Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
If season ended this week, Blacksburg, Auburn and Radford would be in the postseason. But all of that could change with several of our Week Nine matchups.
Games in Radford, Riner and Christiansburg could affect the homestretch of numbers.
In Region 4D, George Washington leads the points with 27.88 and Jefferson Forest is second at 27.25. Handley and Sherando are third and fourth. Blacksburg is eighth with 21.78 points, holding off ninth place Salem at 21.25.
In 3D, an 8-0 Magna Vista continues to top the points with 25.75. Despite their loss to William Byrd, Lord Botetourt remains second with 23.88 points. Byrd is third at 23.75 points. Carroll County seems to have locked down the fourth spot with Northside in fifth. Bassett is sixth, Abingdon seventh and Staunton River eighth. Cave Spring is the number nine with 18.11 points, while Christiansburg is tenth at 16.62.
Glenvar is undefeated but only holding down a narrow lead over Gretna in 2C with 24.89 to 24.12. Floyd is third and Radford fifth.
Over in Region 1C, Craig is first and George Wythe second. Giles is third, Grayson fourth and Narrows fifth. Auburn falls in at eighth.
Area Top Five: 1) Glenvar, 2) Giles, 3) Floyd, 4) Carroll County, 5) Radford.
Player of week: Luke Mann rushed for 176 yards and scored touchdowns in Blacksburg’s win over Christiansburg, their first since 2018.
This week’s schedule:
Cave Spring (3-6) at Christiansburg (2-6)
Cave shutout Hidden Valley 36-0 this past week. Jaden Hollins threw for 26 yards and one touchdown. Eric Abdelrahman was his top target, picking up 26 receiving yards and one score. On the ground, Madden Babich rushed for 56 yards and one TD on only five carries.
Blacksburg knocked off Christiansburg in the Battle of the Burgs.
While Christiansburg took the loss, QB Jeremiah Barnes was 19 of 33 for 205 yards with two touchdowns. There was no rushing game for Christiansburg as they only had 59 yards on the ground. Sean McMurray had only 24 yards on eight carries. Colt Howell had five catches for 84 yards and Isaiah Cotto caught three for 38 yards.
Prediction: Christiansburg 28, Cave Spring 27.
Radford (4-4) at Floyd (7-1)
Radford fell 49 to 34 in a shootout with Carroll County. Peyton Dobbins threw for two touchdowns and 292 yards in the loss.
The question is if Floyd will be looking past this game and thinking about next week’s matchup with Glenvar. A win would be very important for Radford when it comes to points as they are fifth in 2C and Floyd third.
Floyd used a late touchdown to beat James River 28-21 last week. Sam Phillips was six of 12 for 142 yards, along with 12 carries for 78 yards. He threw for two scores and ran for another two. Gabe Hullett had five receptions for 122 yards.
Floyd has won five games this season by two possessions or less.
Prediction: Radford 32, Floyd 30.
Grayson County (4-4) at Auburn (4-4)
Grayson managed to hold off Giles 14-6 this past week as Dazion Thompson scored twice and finished with 115 yards on 28 carries. Maverick Good had two interceptions.
This game is another one, which has importance in the region point standings. Grayson is fourth and Auburn eighth.
Auburn has been outscored 289 to 269 this season.
Prediction: Auburn 38, Grayson 24.
