Buffalo Gap (1-4) at Rockbridge County (0-5) WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Prasnicki-Ross Field at Veterans Stadium in Lexington. Tickets are $7.
LAST YEAR: The two teams did not meet.
SCOUTING THE BISON: A new opponent for the Wildcats, Buffalo Gap is in a similar position, with both teams dropping their first three Shenandoah District games this season. The Bison are a smaller Class 1 school, while the Wildcats are in Class 3, but Buffalo Gap was one of the top Class 1 teams last year. The Bison advanced to the Region 1B championship game last year, falling to state semifinalist Altavista 32-20. This year, Gap has one win, a 50-0 triumph over Bath County on Sept. 5. In the district, the Bison had solid outings in losses to Wilson Memorial and Riverheads before falling to Fort Defiance 24-0 last Friday. The Bison like to run the ball and have a single wing offense that the Wildcats will hope to contain.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: After facing a talented opponent in Stuarts Draft, the Wildcats will prepare for a rebuilding team in Buffalo Gap. In their 52-14 loss at Draft last Friday, RC struggled to get its offense going until the fourth quarter, and the Wildcats are determined to execute earlier in the game. Injuries have hurt the Wildcats, but they will be glad to be back home and will look for strong performances from Aiden Meyers, who led the Wildcats with six catches for 108 receiving yards and a touchdown last Friday, and he also made both of his extra-point kicks and several defensive stops. RC freshman quarterback Taylan Tyree had a solid outing after missing the previous week with an injury, passing for 125 yards, including the TD pass to Meyers. The Wildcats have made progress with their ground game this season, with Andrew Kelly consistently running the ball well. Defensively, RC has played better in the second half of the last two games, and they’ll be looking to get a stronger start.
THENEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: We see the Wildcats moving on and learning from last Friday’s lopsided loss. Don’t expect them to take Gap lightly. Keys to the win will be a focused week of practice and seizing the moment this Friday by starting the game with a purpose and determination. We expect the Wildcats to get into the win column with a 24-17 victory.
