Pics & Previews
Staunton (2-0) at Rockbridge County (0-2) WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Prasnicki-Ross Field at Veterans Stadium im Lexington. LASTYEAR: In a 14-7 slugfest, the Staunton Storm came out on top after the Storm’s Taiden Tombs found Luc Geffrard for a TD early in the fourth quarter. With Staunton holding a 14-0 lead, Rockbridge made it a one-score game after Gayden Brown found the end zone with seven minutes to play. The Wildcats lost their closest game of the year after failing to equalize. Despite the loss, it was the Wildcats’ best defensive performance of the season.
SCOUTING THE STORM: The Storm are 2-0 after two wins against Valley District opponents. Staunton earned a dominant 53-0 win versus Harrisonburg for their opening game and then a come-from behind 21-18 win versus Rocktown last Friday. Late in the game on Staunton’s final possession, Storm quarterback Kayden Organ led a game winning drive that was capped off with his seven-yard touchdown pass completion to Braxton Covert. The Storm will be full of confidence coming into Lexington on Friday.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: The Wildcat offense has been held back by early mistakes in the first two games of the season, which has led them to having to chase early deficits. Quarterback Taylan Tyree and his group of receivers will look to find a steadiness that they haven’t had to start the year and utilize a potentially potent offense full of returners against Staunton.After coming off a grueling 43-0 loss to last year’s Valley District champion, Turner Ashby, the Cats are looking to bounce back.
THE NEWS GAZETTE’S PICK: Unless the Wildcat offense can keep up with a potentially explosive Staunton offense which has already shown it can put points on the board, it could be a long game for Rockbridge. Last year, the contest went down to the final quarter, and the ‘Cats were able to make crucial stops throughout the game. With 23 returners, there’s reason to believe it could be this could be a close game. We see Rockbridge playing much better this week but losing a one possession game, 21-16.
