Ten SWVA football clashes headline the 2018 slate (2024)

The Virginia High School League released its master football schedule on Thursday, a sign that the 2018 season is almost upon us.

After a quick perusal of that schedule, the following is a look at 10 intriguing matchups involving far Southwest Virginia teams that you might want to check out:

1) August 23: J.I. Burton at Union

For the fourth straight year, these two teams will get the Southwest Virginia season started on a Thursday night.

2) August 24: Eastside at Wise County Central

The first game for Michael Rhodes as Eastside’s head coach comes against an opponent he knows well from his time as the defensive coordinator at Union.

3) August 24: Chilhowie at Marion

The Chilhowie Warriors were the last high school football team from Southwest Virginia still standing in 2017, reaching the VHSL Class 1 state finals where they lost to Riverheads, 42-0.

One of Chilhowie’s four losses last year was a 21-16 season-opening setback to Marion.

4) August 24: Richlands at Gate City

Believe it or not, Richlands (4-7) and Gate City (1-9) both finished with losing records last season. Will the perennial powers bounce back in 2018?

5) August 31: Union at Richlands

The names and faces on the field may change, but the intensity level and the excitement never does in what is now Southwest Virginia’s best rivalry.

6) September 14: Union at Ridgeview

Ridgeview’s only Mountain 7 District loss last season was a 34-19 defeat at the hands of eventual Region 2D champion Union.

7) September 28: Bluefield (W.Va.) at Richlands

The Bluefield Beavers, the 2017 West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Class AA state champions, are one of many powerhouses on the Richlands schedule.

8) October 5: Grundy at Hurley

This game decided the Black Diamond District championship last season and has an added storyline this time around as 1997 Grundy graduate Anthony Church is in his first season as Hurley’s head coach.

9) October 11: Graham at Virginia High

The folks in Bristol will get a chance to see Purdue University commit Cameron Allen showcase his skills for Graham in this Thursday night clash.

10) October 26: Virginia High at Marion

VHS earned a 13-7 regular-season victory over Marion last season, but the Scarlet Hurricanes gained some revenge with a 21-14 triumph two weeks later in the Region 2D playoffs.