Bland Co at Patrick Henry

 The Rebels loaded up there schedule with D1 schools last year in hopes of being competitive again…. but it didn't work. They still only won two games and didn't look competitive at all. Not much talk going on about the Rebels this year. QB Whitesides returns with lots of experience but most expect another mediocre year. The interest in football seems to be dwindling down in ol Glade/Emory way. Bland is probably in line for a so-so year themselves so these two are probably pretty evenly matched. This could be an entertaining matchup. I'll go with the homestanding and fellow Hogo team in this one.

 Patrick Henry 26 Bland 20

 Chilhowie at Marion

 This Smyth County rivalry always is intriguing and stirs up a lot of emotion between these two and this year is even more heated as former Marion star RB Brett Johnson has transferred to Chilhowie. To go along with that, the Warriors return stud RB Aaron Conley and other playmakers. Plain and simple Johnson and Conley are showstopping playmakers and probably the best RB tandem in this area. If you haven't seen them play....trust me you'll want to. As good as those two are it is all going to depend on the rest of the team's development as to how far the Warriors can go this year. If the line can block for them, the defense can tackle and they can create a consistent passing game.....then WATTTCH OUT. Marion blanked PH last week creating some optimism for the Canes in a year when many predicted a rebuilding project……but I have a feeling that Coach Briscoe will have them more than competitive this year. Marion is big and strong and will create problems for other teams. This matchup always seems to be close and I don’t see this game being any different. You could almost flip a coin to determine the winner, but I’m going to go with the Warriors and say their speed will be the difference and make just enough plays to get the job done.

 Chilhowie 24 Marion 21

 Fort Chiswell at Rural Retreat

 This is another very good opening week matchup between Wythe County rivals. The Indians have dominated this series but the last two years these schools have gone in opposite directions. The Fort has won the last two meetings, culminating in last years dream season that saw the Pioneers go 9-1 in the regular season and make it to the Region C title game after years of futility. After being a Region C power for the better part of the last 2 decades RR is coming off back to back losing seasons….something the folks are not used to at all. There is a lot of optimism for the Indians though as they return a lot of players, such as QB Zayne Williams and WR Travis Foster, from a team made some noise at the end of last year and showed a lot of promise. Depending on who you ask the Fort is either rebuilding or reloading this year. They lost a great senior class that included star RB Chris Rodriguez and do it all headhunter Hody Viars. It will be interesting to see what the Fort looks like this year. They still might have enough to win the MED…but I’m going to go with the Indians in this one though. I really think they are going to have a pretty good team this year and might contend with the top 2 in the Hogo.

 Rural Retreat 27 Fort Chiswell 14

 Northwood at Galax

 This was probably one of the biggest opening week upsets in the area last year as Northwood knocked off a very hyped Galax team at home. Problem is after this game both teams basically sucked. The Panthers finished at the bottom of the Hogoheegee again and Galax struggled with injuries and had a very disappointing year. Galax has a new coach this year and look to have a team that could contend in the MED…..but it seems like we hear that every year. The Saltvillians have shown some promise in early season scrimmages and from all indications have went back to a traditional I-formation offense. Galax just has too much talent in this one but the Panthers could make it a game and maybe they can surprise some teams this year. I’ll take the Maroon Tide at home and the points.

 Galax 33 Northwood 21

 St. Paul at Holston

 The Cavaliers are coming off back to back Region C D1 titles and things are a mystery in D-Town going into the year. They are young at many positions and have struggled in early season scrimmages. I would figure Coach Matlock would get his boys to playing some better ball by the time district time rolls around. Not much on my part about St. Paul but I’ll take Holston to have enough at home against their first Cumberland District foe

 Holston 21 St. Paul 13

 Tazewell at George Wythe

 The Bulldogs lost to Chilhowie last week in a benefit game. You would figure GW is at least as good if not better than the Warriors. The Maroons lost Division 1 recruits in Brandon Atwell and Drew Lester from last years team….most would panic but us in the Hogo know that GW doesn’t rebuild they reload. This years team looks to be very speedy as usually the norm for the Maroons and it will be interesting to see who steps up to be playmakers and if they can get consistent line play. I believe the speed of the Maroons will win out against the size of Tazewell. The Hogoheegee District champs until further notice will take an opening week victory in this one.

 George Wythe 28 Tazewell 14