Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Auburn High School is hoping to complete its first full season in four years as high school football moves into its fourth week. Friday, the Eagles took a big step with a 29-13 win over Ft. Chiswell and now have a 2-1 record.
Meanwhile, Blacksburg, Eastern Montgomery and Blacksburg took it on the chin. Radford had a bye week.
One of the biggest losses was off the field as all-county/all-city preseason offensive player of the year Jaxon Keys has transferred from Blacksburg to North Cross. The junior running back had hinted about the move this summer but played the start of the season with the Bruins.
Player of the week: For the second week in a row, the player of the week lives in Blacksburg. QB Sam Szefc rushed for 142 yards in the loss to Floyd. His romp came on just 10 carries and included a 50-yard score.
Area Top Five: 1) Glenvar, 2) William Byrd, 3) Lord Botetourt, 4) Northside and 5) Giles.
Games this week:
Christiansburg (0-3) at Lord Botetourt (3-0)
Christiansburg gave up over 350 yards of total offense to William Byrd in last week’s loss and will now face another potent Region D running attack in the Botetourt, who this season have outscored their opponents by a 126 to 47 margin.
The two schools last played in 2022 when Christiansburg took a 34-7 win.
Botetourt downed Altavista 49-21 this past week.
Prediction: Lord Botetourt 48, Christiansburg 10.
Radford (1-1) at Galax (0-3)
Radford is coming off a loss to Giles in its last contest.
Galax continues to fight low roster numbers and took a 71-0 loss this past week to Carroll County. Galax last lost 10 straight games.
Prediction: Radford 50, Galax 7.
Castlewood (0-2) at Auburn (2-1)
Castlewood has taken its lumps this season and will try to rebound in a trip to Riner.
Prediction: Castlewood 34, Auburn 7.
Eastern Montgomery (0-3) at Montcalm (1-1)
Eastern Montgomery continues to move backwards on the season after a 32-22 loss to Northwood.
Montcalm’s only loss came in Week 1 48-0 to Craig County. The community has a population of 575 people.
Prediction: Eastern Montgomery 27, Montcalm, Va. 20.
Blacksburg (2-1) at Altavista (1-2)
Blacksburg is coming off a 32-20 loss to Floyd County.
Altavista took a loss this past week to Lord Botetourt. Their one win came 29-25 over Riverheads with also a loss to Lunenburg Central.
Altavista is a Region 1B school that played for the Class 1 championship last year. The Colonels were undefeated before losing to Essex in the championship game at Salem Stadium.
Prediction: Blacksburg 28, Altavista 27.
