Friday, October 16, 2009
Winning teams won't be shut out
Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times
Robert Anderson says a win over Floyd County will boost the playoff hopes of Kevin Adkins (center) and the rest of the Radford Bobcats.
Many of the predictions in this column sail wide of the goalpost.
Here's one that might score:
No Timesland team that finishes with a winning record will be left out of the VHSL football playoffs.
That's a slightly risky call, but let's get to that in a minute.
This year the Northwest Region, Region IV and Region C have expanded their playoff fields from four to six teams in each division, following the lead of Region III last year.
The big beneficiaries are the Division 2 schools in Region C, where on a few occasions teams with 9-1 records have been frozen out of postseason play.
With at least two wild-card berths available now, the door is open to all deserving candidates.
It's also open to more teams with losing records. Check the latest VHSL Rating Scale points -- visit the the press box blog at roanoke.com for a complete breakdown -- and see that Magna Vista (3-4), Patrick County (3-4), Pulaski County (2-4), Blacksburg (2-4), Stuarts Draft (2-4), Rural Retreat (2-4) and Narrows (2-4) all would be qualify if the season ended today.
Mark it down. A 6-4 record will be good enough to make the playoffs in Region III, Region IV and Region C. It's a no-brainer.
Franklin County and William Fleming are two Timesland teams that could finish above .500 and not make the playoffs, however.
The Eagles have a solid shot to win the Western Valley District title. If not, it's up to the Rating Scale where they currently stand sixth in Division 6 in the Northwest Region.
Despite a 4-2 record, Fleming is in eighth place in Division 5 behind three teams with worse won-lost records. Each Friday, the Colonels will be paying attention to the out-of-town scoreboard.
This year, as many as 26 Timesland teams could make the VHSL playoffs. In 1974 there were three.
It says here that Franklin County and Fleming both get in.
But don't bet the ranch on it.
FRANKLIN COUNTY 33, Patrick Henry 14. After last week's win over Fleming, the Eagles have their sights set on the WVD title.
CHRISTIANSBURG 28, Hidden Valley 24. Losses to Hidden Valley are a big reason why Christiansburg has not made the Region IV playoffs in the last two years.
PULASKI COUNTY 21, Cave Spring 13. Despite its 2-4 overall record, Pulaski is still putting points on the board.
SALEM 27, Blacksburg 7. Salem has posted four shutouts and is giving up a meager 6.0 points per game.
ALLEGHANY 26, Lord Botetourt 7. Alleghany has a 10-game losing streak against Botetourt since its last win over the Cavaliers in 1998.
NORTHSIDE 27, William Byrd 14. Northside is looking for its first win over Byrd since 2005.
MARTINSVILLE 22, Bassett 21. Both of these one-win teams have been struggling big-time offensively.
MAGNA VISTA 23, Tunstall 13. Who made Tunstall's schedule? This is the team's first home game since Sept. 4.
LIBERTY 29, Jefferson Forest 26. With games remaining against Amherst County and Brookville, this one is huge for JF.
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY 14, Wilson Memorial 12. If the Wildcats don't get it done this week, they still have winless Waynesboro next Friday.
CARROLL COUNTY 20, Marion 14. Both of these teams are probably playoff bound in Region IV.
CHILHOWIE 41, Northwood 8. Northwood's last victory in this former Apple Festival showdown was a 47-0 win in 2003.
GEORGE WYTHE 37, PH-Glade Spring 7. Every team George Wythe has played so far this year has a .500 or better record.
HOLSTON 21, Rural Retreat 7. The race for the Hogoheegee title should be cleared up after Holston's home game next week against George Wythe.
NARROWS 25, Bland County 19. These teams have played three common opponents. If you want to compare scores, go for it.
FORT CHISWELL 42, Galax 14. Three of Fort Chiswell's four Mountain Empire District games are on the road including the final three.
BATH COUNTY 27, Parry McCluer 7. Bath County appears primed for a run at yet another Pioneer District title.
JAMES RIVER 32, Covington 24. Sooner or later, James River's passing attack will have to make a dent in the win column.
CRAIG COUNTY 25, Montcalm, W.Va. 13. Is there a better name in Timesland than last week's Craig County hero Jefferson Lee?
GLENVAR 35, Auburn 6. Glenvar needs to finish strong to remain in the Region C Division 2 playoff picture.
GILES 31, Eastern Montgomery 27. With a victory at George Wythe, the Spartans have proven they can win on the road.
RADFORD 20, Floyd County 17. The loser of this game will face an uphill battle in the Region C Division 2 playoff race.
NORTH CROSS 36, Atlantic Shores Christian 29. The back road leading to the North Cross campus is still torn to pieces. The Raiders' road to the playoffs isn't.
SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY 34, Carlisle 7. Long trip for Carlisle. At least the Chiefs have shaken the flu bug that caused last week's postponement.
ROANOKE CATHOLIC 28, Central Va. Home School 25. Unbeaten Catholic looks for its second victory in five days this week.
Last week: 22-4 .846
Overall: 142-40 .780
