Skyline hosts Handley tonight in the Dave’s Diversified Services Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

The Hawks are still looking for their first win after a brutal schedule to start the season including two reigning State Runner-Ups while Handley seems to have picked up right where they left off last year, even with some new faces at key positions.

Skyline competed well in their opening matchups and showed signs of why the team had such high expectations entering the season.

The Hawks had an opportunity to go up two scores early against Strasburg before self inflicted wounds began to pile up and the Rams defense made a few adjustments at halftime to shutdown standout RB Zayden Burks for the final two quarters.

Skyline moved the ball well early against Kettle Run, the best public school in Class 3 last year, and kept the game 28 points closer than the previous go-round.

But the Hawks did not enter this season looking for quality losses, they have aspirations of a play-off run and everything they wanted in the offseason is still in front of them.

Last year the Hawks dropped 3 of the first 4 before rallying to 7 straight wins including the first round of the playoffs so a midseason surge could be in the cards once again as some very winnable games are on the horizon.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Handley’s first three opponents have a combined 1-7 record and the Judges have blown them out by a score of 111-37.

With that momentum, the Judges will enter Front Royal with tremendous confidence and a talented, deep roster featuring some of the top skill players in the Valley.

Will Yoder leads the area in receiving (215 yds, 2 TDS) and is coming into his own defensively at safety.

Last week, Yoder secured 83 receiving yards and receiving touchdown to go with an 84 yard pick-six in front of the home fans.

Jamir Washington has emerged as the go-to back for the Judges after playing primarily as a wide receiver last season.

Some of the new additions to step up include multi-sport standout Isaiah Baxter and new QB Duncan Hensler.

Baxter has two interceptions and is coming into his own as a tight end.

His block in the 2nd quarter vs Brentsville sealed the edge and allowed Hensler to scamper to the endzone untouched.

Not quite the deep ball or running threat of D-I prospect Triston Darling (out with injury), but the junior stayed ready for his number to be called and is leading Northwestern District Quarterbacks in passing yards (466) and passing touchdowns (7).

Hensler will look to add to those numbers against a defense that has allowed 41 and 36 points in their first two outings so it may be up to the Hawks offense to keep them in the ball game.

Skyline will need long, scoring possessions to hang with the Judges efficient and up-tempo offense.

The biggest advantage for this game appears to be Handley’s defense led by Jo-Jo Johnson (D-I offer to Campbell).

Johnson will do his best to shut down Burks while Baxter and Yoder patrol the backend and 300+ pounders Carson Green and Jaiquan Offut plug up the middle.

Handley’s playmakers at each level defensively should allow them the to snag a few more stops than Skyline and come out ahead in a shootout, Judges win 42-34.

For a preview of all of the area’s Week 4 games, a look back at Week 3, and more, check out the latest Sports Dogs podcast here.