~ PVN staff report
SHENANDOAH — The Page County High School football team suffered a dominating loss to Central of Woodstock, 49-15, during both team’s season opener Friday night at Panther Field.
Page took the opening drive 74 yards down the field on 15 plays to take a 7-0 lead, but after the initial six minutes of the game everything went the way of the Falcons. The Panthers would commit five turnovers during the game — two fumbles and three interceptions — as Central racked up more than 300 yards of offense.
Central performed well in all phases of the game, including a special teams effort that resulted in an 81-yard kick return. The Falcons were able to score quickly during several possessions. Page was able to sustain several long drives, but turnovers kept points off the board in the red zone. Despite the lop-sided score, Page ran 53 plays in the first half, compared to 15 for Central.
The Week 1, Bull Run District match-up sets a new tone in the district. Prior to Friday night, the Panthers had been projected to win the district by many throughout the area. Central was picked to finish fifth. Page was coming off a strong spring season that took them to the playoffs for only the second time since 1993. Central was dropping down from the 3A, Region B Northwestern District to rejoin the 2A, Region B Bull Run District, where they had played in 2018-19.
While there are several teams that will contend for the district title, it is obvious — after Week No. 1 — that the Falcons of Central have set the bar high, with a quality win in a dominating fashion right out of the gate. Strasburg, last year’s Region B runner-up, lost a lot of seniors to graduation. Clarke and Luray — and even Page with one loss — will all still be district contenders. Mountain View, Madison and Rappahannock will struggle. East Rock joins the middle of the pack.
Central (1-0) looks to remain undefeated as they visit the Mountaineers of Madison County on Friday, Sept. 3. Page County (0-1) will look to bounce back and even out their record when they travel to Nelson County on Friday.
PVN Sports returns to the NFHS livestream of Page County football on Sept. 10,
when the Panthers host the Storm of Staunton at 7 p.m.
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