By Marty Gordon
The losing streak for Blacksburg High School is over.
Football fans had seen the Bruins’ mark stretch back three years, but Friday night, they rolled in a 40-14 win over Floyd in earning their first since October 2019.
QB Ethan Karpa completed 15 of 25 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns, and Javier Waldron had seven receptions for 104 yards.
Eastern Montgomery also picked up their first win of the year, while Radford and Christiansburg remained unbeaten.
Area’s Top Five: 1) Christiansburg, 2) Salem, 3) Radford, 4) Glenvar, 5) Narrows.
This week’s games:
Cave Spring at Christiansburg
Cave is 1-2 after last week’s 7-3 loss to Glenvar. Their lone win this season was 42-3 over Western Albermarle in Week One. The other loss was 30-27 to Northside. Cave was 6-5 last season including a 24-14 loss to Christiansburg.
After the departure of Nick Leftwich to William Fleming earlier this year, Cave Spring High School introduced Hunter Shepherd as its new varsity head football coach on Friday. The 27-year-old William Byrd alum spent the last four years as the defensive coordinator at Staunton River.
Prediction: Christiansburg 38, Cave 14.
Rockbridge at Blacksburg
Rockbridge is 0-3 after a 55-8 loss to Alleghany. So far, this season, they have been outscored 152-22 with losses to Staunton and Parry McCluer.
Prediction: Blacksburg 30, Rockbridge 12.
Galax at Radford
Radford rolled to another win (42-3) on the road at Virginia High. Landon Clark finished 14 of 25 through the air for 196 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 80 yards on eight carries with eight scores.
Max Kanipe was Clark’s favorite target catching seven for 158 yards including a 50-yard touchdown.
The Radford defense held Virginia High to 42 yards of total offense.
Meanwhile, Galax picked up their first win of the season 21-13 over Carroll County. Tadruhn Tucker rushed for 207 yards on 41 carries, including 119 in the first half. QB Tommy Jones was limited in the game but completed five of 10 for 70 yards.
Prediction: Radford 40, Galax 20.
Eastern Montgomery at Auburn
Eastern Montgomery picked up their first win of the season (22-16) on the road at Northwood.
This week, the school renews the “Golden Helmet” competition with cross-county rival Auburn, who was slated to continue a weather-delay contest on Monday night against Craig County.
Prediction: Auburn 20, Eastern Montgomery 18.
