Week Five
Union (3-1, 0-1) at Gate City (0-4, 0-1)
Last Week:
Ridgeview defeated Union, 27-14
Daniel Boone (TN) defeated GC, 48-13
Last Meeting: Union def. GC, 48-0
Series History: Union leads overall, 5-3.
What once was a fierce rivalry defined by epic contests and devoted fans has became a one sided beat down. Gate City has fell to some of its lowest times in program history while Union has built one of the most successful programs in SWVA. Since last defeating Union in 2014, Gate City has dropped three straight to the Bears.
This year’s meeting comes at a most inopportune time for the Devils. Union is coming off their first regular season loss since week two of 2016. The Bears fell last week on the road to Ridgeview and roll into Gate City looking to right the ship.
Key Questions:
Can Gate City hold up physically?
The answer to this question will dictate how this game plays out. The Blue Devils lack the skill talent to overcome a large physicality. If they cannot contend with Union at the line of scrimmage, it will be a long night for Gate City.
Will Union be sluggish and unmotivated following the loss?
The Bears have lost their first game to a Mountain 7 team since 2013. How will the team respond? Will they be fully motivated to prove they still belong amongst the elite in Region D? Or will the loss carry over and the Bears succumb to a slow start and play with hanging heads? Union likely wins the game either way. The talent disparity is just too large for the Blue Devils to overcome. However, the way this game plays out may give fans a glimpse of what to expect in the coming weeks.
The Blue Devils may hang around for a quarter or so, but expect the Bears superior talent to shine through and allow Union to win handily.
Seth. Sports fan. Big Stone Gap native. Freelance writer. Knows the difference between a 3-4 and a 4-3 as well as the species of the symbiote from Spider-Man (Klyntar). A decade plus covering local high school sport in one capacity or another. Takes himself very, very seriously. Hire me!!!!
