District realignment has reshaped many schedules.
Alleghany leads Timesland with seven new opponents, followed by Carroll County, Rockbridge County and Auburn with six apiece.
Several schools that waited until new district alignments were set in stone by the VHSL found themselves scrambling to fill a 10-game schedule.
As a result, Lord Botetourt and Northside are playing each other twice in 2017, as are William Byrd and William Fleming. Byrd plays Fleming in back-to-back games, Sept. 29 Fleming and Oct. 13 at home.
Starting a new two-year scheduling cycle for 2017-18 in the VHSL produced some unusual pairings.
Dinwiddie will play at Salem on Sept. 8 in a rematch of last year’s Group 4A state final that Salem won 31-27.
Both William Byrd and Blacksburg will travel to Tazewell County to face Richlands. The Blacksburg game will pit Bruins coach Thad Wells against his alma mater.
Galax will make two trips in five to Roanoke County, first for the traditional opener against Glenvar and on Sept. 29 to play Northside.
William Fleming will head east to play North Stafford on Sept. 15.
Eastern Montgomery will travel by bus to the upper corner of Buchanan County to play Hurley, leaving school at 12:30 p.m.
North Cross has the longest trek, 248 miles to Atlantic Shores Christian in Portsmouth. The Raiders are the only Timesland team with a nine-game schedule and the only Timesland team that does not open the season Friday.
Several schools wound up with unbalanced home and road dates.
Roanoke Catholic’s first six games are away from Vinyard Park. The Celtics’ first home game is Oct. 13. The Celtics have a trip of 200-plus miles Friday to VHSL member King & Queen for the season opener.
Martinsville’s first four games are on the road. Patrick Henry, Northside and Grayson County each start the season with three road games... Click here to read full article
ARTICLE SOURCE:
