Marty Gordon
Radford High School avoided starting the season winless after taking last year’s state title with a 35-35 double overtime win this past week over Giles.
Radford stopped a two-point conversion in the second extra to preserve the win.
Christiansburg ran into a buzz saw in the form of Abingdon, falling 31-28 for their first loss of the season.
Eastern Montgomery remained winless on their side of the county in a 41-0 shutout against Rural Retreat, and Blacksburg was blown out in a 62-3 contest against Lord Botetourt.
This week:
Christiansburg (1-1) at William Byrd (2-0)
Byrd is coming off a 61-0 romp over Hidden Valley. James Toler rushed eight times for 131 yards with four scores. Cannin Lutz also threw two touchdowns.
Floyd (1-1) at Blacksburg (1-1)
Floyd quarterback Sam Phillips rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another. He finished with 128 yards on 10 carries and was seven of 13 threw the air for 173 yards.
Radford (1-1) at Virginia High
A familiar program comes to Radford in Week three. Radford Coach Michael Crist had been at Virginia High before coming to the New River Valley.
This past week, Virginia High beat John Battle 35-7 to be 2-0 on the early part of the season.
Radford QB Luke Gaither threw for five touchdowns in the 2OT win over Giles. Gaither finished 22-of-35 for 246 yards. Kemoni Kimbrough was his favorite target with two scores and 115 total yards. J.D. Grubb rushed for 81 yards on 19 carries. Pace Prioleau had 19 tackles in the win.
Northwood (0-2) at Eastern Montgomery (0-2)
Rye Cove is having the similar downs like Eastern Montgomery, falling 62-0 this past week to Rye Cove to be 0-2 on the season. This came on the heels of a 48-8 loss in the team’s opener against Patrick Henry.
First Area Top 5 poll:
1) Glenvar (2-0)
2) William Byrd (2-0)
3) Salem (1-1)
4) Christiansburg (1-1)
5) Radford (1-1)
Who to watch: Floyd County.
Predictions for this week:
William Byrd 40, Christiansburg 17
Radford 32, Virginia High 31
Floyd 30, Blacksburg 28
Eastern Montgomery 20, Northwood 17
