Stonewall Jackson (1-2) at Parry McCluer (2-1) WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Robert E. Williams Field in Buena Vista. Tickets are $7.
LAST YEAR: The PM defense forced two turnovers and recorded four quarterback sacks, holding the Generals to just 21 rushing yards in a 37-6 victory last season at Stonewall Jackson. After the PM offense threw an interception on just the second play of the game, that defense came up with a goal-line stand, and the Blues raced to a 28-0 lead to get the victory. Nathan Glass threw for two touchdowns for Parry McCluer, and Jacob Shafer rushed for 152 yards and two scores to lead the PM offense.
SCOUTING THE GENERALS: After falling behind 14-0, Stonewall Jackson picked up its first victory of the season, rallying to top Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology High School 30-14 last Thursday. That win came on the heels of a pair of losses at Bath County, 17-12, and at home against Nelson County, 42-24. While the Generals have traditionally been porous defensively against the Blues, giving up an average of over 43 points per game in six straight losses to PM, the offense, at least this season, seems to have improved. Led by quarterback Jonathan Heishman and tailback Chans Harlow, who will get the bulk of the carries, Stonewall Jackson spreads the field, often with four wide receivers, and is not afraid to chuck it deep.
SCOUTING THE BLUES: PM was close to a third straight victory to start the season, but came up short in a 21-6 loss to James River last Friday night in Buena Vista. That was the theme of the night for the Blues. They came up just short of a go-ahead touchdown with a fumble at the JR 3-yard line, and PM converted just four of 14 thirddown attempts in the contest. The Knights then scored two late TDs to eke out the win in the defensive struggle. The Blues once again had trouble keeping a handle on the football; though they only lost the one fumble, they bobbled the ball five times in the game, bringing their season total to 12 fumbles in the first three contests. The Blues were also held to a season-low 132 rushing yards as JR bottled up the PM ball carriers all night.
THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: Friday night is homecoming for the Blues, so there will be plenty of distractions throughout the week. Expect the Blues to be able to overcome those, however, and turn the defense, which has been stout all season, loose against the Generals with a performance equal to last season’s effort. Parry McCluer is 6-0 all-time against Stonewall Jackson, and the Blues will add to that number Friday, 34-6.
Rockbridge County (0-3) at Waynesboro (0-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro. Tickets are $7.
LAST YEAR: The Wildcats rallied from a 28-7 halftime deficit but came up just short, 28-21, in Lexington. RC’s Marshall Earhart ran a 1-yard touchdown to put the Wildcats up in the first quarter, but the Little Giants responded with four TDs in the second quarter, three rushing and one on an interception return. The Wildcats held Waynesboro scoreless in the second half and scored twice on 6-yard TD runs by Andrew Kelly, who also ran in a two-point conversion. RC had a chance to tie or win the game in the fourth quarter, but quarterback Grayden Brown was intercepted on RC’s final drive. Earhart led RC with 116 yards on 10 carries, while Kelly rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries. The Little Giants got a strong game from quarterback Caiden Turner, who rushed for 38 yards and passed for 48 yards.
SCOUTING THE LITTLE GIANTS: Like the Wildcats, the Little Giants are winless after their first three games, but they haven’t played in any close games. In its Shenandoah District opener last Friday, Waynesboro suffered a 34-14 road loss to Fort Defiance. Sophomore quarterback Orion Smith completed two 20-yard TD passes late in the game for Waynesboro’s two scores, and the Little Giants played solid defense, forcing a Fort fumble. After the loss, Waynesboro head coach Nathan Bain said the Little Giants are having trouble finishing plays.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: The Wildcats made progress in their closest game of the season last Friday, falling 16-8 at home against district rival Staunton. The high point was when Carson Fridley grabbed an interception in the third quarter and ran the ball back 60 yards for a touchdown before making a two-point conversion run. The Wildcats had another good opportunity after Mailq Corbin picked off Staunton’s quarterback, but penalties pushed the Wildcats back. For the game, the Wildcats lost 90 yards on 13 penalties. It was also a rough game for RC quarterback Taylan Tyree, but the Wildcats did have some success on defense and when running the ball, rushing for 97 yards.
THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: With both teams seeking their first win, we expect RC and Waynesboro to be fired up and motivated. The players returning from last year, as well as RC’s coaches, remember well how much of a thriller it was. We look for the Wildcats to have a hard week of disciplined practice, working to improve offensively and defensively while reducing penalties. We look for the Wildcats to play a cleaner game and get in the win column with a 22-14 victory.
