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Stonewall Jackson (1-2) at Parry McCluer (2-1) WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Bobby Williams Field in Buena Vista LAST YEAR: The Blues cruised to a 45-16 road win over the Generals at Mountain View High School, which has since changed its name back to Stonewall Jackson, in Quicksburg. Running back JJ Jones, then a senior, scored two touchdowns to lead the Blues, who racked up 402 yards of offense while holding the Generals to 120 yards. German Salinas Ortiz scored both TDs for the Generals on passes from quarterback Shreejee Patel.
THE SCOOP: Both teams are coming off wins last Friday, with the Blues cruising to a 34-7 victory over James River and Stonewall Jackson beating Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology 2720. The Blues got an impressive performance from quarterback Nathan Glass, who completed 5-of-5 passes for 75 yards and two TDs and ran for another score. PM also had two big defensive plays, with Javion Dunn scoring on a 35-yard interception return and Jase Barger running the ball back 84 yards after making a fumble recovery. With that combination and Jackson Brockenbrough rushing for 83 yards, the Blues made their home opener a fun one. In Stonewall Jackson’s win, Caleb Eaton rushed for 71 yards and a TD, while Naimen Garrett ran for 68 rushing yards. Patel threw a 37-yard TD pass to K.O. Franklin.
THENEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: The Blues should not overlook Stonewall Jackson, which battled Nelson County two weeks ago before falling 41-40. This game provides a great opportunity for the Blues to build on the momentum of last week’s big win before their upcoming bye week. We see the Generals giving the Blues an early test, but we predict the Blues will earn a 46-21 win.
Blacksburg (1-2) at Rockbridge County (0-3) WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Prasnicki-Ross Field at Veterans Stadium in Lexington. Tickets are $7.
LAST YEAR: Showing progress after suffering three blowout losses to start the season, RC lost 38-20 at Blacksburg. The Wildcats scored all of their points in the fourth quarter, after Blacksburg scored all of its points in the first half. Quarterback Ethan Karpa threw three touchdown passes for the Bruins. For RC, quarterback Jayden Layman passed for 80 yards and a TD.
THE SCOOP: The Wildcats have not tasted victory since November 2022, but they have a very real chance this Friday to snap a 14-game losing streak. Blacksburg defeated Giles 32-12 in its season opener, but the Bruins then lost their next two games. In a 34-14 setback against Floyd County last Friday, Blacksburg quarterback Sam Szefc passed for 155 yards and two TDs, while Jaxon Keys rushed for 73 yards.
Some RC fans may feel they haven’t seen progress this season, but the Wildcats have been making adjustments and got a solid outing from sophomore quarterback Elijah Watkins in his first start in a 63-14 loss at Alleghany last Friday, while Layman switched to running and receiving. Watkins ran for a TD and passed for 38 yards without an interception. The Wildcats also had some success running the ball, with Marshall Earhart rushing for 82 yards and Pat Looney carrying the ball for 71 yards and a TD.
THENEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK : If the Wildcats can pick up their offense and step up defensively, they have a great chance to get in the win column. Playing at home will help, and with former legends Chase Prasnicki and Pat Bannon being recognized as RC Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, they’ll have extra motivation. We see the Wildcats pulling out a 28-24 win.
