Prediction

Rockbridge County (0-0) at Parry McCluer (0-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Bobby Williams Field in Buena Vista. Tickets are $7.

LAST YEAR: The Wildcats prevailed with a 32-29 win in a back-and-forth battle over PM in the season opener in Lexington. Running back Daronde’ Stores scored both of RC’s touchdowns in the first half, and PM quarterback Brenan Schley threw a 15-yard TD pass to Jase Barger, briefly giving the Blues the lead in the second quarter. The Wildcats led 14-6 at halftime before Evan Cook scored on a 36yard fumble recovery, but the Wildcats scored the next two TDs, one on a 14yard pass from quarterback Garrett Claytor to Joshua Wright and the other on a 3-yard run by Stores, to extend their lead to 25-14 by the end of the third quarter. The Blues rallied with two TDs in the fourth quarter, one on a 17-yard pass from Schley to Bryton Tolley and the other on a 4-yard run by John Snider, to take a 29-25 lead. The Wildcats scored the winning TD on the next possession when Claytor threw a 23-yard pass to Isaiah Williams. With the victory – their fifth consecutive over PM – the Wildcats improved to 12-8 in the all-time series against the Blues.

SCOUTING THE BLUES: The Blues, who went 4-7 last year and fell in the Region 1C quarterfinals, are hoping to head in a new direction under first-year head coach Jeremiah Brockenbrough. They graduated two key cogs in their offense in Snider and Schley, but Brockenbourgh is hoping sophomore Nathan Glass can successfully begin the next chapter as PM’s starting quarterback. The Blues have 10 returning players and should have a strong running game, with Jackson Brockenbourgh and Parker Camden leading the way, and their defense should give the Wildcats trouble.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: Like the Blues, the Wildcats have a lot of new faces, but second- year head coach Martin Cox is optimistic they’ll improve on last year’s 4-6 record. The Wildcats’ 11 returning players will hope to lead the younger players along, but they’ll have a lot of work to do. Look for the Wildcats’ offensive line to help junior quarterback Jayden Layman find his receivers and to give running backs room to maneuver, but the inexperience of the team will show. The Wildcats’ defense will have a tall task in stopping the Blues on their home field.

THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: We fully expect a close game again, with a large and boisterous crowd watching. Both teams will be looking to set the tone for the season. With PM’s leaders feeling inspiration to step up in front of their home fans, we see the Blues pulling out a 36-31 win.