Preseason Poll: Mountain Empire District

It’s that time again. Another Wednesday means another preseason poll.

This week, we’ll look at the Mountain Empire District.

We’ve already previewed the Mountain 7, Black Diamond, River Ridge and Cumberland District’s. Check those out.

The MED has seen some movement, both in and out of the district in the last several cycles.

Graham entered and has since left. Teams like George Wythe have moved into the district while others have been mainstays.

Recently, the district has ran through one school: Galax.

It certainly helps when you’ve had a run of athletes like the Peoples brothers. It also helps when you have one of the top coaches in the area in former NFL lineman Mark Dixon.

However, it’s a new season and several teams are looking to dethrone the king.

How do our experts think it will go?

 

1. Galax (7)

2. George Wythe (1)

3. Grayson Co.

4. Ft. Chiswell

5. Auburn

6. Bland Co.

 

No surprises here. Galax is predicted to remain on top this season.

Numbers are a bit low for what most Tide fans would want. However, with the coaching we’ve seen over the past several seasons, we believe Galax will be just fine by the end of the year.

George Wythe could be a wildcard in the equation. The Maroons are always tough year in and year out, but not much info has come out of Wythe County this summer.

We do know they scrimmaged Gate City last week. From reports we’ve seen, GW was the clear winner. Does that mean they are their normal selves, or were they the beneficiary of a down Devils squad? Time will tell.

Grayson County came in third in our rankings this year. They had quite the ending to last season. Seemingly out of the playoff race conversation, they reeled off wins against George Wythe and Galax to end the regular season. This earned them the sixth seed in the Region 2D playoffs before upsetting 9-1 Ridgeview in the first round of the playoffs.

Can the Devils replicate that success this year?

Ft. Chiswell is going through a coaching transition as Todd Tiller left the Pioneers this summer to return home to Dickenson County and the Ridgeview Wolfpack.

Our pickers think a transition period will begin this year. Look for good things in the future under new head coach Josh Wingate, in his 7th year at The Fort.

Up next on our preview series: The Southwest District. Will Graham remain on top? Will Richlands return to the summit? Can a team like Virginia High or Tazewell make some noise?

Find out on Friday.

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