THE GAME: Southern Gap (1-1) at Rye Cove (1-0)
THE SETTING: Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. at War Eagle Field on Eagles Nest Lane in Clinchport.
SOUTHERN GAP: A 12-yard touchdown pass from Brayden White to Mason Rife accounted for the Eagles’ lone score in last week’s loss to Ridgeview. Harvey Cooper led Southern Gap on the ground with 54 yards on five carries.
RYE COVE: The War Eagles are led by one of the country’s top linemen, West Virginia University commit Ethan Lawson. Cole Barnett is the go-to player in the Rye Cove backfield after scoring both touchdowns in the War Eagles’ season-opening victory.
FINAL WORD: It will be a battle of the Eagles on Friday night in Clinchport. The game will mark the first road trip in Southern Gap history, and it will be a difficult test for head coach Greg Tester and his team.
Rye Cove finished one victory short of playing for a state championship last season after defeating Eastside on the road in frigid temperatures to win the Region 1D title. Southern Gap struggled to contain Ridgeview’s athleticism last week.
Although Rye Cove may not have as many offensive weapons as the Wolfpack, the War Eagles remain one of Southwest Virginia’s top teams.
PREDICTION: Rye Cove 42, Southern Gap 12
THE GAME: Honaker (1-0) at Ridgeview (1-0)
THE SETTING: Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. at Ridgeview High School Football Stadium in Rose Ridge.
HONAKER: Kameron Keen caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Brayden Justus in the Tigers’ season-opening victory. Other key players for Honaker include Levi Honaker, Cole Morrison, Kam Beavers, Levi Johnson and Haiden Miller.
RIDGEVIEW: The Wolfpack’s dynamic duo of Alex Grant and Colin Hill combined for more than 200 rushing yards in last week’s blowout victory over Southern Gap. Hill led all rushers with 112 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Grant added 91 yards and two scores on six carries.
Grant also returned a punt for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass, showing how many different ways he can affect a game.
FINAL WORD: Honaker suffered a devastating loss when standout sophomore quarterback Parker Lowe broke his collarbone three plays into the season opener. The injury could keep Lowe sidelined for the remainder of the year.
Ridgeview looked as good as advertised in its opening victory over Southern Gap. Grant, Hill, Xander Wallace and Braxton Deel give the Wolfpack more than enough firepower to overwhelm the injury-plagued Tigers.
PREDICTION: Ridgeview 48, Honaker 14
