Welcome
Hello BloggerVerse and welcome to my first post for my football blog. In deference to my Aussie and European “mates”, football to me is what is known as American Football or Gridiron to you. To me it is the start of a fresh season, pads popping, anticipation and all teams full of optimism.
Long ago and far away...I lived the Al Bundy life....”I played high school football”!! though basketball and baseball brought me to Australia, football, the San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, USC Trojans and Miami hurricanes were my first loves.
Now as I have matured, I am starting to reflect back on and look forward to memories and future highlights.
First up, this weekend, I am looking to a place known as “Timesland”, a little piece of the football universe in the surrounds of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. My old school Laurel Park High School morphed into Magna Vista high school so I follow them through the Roanoke Times online edition at: http://www.roanoke.com.au/ and the Martinsville Bulletin at: http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com.
I will be going on and on about the NFL and NCAA also but first up here are some of the games of interest for me this weekend:
Brookville at Martinsville
I have been far removed from the Piedmont district for years and have read that Martinsville's Bulldogs have had a few down years while Brookville have been a power. Nonetheless, the Bulldogs never seem to stay down for long so there could be an upset.
Carlise at Roanoke Catholic
Football at Carlise did not exist when I was lst back in Virginia so the Chiefs are an unknown quantity to me. Roanoke Catholic seems to have had their moments over the years and are a more established programme. I guess I will go with tradition here and pick Catholic.
Magna Vista at Heritage
I wonder if high schools have “throwback” nights or uniforms?? Magna Vista could have quite a few. The green and gold of the Carver Trojans, the black and gold of the Drewrey-Mason Spartans and of course the columbia blue, red and white of the Laurel Park Lancers. The school had a revival of sorts last season and should start the season with a “W” in Lynchburg.
North Stokes, NC at Patrick County
I have been amazed to see the Cougars of Patrick County being an annual contender over the last few seasons and figure they will jump out to fast start.
Tunstall at Dan River
While no longer in the same district, these traditional rivals meet to open the season. I have no clue with this one so will go with the home team.
Bassett at Carroll County
Another morphed team since my days in the PD, the Bassett Bengals had an apparent off years last season and will travel to meet a solid Carroll County team. I see the Bengals off to a rough start, losing a close one.
Ok, that is my first look back to Virginia from Down Under, more in the weeks to come.
If any schools or programmes want a blurb from me or have game pics that I would be allowed to post....give us a yell.
