Powhatan (3-2) at Western Albemarle (5-0), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Western Albemarle got a huge leg up in the Jefferson District race last week before Powhatan could even play a game as the Warriors shut out Monticello 28-0 in the Warriors district opener. But Western’s work is far from done. The Warriors face a similarly tough task against Powhatan a team that is riding a 61-game district win streak. While most of that came in the Southside District, the Indians rolled through the JD last year too en route to a Region IV playoff berth. As the old adage goes, you’ve got to beat the champ to be the champ, so Western still has a lot to prove. This could easily turn into a defensive struggle as both teams are coming off big games, particularly as far as interceptions go — four for Western, five for Powhatan last week.
Key matchup: The Warriors’ passing game takes on Powhatan’s secondary. A week after the Warriors tossed three picks against Monticello, Western faces a group of defensive backs coming off a five interception night against Prince Edward. Western’s Kent Henry still put together a solid outing against the Mustangs with 195 yards through the air. He also completed more than 50 percent of his passes to five different receivers. But taking care of the ball against a ball-hawking defense will be priority one Friday night.
Who to watch: Powhatan’s L.J. Jackson. The Indians’ sophomore tailback has been their most consistent offensive threat this year, including a 130-yard outing two weeks ago against Greensville. Western’s defense locked down another emerging star at running back last week in T.J. Tillery, holding the Mustangs to less than 50 yards as a team. So Jackson’s performance will be critical for the Indians.
The line: Western Albemarle by 3. Sure, Powhatan hasn’t lost a district game in the last 61, including last year’s unbeaten district run through the Jefferson and this one won’t be easy for the Warriors. But Western’s playmaking defense could be the difference in this one.
Fork Union (5-1) at St. Christopher’s (3-2), 4 p.m.
The basics: The Blue Devils were flawless in September, and they wrapped up their insane out of conference schedule last week by beating down on Valley Forge (Pa.). The Saints fell to cross-town rival Benedictine last week and have been a bit of an anomaly. They played top-ranked St. Stephen’s St. Agnes to a 2-point game, but fell hard to a Benedictine team that’s also been a bit inconsistent. There’s no doubt FUMA want to exact revenge for last year’s game where the Saints won thanks to a blocked field goal.
Key matchup: St. Christopher’s offensive line against the Fork Union pass rush. Richlan Freeman and Brett Seigel are killing it right now on the defensive line. Freeman is absorbing linemen and still getting into the back field at defensive tackle. Seigel is flying off the edge and just punishing quarterbacks. Quarterback hurries and hits aren’t usually kept at the high school level, but if they were, he’d easily lead the area in either category. There’s no room for error for the Saints against this front because if there’s an errant throw, this secondary of FUMA’s is coming up with the ball and will turn it into six points or setting the table for the offense for a simple score.
Who to watch: Fork Union wide receiver Michael Guerci. He’s back and found a rhythm with quarterback Christian Hackenberg last week. If the Blue Devils start whipping the ball around the field with regular success, this game could be put out of reach quickly.
The line: FUMA by 6. The Blue Devils have given up seven points total the last two weeks. St Christopher’s offense has its hands full here.
Norfolk Academy (3-2) at Covenant (3-2), 4 p.m. Thursday
The basics: Number one, we can’t learn much from Covenant’s loss last week. The Eagles were forced to play without a head coach, on an automatic ejection that was overturned this week, allowing Dave Rocco to coach against Norfolk Academy this week. And yet still the Eagles had a chance to win it, tying the game up in the fourth quarter against a Blue Ridge squad that plays a division up from the Eagles.
Key matchup: Norfolk Academy’s offensive line takes on Covenant’s John Meade. Meade has 10 total quarterback pressures on the year, with five turning into sacks and the other five forcing incompletions. Considering the focus from opposing offenses including double teams or dedicated running back pass blockers he’s getting, that’s impressive. Meade is still finding a way to make an impact and containing him won’t be easy for Norfolk Academy.
Who to watch: Norfolk Academy running back Hunter Wagnon. Wagnon is averaging more than 100 yards per game, and while Covenant’s defense has played well, they did allow more than 100 yards to Shawn Steen of Blue Ridge last week. An improved effort in the front seven will be critical.
The line: Covenant by 3. Covenant can get a signature win against Norfolk Academy in this one. It won’t be easy by any means, but they’ve got the tools to get it done.
STAB (0-5) at North Cross (2-4), 4 p.m. Friday
The basics: The Saints continue to stumble with an almost entirely new lineup, with the slide continuing against Flint Hill last week in a 27-3 loss. The Saints’ offense has managed little more than eight points per game, and an athletic North Cross team won’t make things easy. North Cross proved vulnerable against the ground game against Blue Ridge, so the Saints would be wise to keep the ball on the ground.
Key matchup: STAB’s secondary takes on North Cross sophomore Max Revercomb. Revercomb has thrown for 931 yards this year already. The Raiders’ signal-caller has tossed a number of interceptions though — 11 total — and the Saints have picked off six passes on the year. A couple of turnovers Friday would be huge.
Who to watch: STAB’s Aaron Stinnie. The Saints have struggled to get pressure on the quarterback with just a single sack on the season. Stinnie, the Saints’ big defensive end, will likely play a role if STAB is going to change that.
The line: North Cross by 7. The Raiders have shown the capacity to unleash a pretty potent first punch and STAB could have to whether that storm and counter. That could prove tough on the road.
Collegiate (3-1) at Woodberry (2-2), 4 p.m.
The basics: The Cougars are back scoring 30 points a game after a down year in 2011. A 35-0 win over Episcopal was the exclamation point last week. The Tigers suffered their second home loss of the year this past Friday with a talented Charlotte Country Day coming in and executing patiently on the ground and the defense paving the way. Injuries to a pair of Division 1 talents in Phillip Berry and Doug Randolph are really hurting Woodberry right now. But the Tigers haven’t lost to Collegiate since 2007.
Key matchup: Against Collegiate, it’s always about the pass rush. The Cougars five-wide look spreads the field as wide as it can get. The Tigers have to get to quarterback Wilton Speight, whether he’s dropping back and throwing or trying to tuck and run. There’s little room for error against an offense like this, but despite the injuries, the Tigers have the personnel to take Collegiate out of its rhythm.
Who to watch: Tigers linebacker Greer Martini. He could be causing havoc in the backfield, he could be dropping back in coverage. He’s a big x-factor every down against a team like Collegiate. Fans will get a great chance to see how versatile he is and why he’s headed to Notre Dame in 2014.
The line: Woodberry by 3. The Tigers have been the thorn in the Cougars side, even during Collegiate’s state title win in 2009 with UVa tight end Jake McGee at quarterback. Woodberry almost never drops back-to-back games, much less at home. Their ability to creatively scheme on defense plays a large part in that.
Monticello (4-1) at Charlottesville (2-4) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Monticello was shut out at home against undefeated Western Albemarle last week and will face a Charlottesville team feeling good about getting its first Jefferson District win since the 2009 season. The Mustangs were let down last week by their offense as turnovers marred what many thought would a repeat of the previous shootouts they’ve had with the Warriors. The Black Knights have an offense that is nearly as athletic and deep as Western at the skill positions, but still have some holes defensively. So this is a game where fans of offense should be pleased. There are a lot of home run hitters between these two.
Key matchup: Charlottesville’s linebackers versus Monticello running back T.J. Tillery. The Mustangs junior is the engine that drives this offense. The Black Knights need to keep him from piling up yards after contact like he did at Louisa two weeks ago. With Charlottesville’s secondary athletic enough to keep pace with Monticello’s receiving corps, the focus should be on making sure the Mustangs ground game doesn’t get back to where it was the previous four weeks.
Who to watch: Quarterbacks Jhalil Mosley and Rashard Davis. Mosley will be looking to shake off Saturday’s performance. Davis will be trying to replicate his showing Friday. These are two of the most electric quarterbacks in the area, and if it comes down to a case of dueling banjos between these two, the fans on both sides will be in for a treat.
The line: Monticello by 7. The Mustangs defense didn’t play poorly against Western’s usually impressive attack. For that reason they get the edge here.
Randolph Henry (0-5) at Buckingham (5-0), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Statesmen had their best showing of the season in a 14-point loss to Amelia last week. The Knights on the other hand, picked up their fifth straight win by at least 30 points. The math doesn’t add up in this one for much of a game. Randolph Henry is giving up an average of 46 points a game. Buckingham is scoring an average of 47.2 points. All signs point to another big night for the Knights offense.
Key matchup: All 11 of the Statesmen on defense against Kenneth Johnson and Kyree Koonce. There’s really no point right now designing up a different game plan. Selling out against the run is the only choice because Buckingham’s throwing roughly two passes a game. These two backs are just piling up the yardage and they can do it out of the spread or in a pro-set. They can hit the edge or punch through the middle. Randolph Henry has to keep at least one of them to under 100 yards. So far, most teams are struggling to keep either one under 150.
Who to watch: Buckingham’s receiving corps. It will be interesting to see if coach Craig Gill decides to air things out a little bit this week to try and get ready for this team’s first legitimate district challenege, Central Lunenburg next week. This team’s been so successful on the ground, it doesn’t need balance. But it wouldn’t hurt to find out what this young group of wideouts can do.
The line: The Knights by 21. Buckingham steamrolls to 6-0 to set up a big second week of October.
Nottoway (2-3) at Goochland (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The Bulldogs knocked off Bluestone on the road last week and they’re picking up some steam right now with back-to-back wins in the James River. This is the softest part of Goochland’s campaign as Nottoway, Cumberland and Randolph-Henry have just three wins between them.
Key matchup: Nottoway’s front seven tries to derail the Goochland ground game. With four backs over 200 yards and six with more than 100, predicting who the Bulldogs are going to give the ball to is nearly impossible. Nottoway will have to play perfect responsibility football if they want to stand a chance.
Who to watch: Goochland’s Mason Engel. Engel got a chance to make an impact on offense last week at running back, but Engel will find a way to influence a contest in some phase, wherever the Bulldogs need him.
The line: Goochland by 21. The Bulldogs’ tough early season schedule pays off in games like this where they can maintain critical intensity against overmatched opponents.
Central Woodstock (4-2) at William Monroe (0-5), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: William Monroe has found its footing on offense. scoring 40 points last week against a stout Strasburg squad. But the Dragons’ defense hasn’t settled in yet this year, which has left the 2011 playoff squad stumbling to a winless start. It doesn’t get much easier against Woodstock this week, a team that knocked off a Group AA Broadway team that blew out the Dragons earlier this year. Woodstock is reeling a bit too after falling to Manassas Park last week, so the Falcons will likely be looking to bounce back in a big way.
Key matchup: Monroe’s defense tries to contain Central’s Daniel Molina. Molina had 110 yards last week against Manassas Park and after Strasburg romped in the run game last week, the Dragons’ front seven is going to have to play big-time football to slow down Woodstock’s standout running back.
Who to watch: The Morris-to-Morris connection. Jack Morris hit Dakwan Morris for touchdowns of 58 and 81 yards in the first half of a high-scoring first half against Strasburg (55-24 lead for Strasburg). More of that tandem would be critical to the Dragons getting in gear against Woodstock.
The line: Woodstock by 14. The Falcons are a little too strong for the Dragons who are still working out all the kinks.
Stafford (2-4) at Albemarle (1-4), 7 p.m.
The basics: Albemarle took on Mountain View last week, and fell to a Wildcats offense packed with playmakers. The Patriots also stacked up a few injuries in the process and the Patriots’ depth will be tested against Stafford. The Patriots need to get the passing game going against the Indians to keep teams from loading the box against Niko Troche. Mountain View held Troche to just 2.9 yards per carry last week, and an 8 for 22 passing performance didn’t take much pressure off the standout tailback.
Key matchup: Albemarle’s defense takes on Stafford running back Da’Shawn Harris. Harris torched Riverbend for 198 yards and three touchdowns so the Patriots are facing a tall task. Luckily Albemarle’s defense has shown an impressive backbone at times this season.
Who to watch: Albemalre’s Matt Crist. The lost standout has emerged as a legitimate threat in the passing game for the Patriots with 81 yards and a touchdown last week against Mountain View. If the Patriots are going to open up the ground game for Troche, Crist will likely play a critical role.
The line: Albemarle by 1. As banged up as the Patriots are, Stafford struggled mightily with an Orange County squad AHS made quick work of a few weeks ago.
Fluvanna County (1-5) at Louisa County (2-4), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The Flucos dropped their fifth straight contest since winning their season opener, and their brutal schedule continues with a nearby JD rival. The Lions fell for the second straight week, once again to a really good team and only by one possession, this time to Group AAA power South Lakes. Louisa will be hungry to be back and home and get back in the win column. It does seem somewhat strange that no matter who wins here, it’ll be the first district win for either squad.
Key matchup: Fluvanna’s secondary against the Louisa passing attack. Louisa quarterback Zack Jackson is second in passing yards in the area and his coach, Jon Meeks, likes to go for the jugular with the deep ball to complement the always tough Lions ground game. The Flucos corners and safeties can’t cheat too much against the run here or big targets like Peanut Johnson are going to come up with some big chunks of yardage.
Who to watch: Louisa running back Markel Grooms. Jackson’s going to get his yardage through the air or on the ground. Grooms has developed into a really nice complement in the rushing game for the Lions. He brings a nice blend of speed and power to the position. The junior could well develop into that go-to back that the Lions had on their last two playoff teams in Andre Mealy (2011) and Anthony Hunter (2010).
The line: Louisa by 7. The Lions offense carries them to a win behind a balanced attack.
Madison County (4-2) at Clarke County (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The Mountaineers jumped all over George Mason last week to bounce back from a frustrating showing against Manassas Park the week before. It was a similar story for Clarke too as it improved above .500 by beating up on Champe after just narrowly falling to whom many consider the favorite to win the Bull Run District, Strasburg. Two teams in similar positions and playing similar football, this should be a good one up in Berryville.
Key matchup: Madison’s linebacking corps takes on Clarke quarterback Sean McDonald. The Mountaineers have to be diligent here and get to him and bring him down. He’s a dual-threat athlete so when a member of this unit gets a chance to make a play, they need to. Madison played sound defense against a Mason team that likes to pack it in tight, so that should have prepped them nicely for a Clarke offense that always like to grind away on the ground. Not falling for misdirection though will be the key and that’s on the linebackers.
Who to watch: Mountaineers receiver Ashton Weakly. Logan Carpenter is getting it done on the ground right now, and if Weakly can step up and play like he did last week, this offense is something to be feared. When alumnus Travis Warren was making big plays for Madison at receiver the Mountaineers thrived. Weakly is showing flashes of being that guy.
The line: Clarke by 3. Were it not for being on the road against a team that’s had its number for a long time, Madison would be the pick here. But the Eagles two losses this year are to unbeaten teams, and close games at that.
Dan River (5-1) at Nelson County (2-4), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Wildcats may not have the firepower they had last year, but a 7-point win over Chatham gave them a fifth straight win and they’re once again a team to be reckoned with in the Dogwood District. The Governors continued their see-saw play, following up a beating of Hargrave with a tough showing against Appomattox. Which Nelson team will show up here?
Key matchup: Nelson’s front seven takes on Dan River’s running back carousel. No there’s no Trey Edmunds back there this year, but the Wildcats have quality feature back in Dee McMoore who has 585 yards and nine TDs so far and then three backs behind him with at least 250 yards. The Govenor’s have to play assignment football against this group and force quarterback Brian Cook to beat them through the air. It’s a tall task, especially for a defense that’s given up 45.6 points a game, a strange number for a team that’s sitting at 2-3.
Who to watch: Nelson running back Devonte Turner. When he gets going, quarterback Tyler Vest gets going. The two have combined for 1,367 yards and 19 touchodwns, but that’s largely in the two wins. If Turner can move the chains on a regular basis, Vest will have the chance to go on those lengthy runs that have made him Central Virginia’s top rusher through the first five weeks.
The line: Dan River by 4. The Governors offense needs keep the Wildcats offense off the field. Unfortunately for Nelson, Dan River’s proven that they can stand behind their defense the last five games.
Orange County (1-4) at Massaponax (3-2), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Hornets were shut out for the second straight week at home against a Commonwealth District opponent with Brooke Point bringing the hammer last Friday. The Panthers are coming off a bye after a tough loss to Mountain View, the same team that took it to Albemarle last week. Orange will be going up a physical group, making it another tall task to try and earn that first CD win.
Key matchup: Orange’s front seven against running backs Javonte Latney and Alzphonso Trice. While Latney takes up the bulk of the carries, the two have combined for just under 1,000 yards so far and against some punishing defenses. So far the ground game has killed the Hornets and it doesn’t get any easier this week.
Who to watch: Latney. Given the last two weeks, and what Orange will be able to muster up on offense if Isaiah Ferguson can’t suit up, the Massaponax back should get a healthy carry total. At 671 yards already, Latney might go off for a big number here.
The line: The Panthers by 17. The Hornets have it rough enough as it is without the injuries.
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (5-0) at Blue Ridge (4-0), Saturday, 2 p.m.
The basics: This is a pretty intriguing clash between two of the state’s three currently-unbeaten squads (Fredericksburg Christian is the other). The Saints are off to a strong start, with key wins over St. Christopher’s and a come-from-behind effort against Paul VI last week. But the Barons have showcased an authoritative run game and a playmaking defense this year. Linebacker Mujahid Fricke and defensive end Ryan Etheridge average 17.5 tackles per game between them and give the Barons a couple of cornerstones on defense. Etheridge is clearly getting comfortable in the defensive system, with 15 total stops last week in a narrow win over Covenant while Fricke has the game sealing interception.
Key matchup: The Barons’ defense takes on SSSA running back Darius Manora. The Barons have been solid defensively through four games, but this will be their biggest test yet. Manora has already piled up 697 yards on the ground with just St. Christopher’s holding the senior under 100 yards. Making sure he doesn’t get going is critical to the Barons’ efforts.
Who to watch: Blue Ridge’s P.J. White. White has emerged as a big play threat in every phase of the game. He ripped off a 65-yard run on an end-around last week against Covenant. He’s also hauled in a 56-yard touchdown catch and a 50-yard punt return. He’s also snatched three interceptions on the year.
The line: Blue Ridge by 1. While SSSA is coming in with an impressive record, the Barons have home field advantage and are massively improved from last year, when the Barons beat St. Stephen’s on the road 27-10.
