Just some thoughts...

<u>Appalachia vs JI Burton</u>
The games between the Dawgs and the Raiders over the past few years have been pretty one-sided with the Raiders dominating. I don't see much changing this year. Appy hosts Norton after a tough loss to Castlewood. JIB has yet to see the toughest part of the schedule but gets another decisive win.

<u>JJ Kelly vs Pound</u>
The Indians make the short drive across the mountain to Pound to face one of the more challenging Wildcat teams they've seen in a few years. Crabtree has gone on record as stating that no team will be bigger or stronger than his Wildcats this year, but I think the Indians will still be too much for the Cats.

<u>Powell Valley vs Lebanon</u>
GAME OF THE WEEK - LPD vs the CMD, DIV II style. With the recent drop from Div II to Div I by several schools in Southwest Virginia, and the move by Lebanon and Gate City in the Clinch Mountain District, the Div II picture in Region D has changed considerably. Lebanon has established themselves as one of the better football schools in this area, and no team has ever been more successful in this area than the Vikings. After the close game with Honaker, some may be looking at the Pioneers and thinking they are overrated. I think that would be a mistake for any team on their schedule. If they play as well as they did in pre-season, they can give a good challenge to any team in the Region and could very well be competing in the Region D playoffs in November. The Vikings travel to Lebanon at the beginning of a major re-building year. A win over the Pioneers would really bring some much-needed momentum, and a loss could set the tone for a disappointing season by Viking standards. I think this will be a close game with the Pioneers getting a very hard-fought win.

<u>Thomas Walker at Castlewood</u>
Castlewood goes into Week 2 with a convincing win last week over Appalachia. In the pre-season, Thomas Walker was predicted by some to finish second ahead of Castlewood in the district but took a 46-19 beating last week at the hands of an impressive Cumberland Gap team. This could turn out to be one of the better CD games of the year.

<u>Coeburn vs Ervinton</u>
Touted as the pre-season favorite to win the Cumberland District in their second year in the CD, the Blue Knights took a beating last week. The Rebels, unfortunately, won't be tough competition for the Knights in this game. Knights dominate.

<u>Twin Valley vs St. Paul</u>
St. Paul comes back home after suffering a 42-7 loss at the hands of Holston last week. Twin Valley was shut out last week by Bland County 33-0. This game could be painful to watch.

<u>Honaker vs Richlands</u>
How do you re-build and replace a player like Logan Ball? Tough challenge for any team. The challenge doesn't get any easier when you play Richlands on their home field. Should be a good game, but I think Richlands still has enough to get the win here.

<u>Gate City vs Tazwell</u>
Riding high after their win over Richlands, the Blue Devils, ranked preseason as the number 1 team in Southwest Virginia, travel to Tazewell to face a team who bring some momentum of their own following a very close 21-19 win over George Wythe. Sounds like a good game to me! I think the Blue Devils will solidify their standing and prove why they made it to the state championship game last year.