Fort Defiance (2-5) at Rockbridge County (0-8)
WHEN: 7 p.m. on Friday WHERE: Prasnicki-Ross Field at Veterans Stadium in Lexington. Tickets are $7. LAST YEAR: Hurt by several turnovers and injuries, the Wildcats suffered a 54-7 road loss. RC scored its only touchdown on an 85-yard kickoff return by Trevor Hoke in the second quarter, and Aiden Meyers tied the game at 7-7 by converting an extrapoint kick. After that, it was all Fort Defiance, which scored four TDs in the second quarter, two by running back Jimmy Pruiksma. RC quarterback Taylan Tyree passed for 70 yards, but he was intercepted three times, and the Indians capitalized on scoring opportunities. Andrew Kelly led RC with 25 rushing yards.
SCOUTINGTHEINDIANS: After a 23-7 win over Clarke County on Sept. 4 and then a 34-14 victory in its Shenandoah District debut against Waynesboro, Fort Defiance has lost four consecutive games, all in the district. However, the Wildcats should prepare for a district challenge as usual, as the Indians run the ball well and had a bye last week, giving them extra time to recover and prepare. Pruiksma, now a senior, has had big games. The Indians suffered a 22-21 loss at Wilson Memorial on Oct. 2, when Pruiksma rushed for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns before the Little Giants won the game on a 38-yard field goal. In Fort’s 41-21 loss to Riverheads on Oct. 9, Pruiksma rushed for 145 yards and two TDs and threw a 24-yard TD pass to Laiden Wimer.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: The Wildcats are seeking their first win in nearly two years, and Friday will be senior night, when the Wildcats will honor their six seniors. RC suffered a tough hit last Friday when Tyree went out with a broken ankle in the first quarter of a 62-20 loss at Riverheads. Carson Fridley did a solid job stepping in for Tyree, passing for 100 yards and a TD, though he was intercepted several times. Fridley also rushed for a 48-yard TD. While Fort is a less daunting opponent than Riverheads, the Wildcats will have their hands full in stopping another team that moves the ball well on the ground. The Wildcats will have to step up on both sides of the ball to have a chance in this one, and they’ll want a strong running game from Jhordane Campbell.
THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S PICK: This is the last home game for the Wildcats, and they’ll hope for a big crowd and a strong performance. With Tyree out, Fridley will start at quarterback and should be more comfortable after getting experience last week. The Wildcats will play better, but we expect the Indians to use their running game effectively and deal RC a 40-28 loss.
