Week 3 Preview

The following predictions do not reflect bias or favoritism of HogoOnline. All scores are generated using formulas, rankings, and algorithms (which I named Dorothy) that are still in their infant stages. Please be kind to all predictions and remember, if you don't like it, the computer did it. After all, they're just silly predictions, right?

Last week: Dorothy 5-0
Season: Dorothy 9-2


NORTHWOOD at FORT CHISWELL
The Panthers are struggling to overcome the obstacles of becoming a stable football team once again as they were handed a 41-0 defeat by Marion last Friday. A win against Fort Chiswell could be what Northwood needs to get back on track. Last season both of these teams finished a dismal 1-9 with Northwood winning their only game against the Pioneers. Fort Chiswell looked sharp in their season opener before being stymied by the hard-nosed play of Chilhowie last Friday. Northwood leads the last five games of this series dating back to 1989, 4-1.

• 1989: Northwood 28-16
• 1989: Fort Chiswell 17-16 (Region C Finals)
• 2005: Northwood 45-21
• 2006: Northwood 31-7
• 2007: Northwood 35-19
• 2008 Prediction: Dorothy says Fort Chiswell 28-12

JOHN BATTLE at HOLSTON
This rivalry has had some thrilling victories over the years, including a 3-2 win by John Battle in 1996 and a 27-26 win by Battle in 1999. In recent years, the scores haven't been as close but the series has. Of the last eight, the series is tied 4-4. Holston won last year's contest in route to a long awaited return to the division 1 playoffs, this year looks to be much of the same.

• 1998: John Battle 21-14
• 1999: John Battle 27-26
• 2000: John Battle 41-6
• 2001: Holston 42-6
• 2002: Holston 20-14
• 2003: John Battle 50-24
• 2004: John Battle 41-0
• 2005: Holston 46-28
• 2006: John Battle 41-7
• 2007: Holston 49-28
• 2008 Prediction: Dorothy says Holston 27-7

MARION at PATRICK HENRY
The Rebels played a good first half against Abingdon before giving up 26 unanswered points in route to a non-district loss. The Scarlet Hurricanes surpassed Northwood with ease, 41-0. This will be Marion's third helping of Hogoheegee this week as they are looking to come out of it with a winning record. Groves and company will need to play sharp defense for four quarters to come out with a win. Marion owns the last 8 games of the series dating back to 1989, 8-0.

• 1989: Marion 27-6
• 1994: Marion 27-12
• 1995: Marion 14-7
• 2001: Marion 40-0
• 2002: Marion 29-14
• 2005: Marion 31-7
• 2006: Marion 32-13
• 2007: Marion 48-19
• 2008 Prediction: Dorothy says Marion 35-14

GEORGE WYTHE at RADFORD
Radford opened their season last week by topping MED hopeful Galax, 37-16. Although the Maroons had a bye week, their opponent from week one, Tazewell, continued to shock southwest Virginia by topping Region D favorite Gate City, 29-19. It will not erase the loss to the Bulldogs, but it should make the Maroons rest a bit easier. This bitter rivalry has been off and on for many years dating back to when both teams shared the same AA district. Radford leads the series since 2000, 7-5.

• 2000: George Wythe 12-3
• 2000: Radford 3-0 (Playoff)
• 2001: Radford 14-7
• 2002: Radford 26-21
• 2002: George Wythe 33-7 (Playoff)
• 2003: Radford 24-14
• 2003: Radford 23-22 (Playoff)
  
• 2004: George Wythe 33-0
• 2005: George Wythe 19-7
• 2006: Radford 14-13
• 2007: George Wythe 19-16
• 2008 Prediction: Dorothy says George Wythe 21-17

GRAYSON COUNTY at RURAL RETREAT
Both of these teams had it rough last week. Rural Retreat went up against Floyd County, who many think will win Region C, Division 2, and came out with a 47-0 loss. Grayson County lost to an over the border team from NC, 46-14. Each of these teams have been powerhouses in their own districts for the last several years; however, this year all of that looks to change but this game still looks to be as close as last year's. Rural Retreat leads the last ten meetings 8-2.

• 1996: Rural Retreat 40-28
• 1997: Rural Retreat 20-19
• 1998: Rural Retreat 21-20
• 1999: Rural Retreat 36-14
• 2000: Rural Retreat 20-16
• 2003: Grayson County 23-14
• 2004: Rural Retreat 28-14
• 2005: Rural Retreat 41-7
• 2006: Grayson County 38-28
• 2007: Rural Retreat 22-20
• 2008 Prediction: Dorothy says Grayson County 14-6

CHILHOWIE at TWIN SPRINGS
Twin Springs is off to a rough start at no wins and two losses. They were downed in their season opener by visiting JJ Kelly 45-8 and Friday they were pounded by Holston, 29-12. The Titans are looking to get back on track to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but Chilhowie won't be a good starting point. The Warriors took down county rival Marion, 21-14, and halted Fort Chiswell 24-2. The Warriors have shown they are not a one man show, as several players stepped up to take down the Pioneers last Friday. Twin Springs won the first two games of this series back in 1994 and 1995. Chilhowie has won every one since.

• 1998: Chilhowie 14-7
• 1999: Chilhowie 30-6
• 2000: Chilhowie 43-0
• 2001: Chilhowie 41-6
• 2002: Chilhowie 47-7
• 2003: Chilhowie 21-20
• 2004: Chilhowie 41-16
• 2005: Chilhowie 52-18
• 2006: Chilhowie 52-0
• 2007: Chilhowie 47-8
• 2008 Prediction: Dorothy says Chilhowie 44-7