Week two of high school football is in the books and both Radford and Blacksburg remain unbeaten.
Blacksburg had a close one, 16-14 this past week over James River as Ethan Lowdermilk kicked a 28-yard field goal with 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter for the win.
Radford will have an open date this week after rolling 48-0 over Giles this past Friday night. Trenton Carter put on a show with a 68-yard receiving touchdown, a 60-yard rushing touchdown and a 54-yard punt return for another.
Peyton Dobbins completed eight of 12 passes in the win. William Dehart-Lewis also scored twice on the ground for the Bobcats.
Flag football continues to grow
, according to the latest data from the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS).
Girls flag football participation increased by 49%, with the number of girls playing flag football rising from 68,847 to 102,360 for the 2025-26 school year.
The NFHS reported that nearly 4,000 schools offered flag football last year, increasing nearly 46% from the previous school year.
So far, no school in southwest Virginia has announced intentions to start a program.
Coaching openings
The Montgomery County school system still has several coaching openings. Blacksburg High School is seeking a boys and girls track coach, while the school also needs a girls soccer coach.
Over at Christiansburg, the school is seeking a boys and girls tennis coach and a boys lacrosse coach. Eastern Montgomery also needs someone to coach track.
Player of the week is Radford’s Trenton Carter as he found paydirt three different ways this past Friday night.
Area top five: 1) Salem, 2) Carroll County, 3) Radford, 4) Rural Retreat, 5) Northside. Ones to watch: Craig County and Patrick Henry (Roanoke).
This week’s games:
Christiansburg (1-1) at William Byrd (2-0)
Christiansburg put together two good quarters of offense to hold off Abingdon 37-34. Trent Byrd rushed 34 times for 235 yards with a score, while Macie Theory returned a kickoff early in the fourth quarter 91 yards for a score.
Byrd rolled in a 46-6 win over Hidden Valley as Gray Matthews ran for 212 yards on just six carries with four touchdowns. Carter Gray completed six of eight passes for 205 yards with Zane Taylor catching two passes for 112 yards.
Prediction: Christiansburg 30, William Byrd 28.
Floyd (1-0) at Blacksburg (2-0)
Floyd had an open date and sat back, watching Blacksburg take a 16-14 win over James River.
Keefer Caldwell had five receptions for Blacksburg with 125 yards and a touchdown. QB Sam Szefc finished the night seven of 11 for 141 yards.
Prediction: Blacksburg 30, Floyd 24.
Eastern Montgomery (0-2) at Northwood (1-0)
Eastern Montgomery is still trying to figure out how to hold leads. In last week’s game, Eastern Montgomery jumped out to an early lead but was then blown out 51-20 by Rural Retreat.
Northwood had the week off after a 26-0 win over Twin Springs.
Prediction: Northwood 28, Eastern Montgomery 20.
Ft. Chiswell (0-2) at Auburn (1-1)
Ft. Chiswell continues to find the need for depth, following a 63-7 loss to George Wythe. The Fort was held to 48 yards of total offense.
Meanwhile, Auburn picked up win No. 1 with a 42-6 win at Smith Mountain Christian Academy. Cam Branch completed 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards, and Ethan Brunk ran for 106 yards.
Prediction: Auburn 32, Ft. Chiswell 20.
