Northwood at Galax

Last meeting: Northwood 42, Galax 38 (Aug. 28, 2009 in Saltville, Va.)

Northwood earned a wild win over Galax last season, building a 21-0 lead and then holding on. It turned out to be the Panthers’ only win of the season

. … Northwood has scratched the single-wing offense for the Power-I and have looked good with the new look in the preseason. Freshman quarterback Jason Prater appears to have a firm grasp of the offense. … Northwood will have to improve on defense, which plagued the Panthers all of last season. It will get a tough test early as Galax – led by senior Jared Brown – has plenty of offensive firepower.

Prediction: Galax 24, Northwood 18

St. Paul at Holston

Last meeting: Holston 39, St. Paul 12 (Aug. 28, 2009 in St. Paul, Va.)

Holston has opened the last five seasons with victories over St. Paul. … Both teams’ top returning rushers will miss tonight’s game with injuries – St. Paul’s Denver Fritz (knee) and Holston’s Cody Blevins (collar bone). … Both teams competed in last week’s jamboree in St. Paul. SP posted wins over Appalachian and St. Paul, while Holston beat Twin Valley and lost to Ervinton. … St. Paul’s slight edge in varsity experience should make the difference.

Prediction: St. Paul 18, Holston 16

Fort Chiswell at Rural Retreat

Last meeting: Fort Chiswell 38, Rural Retreat 7 (Aug. 28, 2009 in Max Meadows, Va.)

This Wythe County rivalry game will mark the head coaching debut of Rural Retreat’s Christopher Moore. Moore took over the program after serving as a long-time assistant. … Rural Retreat appeared lackluster at times last week in a 27-26 victory over Bland in a VHSL Benefit Game. … Fort Chiswell is coming off the best season in school history under the direction of head coach Stephen James, a former assistant at Marion. The Pioneers lost several standouts to graduation, but will still be a Region C, Division 2 playoff contender.

Prediction: Fort Chiswell 22, Rural Retreat 20

Bland County at Patrick Henry

Last meeting: Patrick Henry 28, Bland 8 (Aug. 28, 2009 in Bland, Va.)

Patrick Henry’s Mike Compton is 2-0 as a head coach in openers. His team blasted Pound in 2007 and beat the Bears last fall in Week 1. … Patrick Henry quarterback Jonathan Whitesides is a talented signal caller. He threw for 129 yards and two TDs in the win over Bland last season. ... The Rebels must improve a lot on the line as the front failed to give their QB adequate protection at times last fall. … Bland, which is coached by former Tazewell boss Harris Hart, returns all 11 starters on defense.

Prediction: Patrick Henry 14, Bland 8

Tazewell at George Wythe

Last meeting: Tazewell 29, George Wythe 17 (Aug. 28, 2009 in Tazewell, Va.)

These teams will open the season against each other for the sixth straight season. … Tazewell has won two straight over the Maroons and three of the last four. … Terry Smith will make his debut as Tazewell’s coach. He served as an assistant at Lebanon last fall and was previously the head coach at Virginia High. … Sophomore Alex Willis won the preseason battle to be George Wythe’s starting quarterback and looked good last week during a jamboree in Bristol.

Prediction: George Wythe 28, Tazewell 7

Chilhowie at Marion

Last meeting: Marion 10, Chilhowie 7 (Aug. 28, 2009 in Chilhowie, Va.)

Marion rushed for 221 yards en route to the victory over Chilhowie last year, while Ben Ampudia provided the crucial field goal in the final quarter. … Brett Johnson, who rushed for 78 yards in that game for Marion, is now playing for Chilhowie. …The Warriors are favored to win the Hogoheegee District, while Marion returns just seven starters. …. The matchup between Johnson and Marion senior lineman Jacob Wolford should be interesting. … Emotions always run high in this SmythCounty showdown.

Prediction: Chilhowie 14, Marion 7