High School

 INDEPENDENCE –– Grayson County used a 10-point edge in the third period to break out to a 19-point lead and the Blue Devils opened their 2012-13 season with a 67-45 nondistrict win Friday over Alleghany, N.C.

Leading 31-22 at the half, Grayson County opened the second half on a tear and pulled out to a 54-35 lead by the start of the fourth quarter.

Mikey Rodgers scored 20 points to lead all scorers while Adam Wyatt and Ty Cannaday each chipped in 11 points for the Blue Devils. Fabian Santos led Alleghany (0-2) with 15 points.

MAX MEADOWS –– Fort Chiswell drove 79 yards in less than two minutes, converting a third-and-26 along the way, and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 27 seconds left to squeak past Grayson County 32-28 Friday in a Western Section Division 2 second round game at C.F. McKinney Field.

Grayson County, the No. 8 seed, sees its season end at 9-3, while top-seeded Fort Chiswell (11-1) advances to next week’s state quarterfinals against John Battle (11-1).

It’s a shame Cliffs Notes doesn’t have any study guides dedicated to two-a-days. Such a manual would have come in quite handy in Galax this week as the No. 8 Maroon Tide prepared for its Western Section Division 1 second round playoff game tomorrow at 1 p.m. at top-seeded Honaker.

Having to find and prepare replacements for four injured starters, who encompass as many as a dozen total positions including special teams, Maroon Tide coach Mark Dixon said this week has been a lot like training camp.

ELLISTON –– With six starters back from a team that reached the Division 2 state semifinals a year ago, Auburn has been a solid favorite to return to the state final four in 2012.

The Eagles, now competing in Division 1, sure looked the part Thursday.

Auburn rung up its 24th win – its 22nd by a 3-0 count – in the Region C Division 1 finals, pounding Galax 25-12, 25-14, 25-13 at Eastern Montgomery High School.