Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy (0-5) at Parry McCluer (3-2) WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Bobby Williams Field in Buena Vista. Tickets are $7.
LAST MEETING: This is the first meeting between the Blues and the Ospreys.
SCOUTING THE OSPREYS: This season has been a struggle for a program still in its infancy as the Ospreys, which started playing football in 2021, have limped to an 0-5 start. Most recently, SMLCA suffered a 50-22 loss to Atlantic Shores Academy, and that has been the way most of this season has gone as the Ospreys have allowed an average of 47.2 points per game. Offensively, SMLCA will employ multiple sets, running mostly from an I-formation, though the Ospreys will employ a spread look as well. When in the I, tailback Carter Garland, a junior, will get most of the carries behind an undersized line. Quarterback Caleb Phillips, also a junior, calls the signals.
SCOUTING THE BLUES: The Blues return home this Friday after a three-game road swing that saw them post a 1-2 record, which includes last Friday night’s 48-8 loss at Luray. In that game against the Bulldogs, the Blues struggled on both sides of the ball, committing three turnovers while compiling a season-low 121 yards of total offense. Defensively, PM surrendered 330 rushing yards to the Bulldogs. Luray held the ball for over 30 minutes in that game and scored on all but two of its offensive possessions, as the Blues could not come up with the crucial stop when they needed it. Linebackers Jacob Shafer and Parker Snider still had big games for the Blues, however, with 16 and 14 total tackles, respectively.
THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: Friday night is Hall of Fame night in Buena Vista, and the Blues will certainly want to put last week’s loss behind them in front of the returning alumni. They will also want to put together a better outing in the final tune-up before entering Pioneer District play next Friday, Oct. 10, at Narrows. This one should not be close. Expect PM’s offense to return to form as the Blues post a 41-6 victory.
