into a buzz saw, falling 40-8 to Rural Retreat. Chase Bierman did throw a touchdown for the Mustangs.
Prediction: Eastern Montgomery 27, Northwood 20.
Radford (1-1) at Alleghany (2-0)
Radford could not hold off Giles late in the second half, falling 34-21. Peyton Dobbins completed 13 of 26 passes for 175 yards with two touchdowns. Giles’ Jalen Miller rushed for 206 yards against the Bobcats.
Alleghany rallied last week slipping by Brookville 27-26. Dez Jordan was 12 of 14 through the air for 119 yards, while rushing for another 125. He also threw for three scores. Carter Nicely rushed for 124 yards on 23 carries.
Prediction: Radford 32, Alleghany 30.
