Louisa County at Orange County 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Louisa and Orange lock up again for the Battle for the Gordonsville Tastee-Freez, and there’s more on the line than pride here—the winner gets a huge leg up in the Jefferson District race. Most everyone thinks Louisa County is pretty good. We’ll know if they’re good after this week. The Lions face the first of several teams that have an excellent shot at knocking them off, and Orange beat two other squads that fit that bill the last two week, completing the first two legs of a brutal start to Jefferson play. Louisa has been impressive despite some occasional sloppy play (the first quarter against Monroe two weeks ago was particularly slow) but they’re still trying to find that four quarter, full-tilt effort that head coach Mark Fischer demands. They’ll probably need it against an Orange team that made Goochland pay for slowing down in the second half, unleashing big play after big play from an explosive offense led by Cameron Hughes, Tyler Seal and Amir Waller. Orange played with fire last week against Goochland and escaped. If the Hornets start slow again, the Lions likely won’t be as forgiving.
Key matchup: Orange’s front seven takes on the Louisa ground game. The Hornets got absolutely gashed by Goochland last week including a 200-plus yard rushing performance from David McKenna. If they can’t slow down Anthony Hunter, Rayshawn Jackson, Zack Jackson and Kire Worley, they’ll be in for a long night, because each one can find pay dirt.
Player to watch for: Orange’s Waller. The Hornets unleashed their Wildcat-style set with Waller last week — not a surprise considering he was a candidate to move to quarterback after Quintin Hunter graduated — but his best shot to burn the Louisa defense will likely come in the passing game against a secondary that’s been spotty at times. What the Hornets will have to watch for is that for every big play the Lions’ secondary surrenders, Elijah Payne is usually lying in wait to grab an interception and make a big play of his own.
Line: Louisa County by 3. Orange pulled one out last week, but the Lions will be fired up for their first critical district tilt after hanging big numbers on William Monroe and Western Albemarle.
Hargave (1-4) at Covenant (0-5) Thursday 3:30 p.m.
The Basics: Both the Tigers and Eagles come into this game hungry for a win. Hargrave has lost four straight since winning its opener against Carlisle. Covenant is still searching for its first win of the year as its defense has struggled. Injuries hurt the Eagles out of the gate, and they’ve gotten healthier since then. Covenant should enjoy the home field advantage with school letting out just in time for the game to provide a solid crowd.
Key Matchup: Covenant’s front seven versus the Hargrave rushing attack. The ground game has been the single biggest problem for the Eagles. To give the offense a chance, they need to keep Hargrave from moving the ball the old-fashioned way and wrap up when they tackle.
Who to watch: Eagles receiver/defensive back/return specialist Jesse Getchel. Last week the senior provided the lone spark against Blue Ridge with his 99-yard return. Since banging up his shoulder, Getchel’s gotten better each week and Covenant needs his big play ability.
Line: Covenant by 1. The Eagles have played a tougher schedule and they had nearly the same outcome against the Barons as the Tigers did. Chalk this one up to home field and desire.
Collegiate (3-1) at Woodberry (3-1) 3:30 p.m. Friday
The Basics: The Tigers are riding high. Woodberry bounced back from a loss to McDonogh with a runaway win over Fork Union. Now the Tigers continue their challenging slate with Collegiate, the defending Division I state champions. While FUMA boasted a strong one-two punch in the run game, Collegiate has shown a penchant for airing it out a little. Expect Woodberry to adapt quite well.
Key matchup: Woodberry’s secondary takes on Collegiate quarterback Wilton Speight. Speight, who steps in for the graduated Jake McGee, torched Woodberry’s archrival Episcopal last week for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Last week, Woodberry’s secondary locked down Fork Union—they’ll need a similar effort against Speight.
Player to watch for: Woodberry’s Carlson Milikin. The speedy athlete made an impact on both sides of the ball against Fork Union Military Academy. If he brings that same level of play Saturday, Collegiate could be in trouble.
Line: Woodberry by 7. The Tigers have been one of the few teams to knock off Collegiate in the last few years. There’s little reason to think that’ll change this week.
Fork Union (1-3) at St. Christopher’s (3-1) Friday 4 p.m.
The Basics: The Blue Devils fell in a tough loss in their home opener to rival Woodberry Forest last week. Interceptions and dropped passes plagued FUMA. As they look to pick up the pieces the Blue Devils head to face another school on the mend. St. Christopher’s was ranked second in the VISAA Division 1 standings before dropping its first game of the year against Division 2 opponent, St. Anne’s-Belfield.
Key Matchup: Fork Union’s linebacking corps versus Saints quarterback Rob Vozenilik. The St. Christopher’s quarterback likes to run the ball and if the Blue Devil linebackers can stay put and not bite on play fakes, they’ll get a chance to lay some wood. When Vozenilik is locked down, the Saints offense is entirely different.
Who to watch: The FUMA passing game. The Blue Devils had their chances. The receivers know how to get open and quarterbacks Christian Hackenburg and Richard Quittenton can sling it. The two just need to be on the same page. There’s no reason the Blue Devils can’t get the job done in the air.
Line: FUMA by 1. St. Christopher’s hasn’t played anyone significant on the Division1 circuit. Fork Union’s spent three of its first four weeks playing monsters, both in and out of state.
Nelson County (0-5) at Gretna (4-1) 7 p.m.
The Basics: Not the team you want to run into when you’re looking for win number one. The Governors got a bye last week to prepare for the perennial state title contenders in the Hawks. Gretna has won four straight since its loss to Liberty Christian. The Hawks are averaging more than 40 points per game since being shutout by the Bulldogs. That’s more bad news for Nelson as the defense has given up more than 40 points per contest.
Key Matchup: The Governors’ front four versus Gretna’s Nick Miller. The Hawks quarterback is as dangerous as they get, capable of airing it out to a skilled set of receivers and just as capable of breaking off big runs of his own to put points on the board. It’ll be all about trying to bottle up the two-way QB for Nelson.
Who to watch: It’s Miller. The electric signal caller has all the tools. He was named one of VirginiaPreps.com’s top 16 prospects and is part of an elite club of players to have ever thrown and rushed for 20 TD’s in one season.
Line: Gretna by 14. Rough week for Nelson on the road.
Riverbend (2-3, 0-2 Commonwealth) at Albemarle (2-3, 0-2 Comonwealth) 7 p.m.
The Basics: Albemarle’s schedule is never easy, but the Patriots might have a winnable game on their plate this week since they’re at home. Still Riverbend only fell to Stafford 17-14, and the Bears will give Albemarle a stiff challenge. Joe Anderson had 65 yards on nine carries for the Patriots last week and might be able to give the Pats a spark again Friday night.
Key matchup: Albemarle’s defense takes on Riverbend’s Rufonda Moss. Moss has been recruited by the likes of Duke and William and Mary. He’s a dynamic athlete and the Patriots will have to keep close watch on him from the opening kick on.
Player to watch for: Albemarle’s Lee Carneal. If the Patriots’ quarterback can find his rhythm, Albemarle will have a shot against a Riverbend squad that can be hurt through the air.
Line: Riverbend by 14. The Patriots continue to slog through a wickedly-difficult schedule.
Fluvanna County (2-3, 1-1 JD) at William Monroe (3-2, 1-1) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: While Monroe comes in riding high after beating Charlottesville in a runaway, Fluvanna comes in beat up and injury-plagued. The Flucos seem to add someone to the injury list each week, and Kyle Pillow and T.J. Dudley joined the group last week in the loss to Monticello. A road contest with Monroe won’t make things easier—the Dragons continue to play sound, solid football and they aren’t likely to beat themselves. Fluvanna will have a tough time stealing one this week.
Key matchup: Fluvanna’s defensive line takes on Monroe’s two-headed running back monster of Logan Forloines and Doug Sizemore. The tandem combined for nearly 200 yards last week and Fluvanna surrendered 175 yards to Monticello’s Jesse Ayres last week.
Player to watch for: Fluvanna County’s YaYa Anderson. As injuries mount for the Flucos, including several of his own, they’ll look more and more to Anderson to make plays. Can he stay healthy enough to get that job done? Last weeks’ long touchdown run showed he’s capable.
Line: William Monroe by 7. The Dragons are efficient on offense and aggressive on defense — Fluvanna is too banged up to handle that one-two punch.
Charlottesville (0-5) at Western Albemarle (1-4) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Last week the Black Knights scored their first touchdown since week one, albeit in a loss to William Monroe. The Warriors struck first on the road against Louisa County, but turnovers cost them as the Lions went on a tear in the second and third quarters. Last year this was one of the best games in the Jefferson District. Both squads would like to find their 2009 form.
Key Matchup: Western’s receiving corps against the Charlottesville secondary. With quarterback Abbott Wallenborn’s running ability, that should give the Warriors favorable coverage. How well the Black Knights do or don’t do against Western’s passing attack should dictate the flow of the game.
Who to watch: Warriors wide receiver Jake Nidiffer. Last week the senior was one of the few bright spots for Western and his ability to win the jump balls in the endzone make him a major scoring threat in the red-zone.
Line: Western by 7. Wallenborn and the Warriors’ offense get the job done.
Monticello (3-2) at Goochland (3-2) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: It was absolute heartbreak for the Bulldogs last week as they fell in three overtimes at home to Orange County after leading by more than 20 points. The Mustangs can empathize. While they didn’t get to OT, Monticello fell to the Hornets in a nail biter as well. However, last week they took it out on Fluvanna County. As it stands right now, the winner of this game gets the early edge as the top Group AA Division 3 team to get a chance to advance out of the Jefferson District.
Key Matchup: Ground game against ground game. This ought to be a game where it feels like there is a running clock. With Dustin Plummer back and looking sharp, the Bulldogs rushing attack looks to be on track. Along with fellow running back David McKenna, the two churned up more than 400 yards of offense last week. Conversely, Jesse Ayres and Isaac Robinson have been as good and consistent as any 1-2 running back tandem in the area this season. The pair that piles up the most yards and limits the turnovers should lead the way to victory.
Who to watch: With a potential epic running back war, Monticello receiver Deno Robinson has the chance to be the difference maker here. If quarterback Jhalil Mosley can hit Robinson when the time comes, it could be fireworks.
Line: Push. Two great offenses do battle. The Mustangs appear to be slightly more balanced defensively, but going on the road in a tough atmosphere balances it out.
Madison County (4-1) at Stonewall Jackson Quicksburg (0-4) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: The Mountaineers continue to roll as the they topped Page by 21 points to take their third straight double-digit win. Last week the defense rose to the occasion to hold the Panthers to just one score. Madison is also watching the Dustin Farmer-Travis Warren game of pitch and catch continue to pile up big numbers. The Generals come off of a 1-point loss to Strasburg on the road last week. Jackson has lost twice by four points or less.
Key Matchup: The Madison secondary versus Jackson quarterback John-Michael Pirtle. Last year the Mountaineers feasted on interceptions to pave the way for victory. If they can force turnovers in the passing game they’ll be in great shape as nobody has emerged as a major threat so far in the Generals crowded backfield.
Who to watch: Madison defensive lineman Clifford Fortune. As the saying goes, every good pass defense starts with a good pass rush. Fortune has the skill set and knows how to get after quarterbacks. If he can keep Pirtle on edge, the rest of the Mountaineer defense will look awfully sharp.
Line: Madison by 4. Jackson’s better than last year, but the Mountaineers have a nice roll going and seem to be getting better by the week.
Boys Latin (5-0) at St. Anne’s-Belfield (5-0) 2 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: Latin is traditionally an athletic powerhouse and their record indicates they’ll be a big challenge for the Saints. But STAB has had things rolling of late, finding different ways to win each week, but largely leaning on a defense that’s given up an average of 7.6 points per game. Look for much of the same formula Saturday afternoon.
Key matchup: STAB’s offensive line takes on Latin’s defensive front including Marco Jones, a Virginia commitment who checks in at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. The Saints are big up front, but they’ll have their hands full.
Player to watch for: STAB’s Erik Allen. The load of a linebacker/running back could carry have a big-time impact against Latin.
Line: STAB by 3. It’s hard to tell how the battle between the two unbeatens from different states will shake out, but STAB has the homefield advantage.
St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes (1-3) at Blue Ridge (3-2) 2 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes makes another trip to Central Virginia this season after taking on STAB two weeks ago. The Saints finally ended their slide with a 40-0 victory over Randolph-Macon. The Barons, who are pounding the rock about as well as anyone right now, will provide a stiff test.
Key matchup: Blue Ridge’s Isaiah Battle takes on SSSA’s Darius Lee. This battle in the trenches between ACC commitments (Battle to Clemson, Lee to UVa) should be a fun one, but Battle needs to win the majority of the snaps to power the Barons.
Player to watch for: Blue Ridge’s Jerrod Williams. While Mayn Francisco has been carrying the load, Williams brings a versatility and explosiveness to the Barons’ backfield.
Line: Blue Ridge by 3. The Barons’ new run-first identity is the difference here.
