Friday, September 03, 2010
High school predictions: Carroll County's record is misleading
varsity.roanoke.com
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Carroll County's football team got a big victory last week.
Wait a minute. Didn't the scoreboard read Bassett 17, Carroll County 14 with zeroes left after the Bengals' Zach Atwood kicked a 25-yard field goal?
That's right. But sometimes when you lose, you win.
Last week, news out of Carroll County indicated that 6-foot-5, 271-pound tackle Hunter Grubb had suffered a season-ending knee injury -- a torn ACL -- during a preseason scrimmage against Galax.
Not just a season-ending injury. Since Grubb is a senior, it would have meant the end of his high school career.
Think about it.
What do you remember about your glory days as a high school athlete?
The odds are good you didn't celebrate a state championship, a regional title or even a district crown.
No, you mostly remember the games, the highs and lows, the camaraderie, being part of the team.
That and more appeared to be snatched away from the Carroll County lineman until an MRI conducted by Virginia Tech orthopedic specialist Dr. Jim Lebolt showed that the injury was not as serious as originally feared.
No torn ACL. No end of season.
Grubb's father, Keith, a former player under Sonny Randle at Marshall University, said his son could return to the lineup by the end of the month.
There's more at stake than just the 2010 prep season for Grubb. He's drawn recruiting interest from a number of Division I-A schools with a solid package of size, agility and grades.
So the standings say Carroll County is winless at 0-1.
Not really.
WILLIAM FLEMING 20, E.C. Glass 14. The Colonels open their new stadium against an improved opponent that led Franklin County in the fourth quarter last week.
SALEM 34, Lord Botetourt 6. Just what Botetourt needs after a loss to county rival James River. A trip to Salem Stadium.
PATRICK HENRY 20, Bassett 13. Bassett was one of three teams Patrick Henry defeated last year.
CHRISTIANSBURG 39, Giles 14. The Blue Demons rolled Giles 55-0 last year and might be more explosive offensively in 2010.
CAVE SPRING 49, Graham 7. Cave Spring clobbered Graham twice last year. Next season the G-Men will drop to Group A in the Mountain Empire District.
BLACKSBURG 17, Liberty 14. Blacksburg's Terrence Travis and Liberty's Anthony Reynolds are threats every time they touch the ball.
ALLEGHANY 28, Rockbridge County 14. Rockbridge should be much improved but Alleghany won this one last year by 41.
NORTHSIDE 27, Pulaski County 21. The two schools will continue this series for at least two more years.
STAUNTON RIVER 23, Jefferson Forest 17. Wins by Staunton River over JF are rare but the Golden Eagles should have the personnel this year.
WILLIAM BYRD 13, Hidden Valley 10. Both teams had plenty to work on this week in practice after disappointing openers.
EASTERN MONTGOMERY 44, Narrows 21. The Mustangs had some turnover problems last week but still won at Bath County.
BLUE RIDGE 28, North Cross 16. The 2010 schedule first-year coach Stephen Alexander inherited might be the toughest in North Cross history.
GLENVAR 25, James River 24. Glenvar opened with a road win against James River last year.
MAGNA VISTA 24, Morehead, N.C. 7. Magna Vista had three returns for touchdowns last week in a victory at Heritage.
HERITAGE 20, Martinsville 17. These two programs used to be among the finest in Group AA but both have fallen on hard times.
CARROLL COUNTY 22, Patrick County 21. If you're going to Hillsville this weekend, leave early.
MARION 27, Northwood 6. Marion is looking to get on the scoreboard after last week's shutout loss to Chilhowie.
CHILHOWIE 20, Grayson County 14. This could prove to be a big game for the winner when the Region Division 2 field shakes out in November.
FLOYD COUNTY 30, Rural Retreat 19. Rural Retreat is stronger but Floyd won last year by 27.
CRAIG COUNTY 26, Bland County 20. Both teams were impressive in season-opening victories against Division 2 schools.
FORT CHISWELL 38, Auburn 7. The Pioneers are just one of several teams in the Mountain Empire District looking to make a statement this year.
GALAX 28, Alleghany, N.C. 13. The Trojans make the short trip across the state line after getting hammered last week at Grayson County.
BATH COUNTY 43, East Hardy, W.Va. 6. Bath won at East Hardy last year 59-6. Enough said.
ALTAVISTA 39, Parry McCluer 12. Altavista is where Parry McCluer was two or three decades ago -- the reigning Group A Division 1 champion.
HARGRAVE MILITARY 30, Carlisle 14. The Chiefs put up 32 points last week and still lost by 10.
Last week: 21-6 .778
Overall: 21-6 .778
