Spotsylvania (0-1) at Fluvanna County (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Fluvanna County’s first opportunity to pick up a win last week fell apart on the road against Freedom at the hands of Robert Mayo. Now their second comes on a big community night with Fluco-Q back for what’s becoming an annual tradition and the home squad has a good shot against Spotsylvania. But there’s a lot to clean up for the Flucos to make Friday a special outing and end a 19-game losing streak. For starters, the Flucos have to limit big plays on defense and they’ve got to find a way to control the clock or make some big plays on offense. Fluvanna desperately needs a true playmaker to rise up from its current crop and there are a number of candidates including Craig Smith and Antonio Washington. Fluvanna’s best bet is a combination of quarterback Mark Grooms and either Smith or Craig Russo on the ground getting a one-two punch going. Look for them to try and get that going early on.
Key matchup: Fluvanna’s offense looks to get going against a Spotsy squad that absorbed a blowout of their own against Eastern View. Fluvanna needs some combination of playmakers to emerge and give the offense a jolt including versatile Mark Grooms. It didn’t happen last week against Freedom, but the Spotsy defense has some holes as the Cyclones showed last week. Can Grooms and a veteran offensive line take advantage?
Who to watch: Fluvanna County’s Russo. The Flucos’ middle linebacker is a crucial part of the puzzle on that side of the ball, and if Fluvanna wants to bounce back from the loss to Freedom and get on track against Spotsy, Russo will likely have to come up big. He’s their best bet to stop big plays before they happen if he can make the right reads and fly up field. Spotsy managed just five first downs last week, so this is a manageable matchup for the Fluvanna defense.
The line: Fluvanna by 1. The Flucos are overdue for a win, and a home game with the Knights may be just the place to halt a losing streak that’s just a couple of days away from reaching two full years.
William Monroe (0-0) at Brentsville District (0-0), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: William Monroe has been particularly excited about this season in the lead up to this opener, and now they finally get a chance to get going, the only public school team in the area that didn’t start last week. Last season the Dragons played Brentsville to a near draw, falling 12-9 in their season opener to a Tigers’ squad that went on to go 7-5 and advance to the second round of the playoffs. Now the Dragons are much healthier, much more prepared to take on the Tigers with an experienced, seasoned roster. This is a big potential momentum builder for Monroe, and a showcase for an offense that found its stride late last season and returns virtually in tact outside of running back Malik Mallory’s graduation. The offensive line and tight end Kyle Kruszewksi make for a formidable bunch of road graders so expect the Dragons to put the ball on the ground while keeping defenses honest with enough passing to take the top off the defenses. This is a potentially well-balanced offense with Malique Shackleford at quarterback as he can test defenses with his arm or his legs. With Kruszewski and Jordan Gray back in the fold, he’s got options in the passing game. This is a solid early test for the Dragons’ offense.
Key matchup: William Monroe’s defense takes on Brentsville’s trio of running backs Deshawn Denney, Eric Jones and Zack Yates. The Tigers’ backfield is a handful with a lot of options. They’re about to meet and get a heavy dose of Rayquone Wayne. The Dragons’ stalwart linebacker is a sideline-to-sideline presence and he’ll be instrumental to limiting Brentsville’s ground attack. Look for Wayne to make a lot of stops as Monroe tries to put him in position to shut down the Tigers.
Who to watch: Monroe’s running backs. The Dragons leaned heavily on Mallory last year with a dash of Tyler Trevillian thrown in. Now they’ll turn to a group of backs to carry the load behind an bigger and stronger offensive line with a year of experience under its belt. Will it be Austin Young, Austin Morris or Jalen McKinnie that rises up? We’re about to find out.
The line: William Monroe by 7. The Dragons have the horses up front to get the job done on the road and start the 2016 season off right.
Western Albemarle (1-0) at Brookville (1-0), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Warriors cruised past Broadway in week one while Brookville won in overtime against Albemarle on the road. Now the Bees continue a three-week tour of Jefferson District schools (including a scrimmage against Charlottesville) with a battle against the Warriors in Lynchburg. Western looked as good as can be expected with so many new faces stepping in or familiar faces changing roles. They also got the job done without Noah Crutchfield in the lineup and if the defensive lineman returns they’ll add some more punch to a defense that pitched a shutout last week. Both teams have the capacity to win a lot of different ways. The Warriors can score points in bunches or lean on a defense that has some key returners especially up front. This one is likely to come down to one or two big plays and an unlikely or unheralded hero.
Key matchup: Western’s defense and special teams try to contend with do-it-all Tarell Poe of the Bees. Generally, the Warriors’ defense does a decent job of trying to take away the opposition’s first choice, forcing other players to beat them. Poe is a top notch returner and an option to break big plays on the ground or as a pass catcher. Brookville likes to find ways to get him the ball in space, look for Western to do its best to contain him or shut him off. With players like Jarrett Smith and Robert Sims out there, the Warriors have the right players to get it done.
Who to watch: Western Albemarle’s receiving corps. With a solid performance on the ground against Broadway and the fact that Brookville coach Jon Meeks likes to come after the backfield with an array of blitz packages, look for the Bees to load up against the run. That could put some pressure on first year starting quarterback Derek Domecq and his receivers. That group didn’t have to connect too often last week in the win with just eight attempts against the Gobblers versus 29 rushes. But they were good to go when they did put it up with Domecq going 4-for-7 for 166 yards and two touchdowns. If Jack Weyher and Victor Beccera can settle in as capable threats in the passing game, it’ll open up a lot of possibilities for the Warriors.
The line: Western by 7. Huge test for Warriors’ new lineup on the road, but the machine was clicking last week, if they can find that rhythm again, they can pick up a huge win over a tough Brookville program.
Nelson County (0-1) at Page County (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Both Nelson County and Page County absorbed blowout losses last week, with Page falling to East Hardy 42-6 while Nelson lost to Luray 41-0. Both teams are looking for a win in order to get on track, and this is a solid opportunity for both squads to get into the win column. Both teams’ offenses need to find a rhythm, and whichever unit can figure that out will have a huge advantage in this one. Neither squad can be particularly confident about playing from behind last week, so look for someone to try and strike early and put the pressure on the opposition.
Key matchup: Nelson versus its own health. The Governors aren’t long on depth, and an injury to quarterback Devante Rose last week hamstrung Nelson against Luray. If they’re healthy though, Nelson has the potential to develop the ground game with a big offensive line and keep getting better each week, which is their top focus right now.
Who to watch: Nelson’s Cameron Vaughn. Vaughn has the potential to be a major deep threat and open things up for the ground game. If the Governors can get him in the mix early, it’ll go a long way toward getting Nelson its first win of the season and the Matt Hicks era.
The line: Nelson by 1. The Governors get a big early season chance to get a win here. Look for them to take advantage.
Covenant (1-0) at Christchurch (0-0), 4 p.m.
The basics: So far, so good for Covenant as the Eagles moved to 1-0 with an almost entirely new cast of players in the mix, but business is about to pick up. Covenant’s rushing attack picked up where it left off late in the regular season last year with Nic Sanker and Jacob Smith supporting fullback Donavan Jackson with a solid three-headed effort. That balance allows Covenant to keep the ball moving and control the clock, which can make things tough on the opposition with limited possessions. Last year Christchurch didn’t have much of a problem with the Eagles’ approach, winning 26-0 in Charlottesville. The Seahorses are big up front and have an array of skill position players like quarterback/tight end Steven Stilianos back in the fold. The Eagles certainly have their work cut out for them now if they want to move to 2-0 in a game that was shifted due to a weather threat on Saturday to 4 p.m. Friday.
Key matchup: Covenant’s defense takes on Christchurch’s group of running backs. Jamir McNeil and Jamar Daboe have some thunder and lightning potential in the backfield for the Seahorses and that could put some serious pressure on a Covenant defense that is still finding its legs. Joseph Payne and Cole Harvey will need to play big-time to help anchor the front seven if the Eagles want to stuff the Seahorses and hold that offense in check.
Who to watch: Covenant running back Donavan Jackson. Jackson emphatically answered the question about who was going to carry the rushing load for the Eagles with Rick Weaver on the shelf last week. He piled up 201 yards against Blessed Sacrament, the No. 2 output in the entire area on the ground. Jackson hits the hole extremely hard, and the way the Eagles’ option attack sets him up close to the point of attack, that makes him a fierce presence.
The line: Christchurch by one. Having one game under their belt helps the Eagles here, but the Seahorses are a tough physical matchup for Covenant.
Hargrave (0-0) at St. Anne’s-Belfield (0-0), 7 p.m. Radio: WINA
The basics: For two straight years, St. Anne’s-Belfield has played to the final day of the season, losing to Trinity Episcopal twice in the state final in 2014 and 2015. The stalwarts of those two teams have now largely moved on, leaving STAB in the midst of a rework that could lead to a lot of moving around and adjustment. The Saints should find a lot of answers against the Tigers as the new faces and young players are thrown into the fray. One major positive is the line that a lot of those new skill position players will operate behind as several of those players have seen extensive time for the Saints and there’s more depth in that group than in years past. If STAB can move people off the ball and run downhill, they could be back to business as usual.
Key matchup: STAB looks to contain Hargrave playmaker Riggs Jordan. The Tigers are excited about the versatile Jordan who can play fullback, wideout or even quarterback. The Saints have one big defensive stopper back in Isaiah Kilby-Sharp, but the graduation of ODFC player of the year Kareem Johnson will definitely be felt. Expect the Saints to be proactive and move players around as they search for the right formula on defense.
Who to watch: STAB’s backfield. Jalen Harrison ran the show in the Saints’ run to the state title game and the Saints used an array of running backs, but none returned to the fold. So the Saints will look to Juwan Woodson and other options to carry the rock while Thomas Harry and Chase Emmert slot in at quarterback. STAB coach John Blake has never been afraid to shake things up, so odds are good this will be a work in progress, but that new backfield will get a first real test against the Tigers.
The line: STAB by 7. The Saints are usually extremely tough to beat at home and if they’ve found the right answers in the backfield they’ll be in good shape against the Tigers.
Albemarle (0-1) at Kettle Run (0-1), 7 p.m.
The basics: Two teams that are coming off of tough losses here, but for different reasons. Albemarle fell in a heartbreaker in overtime in a very good evenly matched game. The fact that a couple of tough bounces led to Brookville getting a good deal of help makes that pill tougher to swallow. Kettle Run on the other hand took a 56-27 drubbing at the hands of a solid Loudoun Valley squad. The Cougars are coming off a 3-7 campaign and by the looks of it, while the offense is slightly improved, the defense has a lot of growing up to do. This is a huge opportunity for the Patriots to get back on the right foot. Truth be told, no season is ever won or lost in the first two weeks, but in terms of trying to build playoff seeding, it matters more for Group 5A schools like Albemarle than say a 3A or 2A. So a road victory is always big, but considering that the Patriots are just a play here and there shy from a potential 2-0 record, that makes this trip up north pretty important.
Key matchup: The Cougars’ edge defenders take on Albemarle quarterback J’Quan Anderson. He’s a dual threat and he showed last Friday that he’s taken steps forward to become a more dynamic player, but he’ll need to do his part to control the turnovers. Albemarle will look to have a better day in the air against this Cougars secondary than the week one showing against Brookville’s seasoned defensive backs. But with that said, you have to like the way this Albemarle back field looks with Anderson and Jamal Thompson. Anderson’s ability to churn up yardage on bootlegs and play-fakes will force outside defenders to play contain and be honest up front. And blitzing Anderson can be risky because if he escapes, he do a lot of damage.
Who to watch: Albemarle’s defensive front. As an edge rusher/down linebacker Zykal Foster leads a unit that looked pretty good last week. They have a talented but young secondary behind them. If the rush gets to this green offensive line of Kettle Run’s, Albemarle has an opportunity to be the recipient of a bunch of turnovers instead of the victim as was the case last week.
The line: Albemarle by 7. Winning on the road is tough, but the Patriots have an opportunity here to exploit this Cougar defense with all their tools on offense.
Fork Union (0-0) at Goochland (1-0), 7 p.m.
The basics: For the sixth straight year the Blue Devils and Bulldogs are renewing this private/public school battle of Route 6. Fork Union has won three of the last four meetings but comes in making a debut here whereas Goochland got its feet wet with a big win at home against Essex. The Bulldogs’ defense looks like they should be up to the task after getting a pair of interception returns for touchdowns to win last week 14-0. Obviously, this offensive unit expects to have a better showing this week. Fork Union has so many news faces in so many different places, but scrimmages with a pair of physical teams in Orange County and William Monroe should have them ready for this game.
Key matchup: Goochland’s secondary versus the Fork Union receiving corps. Something has to give here. Cordell Mattox and the gang for Goochland showed up big against Essex. Logan Justice and the Fork Union receiving corps have size and speed. Keeping quarterbacks Luke Wilson and Hayden Miles quiet will be big because the front seven will have to focus trying to stop a solid running back stable. This is a great meeting of skill position talent, and while the rules always favor the offense these days, this Goochland secondary is a good one and should factor in in a large way.
Who to watch: The Bulldogs backfield. Okay, for starters, Essex’s defensive line was enormous so the Goochland offensive line had its hands full. But it’s so rare for a Bulldogs offense to put up a goose egg. Expect Mattox and Calvin Martin to be more effective this week. In the scrimmages coming into this game, stopping the running game up front has been the big battle for a Fork Union team that is having to play a lot of players both ways up front. There’s no doubt that Goochland will look to try and tire out that unit by running up the middle whenever they can.
The line: Goochland by 1. This defense is good. Fork Union has playmakers on the edges, but with so many new starters, getting out of the gates with a win against a team that looks particularly physical on defense, that’s not easy. That said, FUMA is 3-2 against Goochland dating back to 2011. Either way, this a great measuring stick game for both squads.
Eastern View (1-0) at Orange County (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The Culpeper County tour continues for Orange. After pounding Culpeper County 43-0 last week, the Hornets turn their ire to an Eastern View team that’s perplexed them and is coming off its own 43-0 win over Spotsylvania. After falling 34-2 last year to a very, very good Cyclones team last year, Orange put together its best part of 2015. Now the Hornets, particularly on offense, will want to flex some muscle and not just make this a great game, but one that gets the Orange faithful truly riled up about this program’s prospects for 2016.
Key matchup: Orange’s defensive front seven against the Cyclones’ running back duo of Montrez Orange and Trey Holmes. Of course the buzz coming into this game is what will Orange’s backfield duo of DeAngelo Hunt and Tre Smith put together. But the argument can easily be made that given the Hornets struggles against this team, shutting down the run is paramount. Spotsylvania gave up 93 yards on nine touches from Montrez Orange and then Holmes was just as effective with seven carries and 76 yards. Up front it’s about Alize Johnson and the line getting off the ball penetrating. After that, it’s about Ryan Horton and the linebacking corps cleaning up the mess, being sure tacklers and not letting Orange or Holmes to get pas the second level of the defense. If the Hornets win the battle on defense, they will be in solid shape to pick up a huge win here.
Who to watch: Orange’s Shavonn Ellis. What a game for the Hornets’ junior against Culpeper. Orange coach Jessie Lohr was high on Ellis’ ability to be a change of pace tool on offense, both as a runner and receiver. He showed he’s up for the task against Culpeper. Look for him to take advantage of all the attention that Hunt and Smith will draw. The Cyclones have made it abundantly clear that they plan to try and contain that duo. It would be only fitting if Ellis was the difference maker this week again on offense.
The line: The Hornets by 1. This is such a good game on paper. A traditional winner since it opened its doors in Eastern View takes on a program that’s been on a meteoric rise the last year and change in Orange.
Luray County (1-0) at Madison County (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: This has been one of the under-the-radar out of District rivalries. These two schools play each other in everything. And on the gridiron, while Luray as won the last three years in a row, all three have been by five points or less. And with that said, this game is going to be a bit different this year because Madison is bringing the ruckus on offense after it’s week one showing against King William. If it’s possible, this game might be more interesting than before.
Key matchup: Luray’s defensive line against Madison quarterback Chris Smith. What a week one showing for Smith. He got it done through the air, showed the athleticism he did last year on the ground and still found room for Isiah Smith to do his thing at running back. Luray will need to get after him and try and force turnovers or get sacks and tackles for losses because if Chris Smith finds his playmakers, it looks like the race is on, particularly when he finds Dre Twyman.
Who to watch: Madison linebacker Jake Price. He had 16 tackles and was a big reason why the Mountaineers were able to close the door on defense. Isaiah Breckenridge is going to do his thing on defense. But if Madison has a sure tackling safety valve in an LB like Price making plays all over the field, then the ceiling for this team is that much higher. Because it’s clear that Madison has one of those dynamics on offense right now where they have a great mix, a lot of variety.
The line: Madison by 4. Yes Luray is coming off a 41-0 win over Nelson, but Madison is a different beast. Four points could be a bit low, but the nature of this rivalry commands some serious respect for Luray too.
Chatham (0-0) at Buckingham County (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Some good pieces of news for the Knights here. First, they will not — and we’ll guarantee this one unless they somehow face Appomattox again — play another team THAT loaded for the rest of the year. The second piece is that Chatham is making its debut and coming off a 3-8 year. Yes the Cavaliers play in a tough district, but seven of their eight losses were blowouts. The last piece of good news, the Knights are at home playing in front of a community just remarkably eager to see this team have something good to happen it because the last seven months have been a real challenge, the kind that no program should endure. But with that said, now it’s time for the Knights to get back to enjoying football and they’ve always been especially good at home.
Key matchup: The Cavaliers defense against the Buckingham option. For starters, yes the Knights need to get more production on the ground game and give the defense a chance — especially one that has so many 2-way players. But having said that, Chatham has to be prepared for first-year coach Josh Wallace’s option that is run out of the pistol. This is a very different style for Buckingham, but they have run well out of the spread in the past, so it’s not completely foreign, just different. Rajheem Holman and Ky’Aire Chambers are quick and the Cavaliers will need to bottle them up. For added intrigue, former Buckingham assistant coach Matt Allen is in his first year as a head coach at Chatham. So while he knows the Knights personnel, Wallace’s system is completely different from what was done at Buckingham during former coach Craig Gill’s tenure. It should be an interesting game of chess here.
Who to watch: Knights defensive linemen Brycen Newby, Sean Ayres and Nicholas Hartwell. The Cavaliers have mostly new starters across the board, but offensive lineman Dylan Russell isn’t one of them. With a new quarterback for Chatham in Peyton Astin, the Knights in the trenches defensively need to get past Russell and harass Astin as much as possible. Obviously coming off a lop-sided loss against Appomattox, there’s a defensive focus for this Buckingham team. And when it comes to defense, everything starts up front.
The line: Buckingham by 3. This is an even match in that both teams are undergoing so many changes. But the Knights are going to be amped to play in front of this crowd and prove last week is not the product to expect from this group.
Woodberry Forest (0-0) at Bishop McNamara (1-0), Saturday 2 p.m.
The basics: It was one of the most competitive first halves of football we saw in all of 2015 when these two met last year at Woodberry’s first game ever under the lights at Porterfield in Orange County. McNamara came out swinging and Woodberry answered and then pulled away in the second half. To say there were a lot, and we mean a lot of great skill position players on the field in that battle is to put it lightly. What does the rematch have in store? Well a Woodberry offense that looks very similar to last year and a defense that’s beefier up front. As for McNamara? Well that loss to Woobderry was it’s only one as the Fightin’ Irish won out. This team has four starters back on offense and six on defense.
Key matchup: The Tigers secondary take on McNamara receiver Chris Bell. The Western Michigan commit set a school record last year with 15 touchdowns. Woodberry has two new starters in the secondary after the graduation of stalwarts Logi Portugal and Michael Davenport. That leaves things up to a unit led by BeBe Olaniyan who’s committed to UConn to try and slow down the ever-productive Bell. With an improved defensive line, this secondary should see some fruit from added pressure in the pocket. If Bell is kept quiet — and we should add, one of coach Clint Alexander’s specialties on defense is getting his secondary to take away a favorite toy — the Tigers will be in great shape because to outscore their offense, you need to be hard-nosed up front on defense or be able to hit some big-time plays through the air.
Who to watch: Woodberry’s John Kirven. So what’s the University of Virginia commit going to look like in the passing attack at tight end? What’s he going to look like playing defense? He’s a force physically at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds. The junior looks poised for a breakout season. And offensively, he’s got a quarterback that is as good as it gets in the state of Virginia with Lindell Stone. What better way to make a statement than coming up with a big game on both sides of the ball against this young but talented Fightin’ Irish squad on the road?
The line: Woodberry by 3. Yes it’s a tough road game. But the Tigers have so much back from last year on offense and appear to be a have a more physical defense than they’ve had in years — and they’ve never been bad on that side of the ball.
