Parry McCluer (3-1) at Luray (2-2)
WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Bulldog Field in Luray. Tickets are $7. LAST MEETING: This is the first meeting between the Blues and the Bulldogs.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS: It is nothing fancy for Luray offensively. The Bulldogs line up in their wing-T formation and try to run the ball right at opposing defenses. In last week’s 48-27 victory over Rock Ridge, Luray threw only three passes the entire game. Meanwhile, three different ball carriers rushed for over 100 yards in the contest. Junior fullback Ryan Jenkins, a 200-pound bruiser out of the backfield, is at the center of the Luray offense, and he has rushed for 322 yards in the two Bulldog victories, including 159 yards on 23 carries last Friday night. Senior Cason Bryant, who often lines up beside Jenkins in the backfield, carried the ball 14 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns against Rock Ridge, while flanker Caleb Cyphert also went over the century mark as the Bulldogs often spring him free on the occasional reverse. Defensively, Luray has surrendered at least four touchdowns each game and has been susceptible to the big play.
SCOUTINGTHEBLUES: PM rebounded from its first loss of the season with a resounding victory at Stonewall Jackson, 37-6, last Friday night. Though quarterback Nathan Glass threw his first two interceptions of the year in that game, he also tossed three TD passes and rushed for 79 yards on only four carries. Running back Jacob Shafer enjoyed his best game of the season, rushing for 152 yards and scoring three TDs, one rushing and two receiving. The Blues really improved defensively, forcing two turnovers and holding the Generals to only 21 yards rushing in the game. The PM stop unit also recorded four quarterback sacks and 11 tackles for loss, one of which went for a safety.
THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: The game between the Blues and Bulldogs will probably be won at the line of scrimmage, where Luray is big and bruising. PM’s defensive front will have to hold its own, and the Blues are going to have to hit a couple of big plays to pick up another road win. However, Luray’s three-headed monster in the backfield might just be too much, and the Bulldogs will eke out a 28-21 win.
