THE GAME: Ridgeview (0-0) at Southern Gap (1-0)
THE SETTING: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Smiley Ratliff Field at the Red Robertson Athletic Complex in Grundy.
RIDGEVIEW: The Wolfpack feature two of the state’s top juniors in Colin Hill and Alex Grant. Both are moving into the backfield this season and will be focal points in head coach Kent Grant’s offense. Junior Braxton Deel takes over at quarterback, giving Ridgeview another dangerous athlete. Deel’s mobility and ability to make plays outside the pocket will challenge the Southern Gap defense.
SOUTHERN GAP: Freshman running back Carson Blankenship led the Eagles in their historic 22-6 victory over Holston. Blankenship rushed for 168 yards on 15 carries, scored a touchdown and intercepted a pass in the end zone. Brothers Aidan and Gunner Baker give Southern Gap two more physical options in the backfield.
Senior defensive back Brayden White recovered three fumbles in the opener, while linebackers R.J. Rowe and Reid Stiltner helped anchor a defense that forced five turnovers.
FINAL WORD: Southern Gap opened its inaugural season with a victory in front of a packed home crowd, but the competition takes a major step up this week. Ridgeview returns most of the key skill players from a team that finished 11-2 and came within one touchdown of defeating Union in last season’s Class 2 Region 2D championship game.
The Wolfpack have experience, speed and playmakers throughout their lineup. Southern Gap will need to control the football, limit big plays and create turnovers to remain within striking distance. The excitement surrounding the new program should produce another outstanding atmosphere, but Ridgeview’s experience and offensive firepower will be difficult for the young Eagles to overcome.
PREDICTION: Ridgeview 48, Southern Gap 6
THE GAME: Lebanon (0-0) at Honaker (0-0)
THE SETTING: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Fuller Field at EMATS Stadium in Honaker.
LEBANON: Junior running back and middle linebacker Layne Jessee is one of the top recruits in Southwest Virginia and can take over a game on either side of the football. The Pioneers also have an outstanding special-teams weapon in sophomore kicker Hagin Curry.
HONAKER: The Tiger Raid offense returns with sophomore quarterback Parker Lowe ready to build on one of the best freshman seasons in Virginia High School League history. Lowe pairs accuracy with a talented, imposing group of receivers. Kameron Keen, Levi Honaker, Jeremiah Rose and Kam Beavers all stand at least 6-foot-2, giving Lowe several big targets in the passing game.
FINAL WORD: The Coal Bowl is one of Russell County’s most anticipated rivalries, and another large crowd is expected for this season’s matchup. For the first time in four years, Lebanon will take the field without record-setting quarterback Mike Reece, who is now playing at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
Even without Reece, the Pioneers have an elite playmaker in Jessee. Honaker will counter with Lowe and a receiving corps that can create matchup problems across the field. Both offenses should produce points, but Lowe’s experience directing the Tiger Raid and Honaker’s size at receiver give the Tigers the advantage in what could become a shootout.
PREDICTION: Honaker 52, Lebanon 26
