Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The Virginia High School League is expected to release its first points standings later this week, and Radford and Auburn should be high in the rankings as they both picked up wins this past Friday night.
Former Blacksburg running back Jaxon Keys scored three times this past weekend in his North Cross debut.
Area Top Five: 1) Glenvar, 2) William Byrd, 3) Radford, 4) Giles, 5) Floyd.
Co-players of week: There were two outstanding performances this past week. Luke Mann came close to leading Blacksburg to an upset of Salem, rushing for 161 yards on 26 carries.
Radford’s Pace Prioleau had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown and caught six passes for 56 yards.
This week’s games:
Pulaski (2-2) at Christiansburg (0-4)
Pulaski pulled a 26-13 win this past week over Cave Spring, overcoming a 10-point first-half deficit.
Prediction: Christiansburg 24, Pulaski 20
Bland (1-5) at Eastern Montgomery (0-5)
Bland is coming off a 40-0 loss to Eastside. The game was called because of injuries at halftime.
Eastern Montgomery took it on the chin in a 41-20 loss to Auburn.
Prediction: Eastern Montgomery 32, Bland 0.
Auburn (4-1) at Giles (4-1)
Auburn is a surprising 4-1 after a big win over all-county rival Eastern Montgomery this past Friday night.
Giles picked off Tazewell 43-13 as they scored 30 points in the third quarter to pull away. Anthony Wilcoxson scored three times and had 98 yards on 14 carries. Jalen Miller rushed for 137 yards on 16 carries.
Prediction: Auburn 24, Giles 20.
Blacksburg (2-2) at Cave Spring (1-4)
Blacksburg had Salem on the ropes but gave up a late fourth quarter leader in a 8-16 loss. QB Sam Szefc rushed for a score with 36 yards on the ground and seven of 13 through the air for 71 yards.
Cave fell 26-13 to Pulaski. Madden Babich scored for Cave and Nicco Giovanni kicked two field goals.
Prediction: Blacksburg 28, Cave Spring 27.
Radford (3-1) at William Byrd (4-1)
Radford used two reserve signal callers in a win over James River. Brady Sutherland was six of 15 for 127 yards with two touchdowns, while Tucker Williams was six of 15 for 69 yards with a touchdown.
Prediction: William Byrd 30, Radford 21.
