GAMEDAYNRV POWER POLL: Week 6
Salem's Derrick Hickman has been the fifth quarterback in the last five seasons to help lead the Spartans. Salem knocked off Group AAA power William Fleming to take over the top spot in the GamedayNRV Power Poll.
Photo by David Grimes
Radford's William Saunders has been one of the key players for the Bobcats in 2008. Radford has won nine straight games dating back to last season and they move up another spot, to No. 5, in this week's GamedayNRV Power Poll.
Photo by Jon Fleming.
The season now enters the second half a couple of days later than expected for some teams, thanks to some heavy rains that postponed games until Monday. That is also the one day delay in the poll coming out as two ranked teams played last night. We also have a new number one team that just reminds us not to count them out at all when they look like they can be had. There are some huge games this week within the top 10 while a couple teams take their final off week to prepare for the beginning of district play.
1 - Salem Spartans (4-1)
Last Week: Ranked #3. Win 23-19 @ William Fleming
Next Game: 10/3 vs. Christiansburg (3-1)
The Spartans simply proved the doubters (myself included) wrong last week with a nice four point win over Fleming that simply stated that they are the best prep pigskin team in Southwestern Virginia until someone knocks them off that is from this area. That huge win sets up an off week until River Ridge District play opens in two weeks as the Spartans host Christiansburg in Salem Stadium.
2 - Pulaski County Cougars (4-0)
Last Week: Ranked #2. Off
This Week: @ Lord Botetourt (2-4)
Sorry Cougar fans but you cannot simply take the top spot by default because you are next in line after Fleming lost. That being said the Cougars healed up this week before a trip to Daleville to face a gutsy Lord Botetourt team that pulled off a nice upset win over Blacksburg at home last Friday night. Trap game? Quite possibly, even though the Cougars blasted the Cavs 42-7 in Dublin last year.
3 - William Fleming Colonels (4-1)
Last Week: Ranked #1. Loss 23-19 vs. Salem
Next Game: 10/10 @ Franklin County (1-3)
Make is six straight losses to Salem for the Colonels. Salem seems to have Flemings number this decade as this was a game that the prognosticators picked them to win last week. The Colonels are off this week before facing Franklin County for the second time this season in a curious little schedule quirk to get the Colonels 10 games after their move to the Group AAA ranks this season. This one will count in the Western Valley District standings unlike the Colonels 37-15 clipping of the Eagles back on September 6th. This should set up a WVD showdown for the title the following week at GW Danville.
4 - Floyd County Buffaloes (5-0)
Last Week: Ranked #4. Win 21-14 @ Tunstall
Next Game: 10/10 vs. Glenvar (3-1)
The Buffs just keep on taking care of business, completing a 2-0 swing through the Piedmont District just like last year with a win last night against improved Tunstall. Winfred Beale's troops now get a week off and then open Three Rivers District action in two weeks against Glenvar.
5 - Radford Bobcats (4-0)
Last Week: Ranked #6. Win 41-7 vs. Rural Retreat
This Week: @ Christiansburg (3-1)
Make it nine straight wins for the Bobcats with a blowout over Rural Retreat in Radford last week. Now comes their final non district game and it is a huge rivalry game as Christiansburg welcomes the 'Cats from just up Route 11 for a former New River District war. Radford lost this last year to the Blue Demons 28-12, but the game was much tighter than the score indicated as Christiansburg scored two late touchdowns in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter to win by 16 points. Expect a very close and hard hitting game on Friday.
6 - Christiansburg Blue Demons (3-1)
Last Week: Ranked #7. Win 37-6 vs. Patrick Henry
This Week: vs. Radford (4-0)
Christiansburg picked up an easy win over Group AAA PH for the second straight year. Now comes the game with Radford that quite honestly, Christiansburg needs to win more than Radford if they expect to challenge for a Region IV, Division 4 playoff spot if they fail to win the RRD regular season. The crowd should swell into the thousands for this old time NRV rivalry.
7 - Blacksburg Bruins (3-1)
Last Week: Ranked #5. Loss 20-17 @ Lord Botetourt
This Week: vs. Northside (3-3)
One wonders if the Bruins were not distracted a little by the Trey Gresh incident as they were tripped up on a late field goal down in Daleville on Friday night. Coach Dave Crist now gets his team refocused and ready for another foe from the Blue Ridge District as Northside heads down to the old Bill Brown Stadium this week. Blacksburg led this one in Roanoke last year 30-7 at the half before holding on to beat the Vikings 37-26. Northside is much improved from a year ago and this one should be a tight one game long.
8 - Giles Spartans (2-2)
Last Week: Ranked #9. Off
This Week: @ Lebanon
Giles took a week off after doling out some revenge against George Wythe two Fridays ago. A long trip to far Southwest Virginia awaits as the Spartans head to Lebanon. This one was close last year as Giles led 14-7 at the half before doing their best imitation of the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII with a 35 point third quarter to turn the game into a 49-21 rout over the Pioneers last year in Pearisburg. This one is huge for Giles for some power points and to get their record over .500 before TRD play begins the following week.
9 - Northside Vikings (3-3)
Last Week: NR. Win 22-15 vs. Hidden Valley (Mon.)
This Week: @ Blacksburg (3-1)
Not much was expected from Head Coach Burt Torrance's Vikings this year, but the Vikings are one of the pleasant surprises so far, already surpassing their win total of two from last year. A nice win over Coach Torrance's old coaching mates in South Roanoke County got the Vikings to .500. Now comes a chance to get win four against Blacksburg. Northside nearly pulled off a miracle second half comeback last year, but this one is one the road in Blacksburg and the game will be closer the entire night.
10 - Narrows Green Wave (4-1, 1-0 MED)
Last Week: NR. Win 34-6 vs. Grayson County
This Week: @ Auburn (2-2)
The Green Wave took down 2007 Mountain Empire District champ Grayson County down handily in Narrows last Friday to jump to the top of the standings in the MED so far. Now comes a trip to Auburn to face the Eagles in what can be a winnable game for Narrows. Narrows was blanked 34-0 by Auburn last year, but this year the Green Wave are the hot team and the Eagles are cold, after falling to previously winless Parry McCluer.
Honorable Mention
11 - Cave Spring Knights (2-2) - The Knights hold onto their spot here during their off week. Now they face a freefalling William Byrd team that is desperately looking for a W.
12 - Lord Botetourt Cavaliers (2-4) - For all the injury hardships the Cavs have went through, they showed that talent is in Daleville with the upset over Blacksburg last week. Can Head Coach Tater Benson make it two straight home upsets with Pulaski Co. coming to town?
13 - Glenvar Highlanders (3-1) - The Highlanders reverted to pretender status in the Three Rivers District by laying a 21-7 egg against a weak James River team. Glenvar should bounce back big as winless Craig County becomes the fourth of five Pioneer District teams to play the Highlanders in 2008.
14 - William Byrd (2-3) - Someone please throw these dogs a bone. After playing two of the toughest teams in Group AA tough, the Terriers made it three straight losses by inexplicably falling to a one win Carroll County team. Now this week's game with Cave Spring becomes a must win before Blue Ridge District play begins in two weeks.
15 -- Eastern Montgomery Mustangs (2-2) - The Mustangs were off last week as they hope to avoid Auburn's fate in Buena Vista this Friday against Parry McCluer. This one is a must win of the Mustangs want a chance at a Region C, Division 1 at large berth.
