Liberty Christian (6-0) at Fork Union (2-3) 3:30 p.m.
The Basics: It’s likely that a lot of teams are looking at Fork Union’s record and not accounting who those three losses came against. Last week St. Christopher’s, the second ranked team in the VISAA Division 1 standings, learned that lesson the hard way. The Blue Devils’ rushing duo of Andre Parker and Richard Dyer got the job done while the Fork Union defense also got in on the action, scoring the game’s first points on a 33-yard pick to the house from Zac Williams. Now with an undefeated Bulldog squad coming into town, the Blue Devils will need another well-balanced game.
Key matchup: Fork Union’s secondary versus LCA’s receiving corps. The Bulldogs are getting the job done in the air this year, completing more than 50 percent of their passes with Lucas Smissen, Ray Jones and Demitri Knowles spreading the field. It’ll be up to Dyer, Cameron Grice and the rest of the secondary to keep those three wide outs in check.
Player to watch for: Fork Union’s John Tu’uta. If the Bulldogs are going to get quarterback Seth Good firing with success to his receivers, someone’s going to have to block the Blue Devils’ 270-pound captain and defensive lineman.
Line: Fork Union by 1. The Blue Devils pull the upset here. The Bulldogs haven’t been through the ringer in the same way FUMA has.
Woodberry (4-1) at Landon (4-1) 4 p.m.
The Basics: The Tigers have to be feeling good right now. Woodberry pounded Fork Union, then exploded in the second half against Collegiate for another huge victory. In both instances the Tigers shut down the opposing offense with lockdown defense. Now they’ll continue their tough schedule with a trip to Maryland to take on Landon—the only school that managed to beat last year’s edition of the Tigers, in a 28-21 battle in overtime. Interestingly, both schools’ lone loss this season came at the hands of McDonogh.
Key matchup: Woodberry’s front four takes on Landon’s dual threat quarterback John Lynn. The Landon quarterback threw for 95 yards and ran for 141 against Episcopal last week in a big win for the Bears.
Player to watch: Woodberry’s Hunter Faulconer. The small but elusive tailback gave the Tigers’ offense a different dimension last week against Collegiate. Can he do the same against a talented Landon squad on the road?
Line: Woodberry by 7. The Tigers have picked up steam and appear to be back to form from 2008 and 2009 where the squad went a combined 16-2.
STAB (6-0) at Collegiate (3-2) 4 p.m.
The Basics: St. Anne’s is rolling right now and the Saints are one of only three unbeaten squads left in the Central Virginia landscape. If the Saints — ranked No.1 in Division II — can find a way to win on the road here, they’ll continue to boost a resume that’s already, even early in the season, an impressive one. Look for a heavy dose of Branford Rogers in the run game and aggressive defense from the Saints.
Key matchup: STAB’s secondary takes on Collegiate quarterback Wilton Speight. The Cougars’ signal-caller is the kind of tall, strong-armed passer Collegiate loves (see now-UVa player Jake McGee), but the St. Anne’s secondary has made great strides in the past few weeks with Fernando Gaston, Andrew Crockett, Dylan Park and Pierce Woodsmall starting to gel behind the Saints’ dynamic linebacking corps.
Player to watch: STAB’s Jordan Davis. Each week a new defensive lineman seems to come up with a lot of big plays for the Saints, and Davis might be in line. He iced Boys Latin last week with a combo sack with Antoine Curry late in the fourth quarter.
Line: Push. Matchups in this game have regularly given the Saints trouble, but don’t count out STAB right now in any battle. The Saints are finding ways to win every single week.
Albemarle at Massaponax 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: This is another winnable game in the Commonwealth for the Patriots who ended a double-digit game drought in the District last week against Riverbend. Massaponax fell 34-27 to Brooke Point last week, rallying late before a fourth quarter touchdown finished off the Panthers. Expect battle on the road.
Key matchup: The Patriots’ ground game takes on Riverbend’s front seven. Albemarle lived through the air last week, but Riverbend’s defense is susceptible to the run. Look for AHS running back Joe Anderson to get a number of early carries. He managed 83 yards on 12 carries last Friday.
Player to watch: Albemarle’s Tory Key. Key’s two long touchdown catches last week against Riverbend were big difference makers in the narrow win over the Bears. Can Key put together a couple of more big plays tonight?
Line: Massaponax by 3. Home field gives the Panthers the edge.
Buckingham County (6-0) at Cumberland (1-5) 7 p.m.
The Basics: The Knights fight to defend their James River District title begins on the road against rival Cumberland. Buckingham is coming off a bye week after gutting out another tough win against Manassas Park the week before. The Dukes dropped their fourth straight game, this one a shutout last week at home against Clarke County. Since beating Prince Edward in week two, Cumberland has surrendered an average of 47 points per game.
Key matchup: The Dukes’ outside linebackers versus Knights’ running back Maurice Taylor. Cumberland’s defense has been shredded lately, and unless it can keep Taylor bottled up in the middle of the field, it’s going to be another long night.
Player to watch for: Buckingham quarterback Tarian Ayers. With Taylor likely to put up major numbers on the ground, it’ll be interesting to see what Ayers decides to do with the ball when he gets a chance to throw down field. Cam Johnson and Antonn Briley have shown they can be big play receivers. Will Ayers get others like Caleb White involved as well?
Line: Buckingham by 14. It’s hard to believe that the Knights might be able to match last year’s regular season, but they’re doing it right now.
Dan River (3-3) at Nelson (0-5) 7 p.m.
The Basics: The Governors are happy to be back home after a trip to perennial Group A Division 2 title contender Gretna. Just like last season, it’s been a real rough start for Nelson, and you don’t have to stare at the schedule very long to understand why. Three of the Governors five first opponents (Buckingham, Madison County and Gretna) have a combined record of 14-2. Last week the Wildcats fell just short to the Group A Division 1 champs in Altavista in overtime. While Nelson has been on the wrong end of one shoot out after another, Dan River has played in six straight one-possesion games, winning three games by average of five points and losing three by an average of just under six points.
Key matchup: Nelson’s pass rush against Dan River quarterback Preston Fuller. Since week one, the key for Nelson to win any of its games has been on defense. That said, last week the Wildcats’ offense stalled when Altavista took the QB out of the game. If the Governors can get to Fuller, they should be able to keep Dan River in check.
Player to watch for: James Saunders. The Nelson quarterback was 6 for 9 passing last week, but two of those passes went for touchdowns, 36-yard and 29-yard strikes to Trevor Martin. Each week Martin has shown he can spread the field. If Saunders can find him earlier that should make running back Rodrell Smith’s life much easier in the backfield.
Line: Wildcats by 3. Dan River sours Nelson’s chance to get win number one.
Western Albemarle (2-4) at Monticello (3-2) 7:30 p.m. Radio: WINA
The Basics: The Warriors picked up their first Jefferson District win of the year against Charlottesville last week. And while Western was cruising at home, Monticello was in an instant classic on the road against Goochland, winning the game in the last minute thanks to a 2-point conversion from quarterback Jhalil Mosley. The Mustangs had trailed by 21 points in the third quarter and rode a monster game from running back Jesse Ayres to rally back for a thrilling victory. The Warriors haven’t faired well against teams that are run heavy, but the Mustangs have to be careful not to overlook their opponent.
Key matchup: Western Albemarle linebacker Mitchell Parks versus Monticello fullback Isaac Robinson. A tackling machine, Parks was back from injury last week and looked sharp. Ayres has had a field day all year running the ball thanks in large part to Robinson who consistently delivers key blocks up the field. If Parks can get to Ayres before getting entangled with Robinson, the Warriors can slow Monticello’s impressive rushing attack. If not, Ayres could put together another 200-yard plus performance.
Player to watch for: Mosley. The sophomore quarterback threw an interception early against Goochland, but after that he was able to come up with big plays in the air and on the ground whenever his team needed. Western’s secondary is young and Mosley has a chance to show that he’s able to play beyond his years.
Line: Monticello by 7. Even in the loss to Orange, the Mustangs have shown they have a lot of talent and are a top tier team in the JD.
Louisa County (5-0) at Charlottesville (0-5) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: After facing some problems early on, which has been a bit of a theme this year, the Lions picked up a huge road win against archrival Orange County. The Lions blew up in the fourth quarter and, as such, now hold sole possession of first place in the Jefferson District. The Black Knights are coming off another lopsided loss, although some of Charlottesville’s young talent is showing great promise, in particular running back Chris Thurston.
Key matchup: Charlottesville’s defensive line versus Louisa running back Anthony Hunter. If the Black Knights can’t get a body on Hunter at the line of scrimmage, the Lions’ senior is going to have another high-yardage, low-attempt game. In the first five weeks Hunter has ripped off at least one 50-yard plus run per game as he runs over or past just about everyone when he gets to the next level.
Player to watch for: Lions running back Rayshawn Jackson. With Andre Mealy out because of an elbow injury, Jackson has stepped up as the Louisa running back that moves the chains. Against a reeling Charlottesville defense, Jackson should get plenty of chances to make it a case of dueling banjos with Hunter.
Line: Louisa by 24. Lions have too much on offense, just as much on defense.
Orange County (3-3) at William Monroe (3-3) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Orange left for three quarters against powerful Louisa County last week before the Lions ripped off 22 fourth quarter points to take control and put Orange away. The Hornets will have to shake off that loss quick, because Monroe’s physical run game is going to challenge an Orange defense that has been suspect at times this season. One of the biggest differences between Monroe this seasons and last year’s Dragons is the squad’s mental toughness. The players should be motivated after last week’s narrow loss and excited about a county border war against the Hornets—the Dragons will be ready.
Key matchup: Orange’s Eddie Ellington and Terry Mack take on Monroe tight end Zach Duprey. The Hornets’ top two linebackers will have their hands full with Duprey, who has emerged as one of the best tight ends in the Jefferson District and one of the few go-to ends in the passing game in Central Virginia.
Player to watch: Orange’s Cameron Hughes. The Dragons have faced some tough quarterbacks — Eastern View’s Simon Pendleton and Louisa’s Kire Worley come to mind — but Hughes might be the best passer of that group. The Monroe secondary will have to be better against Hughes and the Hornets’ passing attack than they were against either Pendleton or Worley.
Line: Orange by 7. The Hornets bounce back after last week’s loss to Louisa with a road win over the Dragons—but Monroe will hang around so they’ll have to get it done late.
Fluvanna County (3-3) at Goochland (3-3) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: This has to be one of the most heartbreaking two-week stretches in Goochland football history. Twice the Bulldogs have lost in last second fashion, once to Orange in triple overtime and then again last week against Monticello in another second half rally. If the Bulldogs put together two halves of solid play, they’re as good as just about anyone in the area, but they need to find that fast. Fluvanna, on the other hand, is riding high after picking up a second Jefferson District victory, this time on the road in a barnburner against William Monroe. Expect the Flucos to come in to Goochland fired up and confident.
Key matchup: Goochland’s linebackers take on Fluvanna’s mobile quarterback, YaYa Anderson. With the regular starter T.J. Dudley limited with a hand injury, Anderson took over and led the Flucos to a win over the Dragons. He’ll give Clore fits, but the Bulldogs’ leading tackler, linebacker Jess Mclaughlin should be up to the task.
Player to watch: Goochland running back Dustin Plummer. Plummer gets better every time out after returning from a preseason back injury. His speed on the edge will give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares for the rest of the season.
Line: Goochland by 3. Fluvanna won’t be an easy out, but Goochland has been playing too well in the last two week’s losses to get nipped again at home.
Blue Ridge at Christchurch (4-1) 1 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: The Barons found a terrific rhythm in the run game against Covenant and Flint Hill, then got into a groove in the passing game against St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes in addition to rushing for more than 150 yards last week. They’ll need that same balance going forward, with quarterback Andre Roberts keeping defenses honest against Mayn Francisco and the run game.
Key matchup: Christchurch’s front seven takes on the Barons run game. The Daily Press in Newport News reported that Jeff Williams, a star middle linebacker out of Danville for the Seahorses suffered a serious knee injury in late September. If he’s not in the lineup—he’s drawing interest from Virginia Tech—the Barons’ rushing attack should have a big advantage.
Player to watch: Blue Ridge’s Cory Takahara. We’ll surely see even more from this Canadian import during lacrosse, but the short defensive back has been a ball magnet this year, coming up with another interception last week against St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes.
Line: Blue Ridge by 3. Expect the Barons to go back to attacking largely on the ground this week.
Covenant (1-5) at Virginia Episcopal (3-3) 2 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: With some adjustments on defense including moving Sam Patterson to the secondary, the Eagles picked up a long awaited victory at home against Hargrave Military Academy. The Eagles forced turnovers, turned them into points and watched Patterson, Jesse Getchel and Chris Shifflett all put together big time plays. On the road against a tough VES team, Covenant needs to make use of the two extra days off they had and replicate last week’s performance to avoid taking a step back.
Key matchup: Covenant’s new-look secondary versus Bishops’ quarterback Daniel Alexander. VES hasn’t had a lot of success on the ground, which is good news for the Eagles as that’s been their Achilles’ heel. So while it’s still important to keep an eye on the ground game, if Getchel and Patterson can keep an eye on where Alexander is going with the ball and come away with the kind of interceptions they had last week, the Eagles will have a big step up.
Player to watch for: Eagles lineman Alex Payne. The team leader in tackles, Payne led the way against stopping the run last week against Hargrave, finishing with 13 tackles, six of which he came up with on his own.
Line: VES by 1. Covenant’s better than their record reflects and looked like they had turned the page in week six, but the Bishops pull it out at home.
