Prediction

Narrows (2-2) at Parry McCluer (4-1) WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Bobby Williams Field in Buena Vista. Tickets are $7.

LAST YEAR: The Fighting Blues suffered a 56-21 road loss to Narrows in a rainy Pioneer District opener. PM led 14-13 at halftime, but the Green Wave outscored the Blues 37-0 in the third quarter. Narrows running back Cooper Helvey rushed for four touchdowns. The Blues scored two TDs in the second quarter, on a 1-yard run by quarterback Nathan Glass and on a 6-yard pass from Glass to Parker Camden. PM’s other TD came in the fourth quarter on a 31-yard run by JJ Jones. Narrows would go 4-0 to win the district title, while PM would go 2-2 in the district.

THE SCOOP: This showdown will be PM’s homecoming game, and the Blues are riding a three-game winning streak. The Blues would love to pick up another win in front of their home fans before playing their next three games on the road. It will be a tall task to beat the Green Wave. Narrows is coming off a 34-6 loss to James Monroe in West Virginia. Before that, though, the Green Wave earned a pair of wins, 28-14 over Chilhowie and 21-20 over Giles.

It will be tough for the Blues to stop Helvey, who is now a junior, but PM’s defense has stepped up recently, allowing just 21 points in the last three games. Another key will be for the Blues to continue to execute offensively, with Glass passing well and Jackson Brockenbrough leading the running backs.

THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: We look for a close battle between these two Pioneer District title contenders. Narrows will challenge PM, but the Blues will carry the momentum of their winning streak and outlast the Green Wave to earn a 30-22 win.