St. Anne’s-Belfield (0-7) at Covenant School (3-4), 3:30 p.m.
The basics: This is a rivalry in the sense that Covenant and STAB play each other every year and are situated just a few minutes from each other’s campuses. But Covenant has never pulled out a win against the Saints, even back in the late 2000s, including 2008 when the Eagles got two shots, including a state playoff matchup. This, however, might be Covenant’s best shot ever. The Saints are reeling after a winless first two thirds of the season, and have been banged up with a rash of injuries that have made snapping out of that frustrating slide difficult. Still, the Saints hung with Collegiate last week so, expect the Saints to pull out all the stops in this one. The Eagles are on a skid of their own, dropping three straight to three tough opponents.
Key matchup: STAB’s run defense takes on Jamie Gaston and the Covenant ground game. Gaston has rushed for 862 yards on the year, good for fifth in the area, so slowing him down will be one of the top priorities for STAB. Look for leading tackler Walker Neil (5.7 per game, 25 solo stops on the year) to have an impact here.
Who to watch: Covenant’s John Meade. Meade only has seven catches on the year as a part-time tight end, but the Eagles’ big man has made the most of them with three touchdowns. Look for him as a critical threat in the red zone when Covenant gets going on offense.
The line: Push. Covenant has been playing better this season, but there is a lot of history stacked against the Eagles in this one.
Fork Union (6-2) at Collegiate (4-2), 3:30 p.m.
The basics: The Blue Devils fell to now top-ranked LCA in an amazingly tight contest, their first loss since their season opener in August. The Cougars dropped down a division in the private school ranks to take care of St. Anne’s-Belfield after getting beat by Woodberry Forest the week before. It’s a clash of styles here as FUMA likes to play physical old-fashioned football and Collegiate likes to spread the field and play in space. This will be the sixth meeting between the two in the last four years with Fork Union winners of the last three contests.
Key matchup: This one’s pretty straight forward. Fork Union’s secondary takes on Collegiate’s five-wide scheme. The secondary has been a strong point for the Blue Devils for most of the year, particularly behind the play of safety Malcolm Cook. It’s going to take more than one athlete to step up here though. FUMA has to play assignment football here and make sure they don’t beat downfield by quarterback Wilton Speight. If the Blue Devils shut down the Collegiate passing attack they’ll be at a huge advantage here.
Who to watch: Fork Union defensive back/wide receiver/kick returner Tyron McDade. He’s making big plays every week, particularly on special teams. His big play ability is what the Blue Devils had in Richie Dyer back 2010 when they won the state championship. McDade’s athleticism will be a huge help to not only shutting down Collegiate offensively, but also putting up points for Fork Union should this be a shootout.
The line: Blue Devils by 7. This is an angry team coming off a tough loss. The last time that happened they won six straight. Look for a big defensive showing for the visitors.
Powhatan (4-3) at Louisa County (2-5), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Both teams are coming from playing the same opponent. The Indians took down Fluvanna County last week to bounce back from its loss to Western Albemarle. The Lions were on a bye week after falling to the Flucos for the first time in 10 years. While Powhatan looks poised to return to the Region II Division 4 playoffs, Louisa has a lot of work to do if it wants to make its fourth straight post season showing. This is a must win for the Lions, as is each game from here on out.
Key matchup: Louisa’s linebacking corps takes on Powhatan running back L.J. Jackson. The Lions have to bottle up the sophomore and contain him to the middle of the field, because when he hits the edge and gets some space, he’s gone. Jackson is an explosive big-play type of runner that can make things ugly for defenses in a not a lot of time. Stopping him is priority number one for Louisa. Getting him as many touches as possible is Powhatan’s.
Who to watch: Lions junior Dieon Johnson. Whether at linebacker, at receiver or at running back, when Johnson’s been on Louisa’s offense finds a different gear. He’s almost a month removed from getting dinged up with a stinger against Monticello in September. If he’s at 100 %, he’s going to make a huge difference in this game and the Lions need his versatility.
The line: Powhatan by 4. The Indians defense is better than it gets credit for and will likely lead the way. This team’s three losses are to three outstanding opponents (Western, Fork Union and Midlothian).
Monticello (5-2) at Fluvanna County (2-6), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Monticello’s two-game stumble hasn’t hurt the Mustangs as much as initially thought as far as the Region II playoff race is concerned, with the Mustangs still battling for a potential home game while sitting in the fifth seed currently. Fluvanna couldn’t turn a momentum-changing victory over Louisa into more against Powhatan, but the Flucos have already proven dangerous on the ground and Monticello’s defense will have to be on its toes. If that unit can take care of business, the offense seems to have finally found some balance and rhythm.
Key matchup: Monticello’s defense takes on Fluvanna’s Dashon Tibbs. The Mustangs have proven susceptible to giving up big yards to quarterbacks like Kent Henry and Rashard Davis as well as Louisa’s Zack Jackson in a win. Tibbs is a similarly dynamic runner and a master of the playfake, making reads for linebackers tough.
Who to watch: Monticello quarterback Jhalil Mosley. Mosley returned to form last week with a three-touchdown, 139-yard performance against Turner Ashby. Look for him to try and keep it going against the Fluvanna secondary.
The line: Monticello by 10. The Mustangs got a chance to get things together last week and should be able to pick up their second Jefferson District win on the road Friday against the Flucos.
Western Albemarle (7-0) at Waynesboro (0-7), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: After a three-game gauntlet (Monticello, Powhatan, Charlottesville), Western steps out of district play to face a winless Little Giants in a game that’s become an annual engagement. The Warriors could be in danger of a letdown game after winning last week’s thriller over Charlottesville, but head coach Ed Redmond has proven adept at keeping his squad focused in his first year at the helm.
Key matchup: Western’s defense takes on Waynesboro’s ground attack. They’re not Charlottesville’s Rashard Davis and Chris Thurston by any means, but Chris Baker and Kahwan Veney can be a dynamic one-two punch on the ground at quarterback and running back for Waynesboro. The tandem rushed for 139 yards before the break against Spotswood last week before the Blazers shut them down in the second half.
Who to watch: Western Albemarle’s Trevor Harlow and Justin Haws. The Warriors’ running backs could become increasingly important as the temperature drops over the next couple of weeks as the Warrior look to expand their options in the ground game beyond Kent Henry who has more than 900 yards on the season.
The line: Western by 21. This edition of the Battle for Afton Mountain shouldn’t tax the Warriors too much.
Goochland (5-2) at Randolph-Henry (0-7), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Bulldogs are nearing the end of the softer stretch of their schedule. In the first three games of this four-game span, Goochland, rated No. 2 in the Eastern Section, has outscored the opposition 126-28, and it shouldn’t change much against winless Randolph-Henry. Last week the Bulldogs put together a 391-yard performance in the ground game last week against Cumberland to keep things rolling along.
Key matchup: Randolph-Henry’s front seven takes on the multi-dimensional ground game of the Bulldogs. Goochland has gotten a slew of ball-carriers involved the last few weeks. Nine players had multiple carries last week with long runs from Connor Saunders and Nathan Mattox highlighting the night. Randolph-Henry will have its hands full.
Who to watch: Goochland’s Mitchell Brice. It doesn’t matter how he gets the ball, either in the passing game or on the ground, Brice is a dynamic playmaker who can break things open. Last week he had a touchdown each way against Cumberland. Look for more of the same against the Statesmen.
The line: Goochland by 21. The Bulldogs stay on track before a huge clash with Buckingham County next week.
George Mason (1-6) at William Monroe (0-7), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: William Monroe is still looking for its first victory of the season and with George Mason coming to town, who’s also near the bottom of the Bull Run, they’re getting a decent shot here. Mason was 0-6 going into last week and beat John Champe 23-0.
Key matchup: Mason’s secondary takes on big-play threat Dakwan Morris. Morris can turn something short—a slant, a swing pass or a hitch—into a big play with skills after the catch. The Mustangs will have their hands full with the Monroe wideout.
Who to watch: William Monroe’s Cody Perkins. Perkins has been solid on the ground while stepping into the starting role as just a sophomore. If the Dragons want to knock off Mason, Perkins will have to put together a big-time performance.
The line: William Monroe by 1. The Dragons best chance get in the win column comes at home on homecoming. We’re thinking there’s some magic in Stanardsville Friday night.
Brooke Point (2-5) at Albemarle (1-6), 7 p.m.
The basics: Albemarle needs to get on track after another three-game losing streak and Brooke Point is vulnerable, coming off its second win of the season a 16-0 slugfest against Massaonpax. If Albemarle can get the offense going against the Black-Hawks, a defense that’s proven itself steady most of the year until a rough 52-point outing against North Stafford last week, should follow suit.
Key matchup: Albemarle’s secondary takes on Brooke Point’s Tyus White. White hauled in nine catches for 196 yards and a touchdown last week against Massaponax. The Patriots’ defensive backs like Drake Bryant will have their hands full.
Who to watch: Albemarle’s Niko Troche. Troche has rushed for 617 yards on the year and is the engine that drives the Albemarle offense. If the Patriots feed him early and often, the offense could find more of a rhythm than it has so far.
The line: Brooke Point by 3. Albemarle has a shot here, but they need to get more out of Troche and the passing game to knock off Brooke Point.
Cumberland (1-6) at Buckingham County (6-1), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Despite the disparity in records and the Knights dominance over the years, this is one of the most heated rivalries in the James River District, regardless of the sport. Cumberland is coming off 48-point beating at the hands of Goochland last week. Buckingham was handed its first defeat of the year thanks to Central Lunenburg. As they get primed for a defacto district championship game coming up against Goochland, the Knights will looking to be hitting on all cylinders to try and bounce back into form.
Key matchup: We can almost copy and paste this each week. The Dukes defensive front against Buckingham’s powerful run game. Lunenberg found a way to slow Kenneth Johnson and Kyree Koonce last week, and if Cumberland wants this to be a game, they’ll have to put together a similar effort. But don’t be surprised if the two big backs and their offensive line come in ready to bounce back in a big way after last week.
Who to watch: Buckingham defensive end Devin Smith. Two weeks ago he had a whale of game against Randolph Henry. Just like the offense, this defense is coming off its worst showing of the year. The easiest way for this unit to rebound is to create chaos in the backfield and Smith knows how to do that.
The line: Buckingham by 20. And just like that, the Knights look like they did in the first six weeks of the year.
Gretna (5-2) at Nelson County (2-5), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Hawks, the defending Group A Division 2 champs, survived a scare last week from Chatham, winning by four. The Governors ran into more than they could handle last week in the top team in the Dogwood District in Altavista. It’s a bit unusual for a Gretna team to have two losses, and four of its five wins have been by seven points or fewer. While taking down the Hawks is a tall task for Nelson, this isn’t the same Gretna team we’ve seen over the last three years, despite their enviable record.
Key matchup: Nelson’s defensive line versus Gretna quarterback Dyon Rosser. The junior has 1,307 yards passing and completes 58% of his attempts, but also has 510 yards on the ground. He’s one of the best dual threat quarterbacks at the Group A level and plays for a team that’s flourished behind that kind of versatility for years whether with former UVA standout Vic Hall a while back or recently with Nick Miller. The Governors have to be disciplined and play contain, but also make sure he doesn’t get too comfortable in the pocket.
Who to watch: Rosser and Nelson quarterback Tyler Vest. It’s a showcase of athleticism at the quarterback position here. While Rosser is the more polished passer, Vest is a more productive runner. If the Governors’ offensive line is on point, fans could be treated to an exciting offensive showing here.
The line: Gretna by 10. The Hawks defense hasn’t been as dominant as years before, but this offense has the ability to adapt and exploit any type of game planning.
Strasburg (8-0) at Madison County (4-3), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The unbeaten Rams come into Madison after topping Manassas Park by just one point last week to stay on top in the Bull Run District. The Mountaineers recovered its loss to Clarke County to cruise past rival William Monroe. This is the biggest challenge of the year so far for Madison and with the way the playoff standings are, the Mountaineers will want to be able to show they can hang with a team like Strasburg.
Key matchup: Madison’s linebacking corps against Strasburg running back Rakwon White. Having Josh Lillard back upfront on the line is a huge bonus for the Mountaineers. But the linebackers have to fill the gaps up front and not only get to White, but find a way to bring him down. That’s easier said than done.
Who to watch: Once again, Mountaineers running back Logan Carpenter. He put together a huge day on the ground against Monroe and Madison needs him to move the chains to keep White and the Strasburg offense on the sidelines. Here’s the interesting thing though, the Rams defense has given up 20 or more points the last three weeks, with two of those opponents being winless in George Mason and William Monroe. The Dragons put up 40 points two weeks ago. Madison could easily turn this game into a shootout, especially if Carpenter piles up the big plays like he has in two of the last three weeks.
The line: Strasburg by 4. Madison’s defense is better than Strasburg’s. The question here is can this Mountaineers offense out race the Rams’. Hard to pick against an unbeaten team here.
Orange County (1-7) at Colonial Forge (6-1), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The Hornets were shutout by Riverbend last week. The Eagles stepped out of Commonwealth District play to go up against Hylton and were handed their first loss of the year. Forge has a 1-game lead atop of the CD standings on North Stafford and with Orange, Maassaponax and Riverbend, they can’t afford a slipup with they hope to earn a regular season title.
Key matchup: The Hornets defensive front takes on Eagles quarterback Damen Daniel. Forge’s defense is problematic enough for Orange, but finding a way to limit Daniel on the other side of the field is even more worrisome. He’s a run first quarterback, but Daniel has a quality receiving corps and can get the ball downfield deep and has great escapability out of the pocket. So not only do the Hornets have to be great in coverage, but the rest of the defense has to keep the edge and make sure Daniel doesn’t make big plays with his legs.
Who to watch: Eagles running back T.C. Burton. He plays second fiddle to Daniel, but the Forge running back can pile up the yardage and extend drives behind this big physical offensive line. With Orange struggling against the run, it could be Burton that puts up the big number on the ground.
The line: The Eagles by 21. Forge stands tall on its home turf.
Kiski School, Pa. (2-3) at Woodberry (4-2), 2 p.m. Saturday
The basics: The Cougars had last week off to recover from its 2-point loss to Boys. The Tigers went on the road last week to beat Landon, always an out of Prep League challenge. Woodberry looks like it’s finally getting healthy and the importance of the return of Doug Randolph to the defense cannot be overstated. The Tigers have some momentum going here as they look to win their third straight contest.
Key matchup: Woodberry’s offensive line versus Kiski’s defensive line. The scouting report on the Cougars is that they are all beef front. For a Woodberry team that likes grind away on the ground, the line needs to create holes, whether for quarterback Hunter Ethridge or running back Christian Asher. On paper, this should be a defensive battle, so if the Tigers get going on offense, they’ll be in good shape because few if any teams have won more low scoring games the last five years than Woodberry.
Who to watch: Randolph. He’s a game changer on defense, whether he’s lined up with his hand down or playing more of a linebacker position. Having him back helps out teammate and fellow Notre Dame commit Greer Martini and gives this defense a two-headed monster that can pressure on the edge and up the middle. That’s what’s this team’s had in years past and killed the opposition. It looks like the Tigers finally have their 2012 version of that back together now.
The line: Woodberry by 6. The lone similar opponent? Blair Academy. While the Tigers had a miraculous comeback to beat the Bucs, the Cougars took it on the chin.
Virginia Episcopal (5-1) at Blue Ridge (5-1), 2 p.m. Saturday
The basics: Blue Ridge’s rating took a significant hit with a loss to Christchurch, bumping the Barons from first to fourth in Division 2. But the loss to the defending state champions on the road isn’t a bad one by any means. Bouncing back against Division III VES, however, will be critical. The Barons need to get a little more offensive production going and the passing game in particular needs to pick up the pace and keep defenses from loading up against the run. But the Barons are coming off a short week after playing Christchurch Tuesday and VES, the No. 1-ranked team in Division 3, won’t go away easily up in St. George.
Key matchup: Blue Ridge’s stellar front seven goes toe-to-toe with VES running back Ronnie Stringfield. Stringfield piled up 94 yards against Covenant last week and showed off some short-yardage ability by converting a trio of two-point conversions on tough runs. The Barons will have to clamp down on the running threat to keep the Bishops out of rhythm. Mujahid Fricke, Jared Arntzen, Julian Edelman and Ryan Etheridge will need to play big-time football.
Who to watch: Blue Ridge’s Chase Fraser. The lacrosse standount emerged as a threat in the passing game last week with three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown against Christchurch. If Fraser can provide another threat through the air along with P.J. White and Leon Straus, the Barons will become a more dangerous team on offense.
The line: Blue Ridge by 3. The Barons should pick up a big win here during Parent’s Weekend.
