Blacksburg and Christiansburg renew a rivalry this Friday night that dates to 1914. Blacksburg currently holds the advantage with 58 wins to Christiansburg’s 41 wins. Christiansburg had won five straight before Blacksburg picked up last year’s 42-13 win.
Recently, the “Battle of the Burgs” has lacked luster compared to the early years when there were seven ties, a 1-0 win in 1925 and 2-0 in 1941 wins for Christiansburg.
Blacksburg comes into the game with QB Sam Szefc putting together an outstanding season after suffering an injury early last year in week three that brought his 2025 season to a halt.
Now back on track, Szefc has left no doubt he is one of the best signal callers not only in southwest Virginia but the state. The Virginia Tech baseball recruit has recorded two games this season of 100-plus yards rushing.
Player of the week
For the second week in a row, Blacksburg’s Sam Szefc is the player of the week. He collected 298 yards of offense and five touchdowns to lead the Bruins past Pulaski County. The senior QB ran for 173 yards on 11 carries and completed six of nine passes for 123 yards. He was a part of five touchdowns in the game. Area Top Five: 1) William Byrd, 2) Salem, 3) Carroll County, 4) Radford, 5) Blacksburg.
Updated regional points standings
Craig County now leads Region 1C with 21 points. Grayson is second at 20.57, Parry McCluer third 17.62. Auburn is fourth with 16 points, followed by Bath, George Wythe and Narrows. Eastern Montgomery is currently eighth with 11.5 points, but Giles is sliding in at ninth 11.43 points.
With Floyd’s loss to Carroll County, it has fallen to second in 2C. Radford leads the pack with 21.86 points with Floyd’s 21.24. Martinsville is third at 19.43, Glenvar fourth at 19.25, James River fifth, Gretna sixth, Appomattox seventh and Patrick County eighth.
Over in 3D, William Byrd continues in top spot with 27.14 points, but Magna Vista did close the gap and has 26.86 points. Carroll County is third with 26 points. Lord Botetourt is fourth, Bassett fifth, Northside sixth and Tunstall at seventh and Cave Spring eighth. Christiansburg is currently ninth.
In 4D, Sherando is in first at 29.71 points. Jefferson Forest second, George Washington third, Woodgrove fourth. Salem is fifth just a fraction back of fourth with 25.86 points. Handley is sixth with 23 points and Blacksburg seventh at 21.25 points and Millbrook is eighth.
Games this week
Blacksburg (5-3) at Christiansburg (3-4)
Blacksburg has given up 296 points this season including losing to Floyd 42-0 and Salem 49-13. QB Szefc and running back Luke Mann bring a two-headed monster into this matchup. The two have combined for nearly 1,000 yards rushing this season.
Szefc has tallied three touchdowns this season through the air and another eight on the ground.
Christiansburg is looking to even its record and slip into the Region 3D top eight in points. Trent Byrd rushed for 155 yards last week and now has 655 on the season.
Prediction: Blacksburg 32, Christiansburg 21.
Narrows (2-5) at Eastern Montgomery (2-5)
Narrows is coming off a 42-7 loss to Honaker. The team’s biggest win came earlier this season in a 31-13 win over Giles.
Eastern Montgomery fell 14-8 to Bath County.
Prediction: Narrows 34, Eastern Montgomery 7.
Radford (6-1) at Carroll County (7-0)
Radford could play spoiler in Carroll’s undefeated season this week when they travel to Hillsville. This past week, Colton Garner-Rollins and Pace Prioleau each ran for 106 yards. Garner-Rollins scored twice and Prioleau added a touchdown.
Defense could be a key in this game as Radford has outscored its opponents this season 291 to 103, while Carroll has a large margin, scoring 305 points and only allowing opponents to score at a 70-point total clip.
Carroll rolled to a 48-29 win last week over Floyd. Ayden Dickerson ran for 110 yards on 16 carries and scored twice. Colton Gravley added three touchdowns with 118 yards on 12 carries. Hunter Gravley added 158 yards on the ground with a score as the team tallied 400 yards rushing.
Prediction: Carroll County 32, Radford 30.
