Answer to September 14, 1998 Problem

Football Pairings

Three local sportscasters, Dan, Ben, and Ray, each predicted the winners of the four local football games. The only team not picked to win was Clarke County.
Dan picked: Handley, Warren County, James Wood, and Strasburg.
Ray picked: Loudoun Valley, James Wood, Sherando, and Handley.
Ben picked: Warren County, Musselman, Handley, and Loudoun Valley.

Which teams are playing each other?

Solution to Problem:

The pairings for the games are:
Handley vs. Clarke County
Warren County vs. Sherando
James Wood vs. Musselman
Strasburg vs. Loudoun Valley

First, it is important to realize that none of the four teams listed by each sportswriter could be playing each other.
Begin with Dan's predictions: Handley, Warren, James Wood, and Strasburg cannot play each other.
From Ben, we know that Musselman and Loudoun Valley must be James Wood's and Strasburg's opponents.


Correctly solved by:

1. Michael Leatherman Norfolk, VA
2. Gretchen Downey Winchester, VA
3. Chad McDaniel Winchester, VA
4. Devin Grim Winchester, VA
5. Mike Biggs Charlottesville, VA
6. Angie Cunsolo Winchester, VA
7. Katie Jennis Winchester, VA
8. Jay O'Donnell Winchester, VA
9. Trey Genda Winchester, VA
10. Dante DeFazio Winchester, VA
11. Todd Lewis Winchester, VA
12. Matthew Reames Roanoke, VA
13. Anna Hauger Winchester, VA
14. Krista Ramey Winchester, VA
15. Elizabeth Dyke Winchester, VA
16. John Beavers Winchester, VA
17. Barrett Waybright Winchester, VA
18. Kat Bronson Winchester, VA