Garth here.  Bringing the kids the truth in pregame prognostications since 2009. 

So you probably read Captain Gridiron's attempt at fictional character humor.  He even tried to drag me into it!  He's apparently trying very hard to get the punchlines out there, which I can respect.  He does have a good mind for football, I mean its no "Jedi Mind" but, hey, we can't all be me.  So, we get it, he's a super hero, he flies around watches football games, and he loves the third person perspective.  What he doesn't know is that I'm not even trying to be funny.  I really am a Star Wars nerd named Garth - seriously.  I also love football.  And girls hate everything about me.

Here we go!

Grayson County at Chilhowie

One thing is for certain, if blue devils actually existed it would be really weird.  Can you imagine?  A BLUE devil.  Why is he blue?  Why is that your school's mascot?  Were their fossils from blue devils found there in the 1920's?  So many questions yet no answers.  Speaking of football, Chilhowie's backfield tandem did not dominate against Marion last week but they did get the job done.  The defense, led by Daniel Ashby, also put in some blue collar work to keep the Candy Canes out of the endzone.  This week should be a lot of the same.  While Grayson did beat up on a football team from North Carolina (I didn't know football teams in NC existed either), Chilhowie is actually pretty decent.  At least I think so, for now.

Chilhowie 28, Grayson County 13

Marion at Northwood

The Panthers were riding high on their preseason success horse before Galax nailed them off of it by the whistling tune of 45-0.  Rumor has it that Galax might actually be good this year, which in hindsight, is good news for the Panthers; because if they're not, uh oh.  So let's pretend that Galax and Marion are about the same this year, in which case Marion will obviously win.  I expect Northwood to score this week though; but it will be against Marion's JV. 

Marion 45, Northwood 6

Patrick Henry at Abingdon

These two teams are softer than a Charmin Ultra valu-pak, but that doesn't make them hate each other any less.  Patrick Henry got mauled by Bears last week while Abingdon's team was getting pedicures.  I fully expect Abingdon to win this one.  If PH gets blown out, the morale is gone, and the season is a wash.  If they can keep it close, who knows.  The Rebels do have a young weapon, #4 Merrick Mullins.  He's quick, he can catch, and he'll probably be partly responsible, along with Mr. Whitesides, for both Rebel scores.

Abingdon 26, Patrick Henry 13

Rural Retreat at Floyd County

I either expected Rural Retreat to be better or I expected Fort Chiswell to be worse.  Either way, I read my force wrong.  Floyd County was unsurprisingly blitzed by a strong, fast Christiansburg team.  Playing a team like Christiansburg will make this mediocre Rural Retreat team look like "The Little Giants" and that isn't a good thing.  Especially if Rick Moranis is your head coach and your best linebacker is a chic named Icebox.  Rural Retreat plays tough, Floyd County is more tested.

Floyd County 20, Rural Retreat 16

Twin Springs at Holston

Everyone and their brother thought Holston would beat Saint Paul last week.  Afterall, they do return a few key players from the successful teams they've had the last couple of years.  But since Matlock isn't allowed to play quarterback anymore, the Cavaliers really struggled against Saint Paul on offense.   Their offense finally started clicking late in the game but it was too late and the defense has a lot of work to do.  Meanwhile, Twin Springs was doing something not many teams in the state of Virginia have ever done:  getting shut out, blown out, and pommeled by John Battle.  John Battle is on the ups, but they aren't that far up.  I'll give Holston the nod seeing as they fixed their quarterback situation at halftime in the last game and Twin Springs is gawd-awful. 

Holston 19, Twin Springs 7

May the force be with the Hogo.  Most of you will need it.