Parry McCluer (6-1) at Craig County (5-0)
WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Mitchell Field in New Castle. Tickets are $7. LAST YEAR: Playing without four injured starters, Parry McCluer committed three turnovers and watched the Rockets dominate time of possession as Craig County ruined the Blues’ homecoming with a 33-6 victory. The Blues took the field with their leading rusher and two starting offensive linemen on the sideline, and they lost their number two back early in the first quarter. As a result, the Blues never really mustered any offense, finishing the game with just 112 yards on the ground. The Rockets pounded out 387 yards rushing and led 33-0 before PM scored a fourth-quarter touchdown.
SCOUTING THE ROCKETS: The Rockets did not bring back any of their offensive leaders for the 2026 campaign, but that doesn’t seem to have slowed them down much. Improving to 5-0 after a 48-6 win over Eastern Montgomery in the Pioneer District opener last Friday, Craig County’s single-wing is averaging 57.2 points per game this season. That includes a 68-0 win over Bland County and a 78-28 shellacking of Stonewall Jackson, a school-record for scoring. Noah Paxton rushed for 134 yards on just eight carries and scored four touchdowns to lead the Rockets in that win, while Robbie Eakin chipped in with 127 yards on nine attempts, finding the end zone three times.
SCOUTING THE BLUES: The Blues played a nearly perfect game last Friday as they opened Pioneer District play with a resounding 41-12 win over Narrows in Buena Vista. PM’s top two ball carriers both went over 100 yards rushing, with Brody Coleman finishing with 175 yards to go along with four TDs and Parker Snider amassing 106 yards and a pair of scores. The Blues held the ball for over 35 minutes in the contest, including nearly 20 of the 24 minutes in the first half. The defense continues to be stout as well, with the PM stop unit holding Narrows to 0-for-5 on third-down tries and a paltry four first downs in the game. The Blues also continue to improve in two other key areas; PM had no turnovers for the second straight week, and the Blues were whistled for only two penalties against the Green Wave.
THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: To say Friday night’s contest in New Castle is big would be an understatement; it could very well determine the 2026 Pioneer District champion. It should be a battle of wills, with Craig County’s high-scoring offense squaring off against PM’s shut-down defense. The Rockets have firepower, to be sure, but they have yet to face off against a defense like the Blues, who will enter this game at full strength. Expect the Blues to continue to control the clock and eke out a 21-13 win.
