FORT DEFIANCE — Despite falling behind 13-0 early, Fort Defiance rode a second-quarter offensive surge to down Wilson 14-13 Friday night.

GREENVILLE — The Riverheads Gladiators erupted for 419 yards and capitalized on a sluggish Nelson first-half effort en route to a 49-27 non-district win over the Governors on Friday night.

STAUNTON - Robert E. Lee put on an offensive show Friday, defeating Harrisonburg 56-32. The Leemen were led by senior quarterback Dae’ Quan Scott, who ran for 278 yards on 20 carries with five rushing touchdowns and one passing.

STUARTS DRAFT – Consistent play and strong running took Stuarts Draft to a 44-14 win over Waynesboro on Friday in the annual Battle for the Ball. Draft has beaten Waynesboro the last three seasons.

When Stuarts Draft showed up on the practice field for the first time this summer, no one, including the coaches, knew exactly what to expect.

Waynesboro coach Steve Isaacs tucked his maroon playbook under his arm and walked to the practice field peering at his defense Tuesday afternoon in Waynesboro.

Whatever Buffalo Gap coach Rob Maxwell told his team at halftime had a huge impact on the way the Bison played in the third quarter.

They are the real insiders.

Hargrave Military Academy got a great start on their 2008 football campaign by pounding Fishburne Military School 63-0.

STAUNTON — Last season Fluvanna gave Robert E. Lee headaches and but the Leemen eked by for the victory.

SWOOPE — Fort Defiance kept the game close in the first half, but Buffalo Gap’s defense was too strong as the Bison extended their winning streak to 17 games with a 35-12 win Friday night.

STAUNTON – Robert E. Lee’s combination of passing and rushing demolished Fluvanna County 54-10 on Friday.

STUARTS DRAFT — Even the sprinklers got into the act.

And I know you’re excited about them. I can sense it through the computer. Seriously, you give off this aura that just reeks of “Please, oh wise one, tell me which teams are going to win their games tonight.”

One program is steeped in a winning tradition, the other is trying to dig its heels in and stay in the upper echelon of Shenandoah Valley football — and both like old-school football.

The atmosphere was sour on the Waynesboro football field Friday night.

SWOOPE — Buffalo Gap overcame cramps and an early score by Bath County to notch the first win of the season, 25-7 Friday night.

In its home opener things didn’t get much better for Waynesboro, falling 39-6 to Western Albemarle on Friday and dropping its record to 0-2 in front a large crowd.

FISHERSVILLE — Wilson coach Derek McDaniel wasn’t a bit surprised.

FISHERSVILLE — Fans packed into Wilson Memorial on Friday night to watch the cross-county showdown against Stuarts Draft. The show was put on by the Cougars’ offense who led Draft to a 48-13 win.

SWOOPE – It was the first game of the season for Buffalo Gap, but for the quarterback Trevor Campbell it was more than that, it was the first game of his varsity football career.

A quick glance at last year’s Western Albemarle varsity football roster and one thing stands out — a lone freshman amidst a sea of juniors and seniors.

For four years, Jeremy Sweet was the heart and soul of Waynesboro’s offensive and defensive lines.

STAUNTON
On Friday night, in front of a packed stadium at Gypsy Hill Park, Robert E. Lee quarterback Dae’ Quan Scott was a blur of navy blue.

Friday Night Lights: Week 1

STUARTS DRAFT — The first game of the season came down to one possession. After going back-and-forth on the scoreboard, Stuarts Draft could not match Broadway in the fourth, falling to the visiting team 35-28 on Friday night.

BRIDGEWATER — Turner Ashby literally added insult to injury Friday night, scoring 28 second-half points to defeat Waynesboro 56-14 in the gridiron opener for both teams.

The Leemen’s win Friday night over Fort Defiance showed not only on the scoreboard, but also in the stat book.

STAUNTON — Robert E. Lee defeated Fort Defiance 40-18 in both teams’ season opener Friday night at Gypsy Hill Park.

It’s a different breed of football player in Greenville.