An in-depth look at the first full slate of high school football this week.
Albemarle (0-0) at Monticello (0-0) Time: 7:30 p.m. Radio: WINA
The Basics: Monticello lost nearly every one of is starters, including All-State wideout Jake Pelton and Central Virginia’s offensive player of the year, Michael Graham. Albemarle lost a number of starters too including quarterback Jeremy Robinson and Zach Vrhovac, the Patriots’ speedy, gutty wide receiver. The new cast? There aren’t many old faces, but speedster Jordan Hill stands out for the Patriots, and expect CJ Page to step up in a big way for the Mustangs. Plus, Wendell Green makes his debut as the Albemarle coach.
Key Matchup: Albemarle’s front seven against Monticello’s offensive line. While the Patriots bring back some folks up front, Monticello is putting the load on a number of young guys. In a game where a number of playmakers will be trying to find their stride, things will probably be decided up front.
Player to watch: Mayn Francisco. Is the Albemarle junior ready to carry the Patriots in the run game after an ankle injury cut short his junior season?
Line: Monticello by 1.5 because they’ve got the edge lately in the series, but this one appears to be a toss-up with all the new faces.
Fork Union (0-0) at Norfolk Academy 4 p.m.
The Basics: Fork Union is massive up front, and, as will be the case all year, the Blue Devils will do their best to impose their will in the run game. They’ll also try and get it done defensively with a talented front seven led by Jamal Hunter, a talented linebacker who seems to be in on about every single play. Norfolk Academy is no cupcake first opponent though. They were unbeaten in a run to the Tidewater Conference title last season and return their entire backfield, highlighted by senior fullback Scott Heller, running back Desmond Cole and quarterback Andy Via. Eric Gorsline, a 6-foot-3, 225 pound lineman who along with Via shines in lacrosse on the Bulldogs’ attack, helps clear the way up front.
Key Matchup: FUMA’s quarterbacks versus Norfolk Academy’s linebackers. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Blue Devils—maybe Canadian Richard Quittenton—has to keep N.A. linebackers Marshall Scott and Miguel Turner from crowding the box so that that the running game can take over.
Player to watch: FUMA running back Nathan Lundberg. Lundberg will have to carry a big chunk of the offensive load as the Blue Devils break in another quarterback.
Line: FUMA by 4.5. Size smashes speed in FUMA’s season opener.
William Monroe (0-0) at Spotswood (0-0) 7 p.m.
The Basics: Mark Sanford opens up the newest era in Monroe football history with a trip west on Route 33 to Spotswood. Monroe went 0-10 last season and has gone 2-28 over the last three years. They’ll face a Blazers squad that brings back Chad Williams at quarterback (more than 700 yards passing in 2008) and 1,000-yard rusher Nick Wimer, a hard-nosed fullback who carried the ball 205 times last year.
Key Matchup: Monroe’s front seven against the Spotswood rushing game. With Wimer leading the way, the Dragons’ linebackers — billed as the strength of the defense — will need to fill gaps and stuff the Blazers if Monroe wants to hang with a Spotswood squad set on improving on their 5-5 record in 2008.
Player to watch: Monroe sophomore Jordan Gentry, a multi-talented threat who should see time at several positions for the Dragons. Gentry’s emergence could potentially be a key to the Dragons’ rebuilding efforts.
Line: Spotswood by 2.5. But expect new-look William Monroe to be a tough out for the Blazers.
Fluvanna County (1-0) at Madison County (0-0) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: New Fluvanna County coach Rodney Redd got his tenure with the Flucos off to a solid start with a 26-8 victory over Prince Edward in a monsoon last week by leaning on T.J. Dudley in the run game. Madison opens the year with Fluvanna bringing back a number of playmakers including the backfield tandem of Logan Terrell and Devon Boone. Look for tight end Dylan Shifflett to factor in on offense too.
Key Matchup: Madison’s secondary against Fluvanna quarterback Ryan Foster. The problem Foster gives defenses is that he can make a play when things break down. That means the Mountaineers’ corners and safeties must have their head on the swivel against the seasoned signal-caller.
Player to watch: Fluvanna linebacker Willie Crawford. Crawford piled up double-digit tackles against Prince Edward in Fluvanna’s new defensive scheme. Now he’ll have to haul down Terrell, Madison’s bruising fullback.
Line: Madison by 1.5. The Mountaineers bring back a lot, and that’s a big-time advantage early.
Turner Ashby (0-0) at Western Albemarle (1-0) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Western is riding high after a 49-0 thrashing of Waynesboro, but now T.A., a 2008 playoff team and a traditional powerhouse, comes to town. There are a few similarities between the two programs, like the fact that both bring back centerpiece linebackers in Western’s Mitchell Parks and T.A.’s Alex Collins. Both teams also come in to the season with a talented group of skill players and questions up front.
Key Matchup: Western’s front seven against a newly-revamped Turner Ashby offensive line. If the Warriors can take advantage of Ashby’s inexperienced line (two starters return, four players including the tight end will start their first varsity game) by putting pressure on senior quarterback Kyle Linn, Western could be rolling to a 2-0 start.
Player to watch: Western wideout/linebacker/kicker Dom Losco. Losco’s big week against Waynesboro keyed the Warriors’ runaway victory. They’ll likely need a similar effort against Turner Ashby.
Line: Western by 2.5. Warriors can make an early statement to the Jefferson District with a win over the Knights.
Charlottesville (0-0) at R.E. Lee (0-0) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Charlottesville clearly has a new attitude and outlook in Chris Fraser’s second year at the helm, but the Black Knights’ non-district stretch that starts with the Leemen is one of the area’s toughest. Lee does have to replace 34 touchdowns and 3,000 all-purpose yards that James Madison’s Dae’Quan Scott accounted for. The electric prep quarterback now factoring into the Dukes’ wideout corps.
Key Matchup: Lee’s talented rushing tandem of Terrell Mickens and Mark Anderson and the Charlottesville rushing defense. With the Leemen breaking in a new quarterback, stopping Mickens and Anderson is the top priority for the Black Knights.
Player to watch: Charlottesville freshman quarterback Benj Wilhelm. Odds are good he won’t be the only one to see time behind center for the Black Knights, but if Wilhelm plays as promised, it’ll be interesting to see what the tall freshman can handle.
Line: R.E. Lee by 4.5. The Leemen may have lost Scott, but the cupboard is far from bare in Staunton.
Louisa County (0-0) at Eastern View (1-0) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Louisa is one of the early favorites to win the Jefferson District, but they’ll have to knock off an Eastern View squad hungry to get a win against the Lions. Louisa has the talent in the front seven defensively to contain Eastern View quarterback Simon Pendleton, who accounted for four touchdowns against Culpeper last week.
Key Matchup: Louisa’s fleet of running backs against a Cyclones defensive group with a propensity for causing turnovers. Eastern View forced five turnovers against Culpeper last week. Louisa’s backs, starting with sophomore Andre Mealey, must hold onto the ball.
Player to watch: Louisa linebacker Chris Colvin. Colvin will likely play a big role for Louisa in putting a halt to the Cyclones’ run game. If Colvin and the rest of the linebackers play well, Louisa has a good shot at being in control.
Line: Louisa County by 6.5. The Lions look tough to beat coming in and Eastern View could struggle against Louisa’s multiple formation attack.
Orange County (0-0) at Chancellor (0-0) 7:30 p.m. Radio:ESPN840
The Basics: Orange County’s first couple of weeks of the post-Quintin Hunter era haven’t gone as planned and the struggles against Madison County in a recent benefit game aren’t the biggest problem. Amir Waller has reportedly injured his hand and may miss significant time. Waller, a talented 6-foot-2 wide receiver/quarterback/defensive back, was set to factor into numerous situations for the Hornets. And with Chancellor, a region champion last season, coming to town, Orange’s road isn’t getting any easier.
Key Matchup: Orange’s secondary against Chancellor’s junior quarterback Micah Cunningham. The Hornets’ defensive backs, including Tyler Seal, will have to come up big for the Hornets to steal one from Chancellor.
Player to watch: Orange County’s Tyrone Ellis. If Waller is out, Ellis and Seal may have to give the Hornets an offensive spark as two of the teams’ speediest players.
Line: Push. With Waller potentially out, Chancellor may be in control, but Orange still has a bunch of weapons.
Buckingham (1-0) at Nelson County (0-0)
The Basics: Nelson County coach Mark Wells takes the field at the helm of the Governors for the first time, and he brings a number of weapons with him. Nelson will try and establish the run game early against Buckingham, but it won’t be easy against a seasoned Knights defense led by talents Tarian Ayers and Antonn Briley in the secondary.
SP Key Matchup: Nelson County’s Trey Barnett takes on Buckingham’s defense, where 10 of 11 starters return. Barnett has the potential to be electric, but the Buckingham defense should be stout.
Player to watch: Buckingham two-way star Taylor Boyers. Boyers probably needs to play well at linebacker and wideout for Buckingham to get things going.
Line: Push. With Buckingham’s defensive strength and the Governors playing at home for Wells in his first outing, this one is too close call.
Covenant School (1-0) at Atlantic Shores (1-0) 2 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: Covenant looked impressive against Norfolk Christian at home last Friday, and they’ll take on another Tidewater-area opponent in Atlantic Shores, the defending state champions. Atlantic Shores knocked off St. Anne’s-Belfield in the state final last year. And they’ve already jumped out to a 1-0 record with a 20-2 victory over Broadwater Academy.
Key Matchup: Covenant’s defensive line against Atlantic Shores running back Jaquay Hall, who piled up 84 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries against Broadwater. The Eagles will need to come up big to halt Hall.
Player to watch: Covenant junior quarterback Lee Coppock. How will one of Covenant’s new offensive leaders handle a road contest against the defending state champions?
Line: Atlantic Shores by 2.5. The Seahawks are the defending champs, it’s impossible to pick against them in week one.
