Marty Gordon
A Christiansburg win over Pulaski should boost the Blue Demons point total when the Virginia High School League (VHSL) releases its points standings next week, but the unofficial numbers show them sitting outside the Top Eight.
This would mean Christiansburg could miss the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Currently, the unofficial numbers show two teams at the top of the Region 3D points that have beaten the Blue Demons. Abingdon remains in the top spot, while William Byrd is second. Lord Botetourt is third with Magna Vista rounding out the Top Four.
The next four are Staunton River, Northside, Carroll County and Bassett, all teams that keep on winning.
Christiansburg needs someone in 5-8 spots to pick up some losses.
Tropical Storm Helena played havoc on last week’s schedule, pushing games to Saturday and even Monday night. Blacksburg was slated to play Cave Spring on Monday night.
This week’s player of the week: Christiansburg’s Xavier Joplin has back-to-back 100-yard games and against Pulaski, he rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
Area Top Five: Glenvar, 2) William Byrd, 3) Salem, 4) Radford, 5) Floyd.
This week’s games:
Riverheads (4-1) at Christiansburg (3-2)
This game could be a thriller after last year’s Riverheads come from behind win. A late second field goal prevented the perennial state power from falling to the visiting Blue Demons. They would later lose to Radford in the state championship game in Salem.
In last year’s game versus Christiansburg, Riverheads kicked a 27-yard field goal with no time on the clock to pull out a 24-21 victory over Christiansburg. Zac Burton nailed the kick straight between the posts as Riverheads rallied from 21-7 halftime deficit, scoring on a 11-yard run by Cade Cook-Cash and a 5-yard run by QB Ethan Mulcahy. Both of those players are now gone. The Riverheads defense held Christiansburg to 36 yards through the air and 44 yards on the ground in the second half. The defending Class 2 state champion, Riverheads, rushed for 264 yards with none through the air.
Riverheads would finish the season 13-1 with the loss to Radford in the title tilt.
The numbers show the Riverheads’ success: District Champions in 1975, 1976, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022; Region B Runner-up in 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011; Region Champions in 2000, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022; State Runner-Ups in 2015 and State Champions in 2000, 2006, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
But this year, Riverheads has its share of close games this season including last week’s 14-13 win over Wilson Memorial. Their other wins have come over Central Woodstock (10-3), Tazewell (52-21) and Rocktown (48-6). Their lone loss was 35-21 to Ft. Defiance.
Riverheads has outscored its opponents by a 145 to 78 margin this season.
Riverheads lost 10 seniors from last year’s team but returning is quarterback Levi Dunlap and running back Jonathan Talbott. Talbott saw significant snaps in the backfield last season.
Last week, Christiansburg punched a winless Pulaski team last week and pulled out a 26-6 win. The Blue Demons controlled possession for over 80 percent of the game and rushed for 279 yards to Pulaski’s 53 yards.
Xavier Joplin rushed 13 times for 126 yards with two touchdowns. Matt Annis returned from an injury for 80 yards on 12 carries.
This could be a much closer game than anyone expects just because Riverheads is not as strong as they have been in the past five years. Meanwhile, it should be a real test for Christiansburg as they need this week against a formidable opponent like Riverheads.
Expect this one to go to the wire with a win in doubt down the stretch for both teams.
Eastern Montgomery (0-4) at Giles (0-3)
Eastern Montgomery simply has not found any offense this season, being outscored by a 159 to 26 margin. Losses have come to Ft. Chiswell, Holston, Northwood and Rural Retreat.
Giles was slated to play Grayson County on Monday night. Their losses this season have come to Narrows 21-20 in overtime, 25-34 to Radford in double overtime and Blacksburg by a 32-12 score.
Glenvar (4-0) at Radford (3-2)
This game has continued to be a dandy on both team’s schedule year-in and year-out. This year should be no exception as Glenvar has become the hunted, and Radford trying to regroup after winning last year’s Class 1 state title.
In 2023, Radford took a 36-3 regular season win in the regular season and 29-24 in the regional playoffs. Radford leads the series 16 to 13. This season, Glenvar has outscored its opponents by a 187 to eight margin.
Predictions:
Radford 32, Glenvar 27
Giles 32, Eastern Montgomery 14
Christiansburg 32, Riverheads 30
Blacksburg has an off week before hosting Christiansburg in its homecoming game.
