An in-depth look at Saturday’s private school games will be posted Saturday morning.
Clarke County (9-0) at Madison County (9-0) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Battle of the unbeatens. The defacto Bull Run District championship game. Two teams that had this game circled on their calenders well before the season began. Clarke has surrendered just four touchdowns all year long and never more than one in a game. Madison County averages 37 points per contest. Something’s got to give between these two big rivals.
Key Matchup: The Madison linebacking corps versus Clarke running back Sam Shiley. The Mountaineer backers have to keep Shiley and the Eagle wing-t offense from going on long time chewing drives. That means assignment football.
Who to Watch: Madison quarterback Dustin Kirby. There isn’t any question that the Eagles are going to stack the box against the Mountaineers talented running game. It’ll be up to Kirby to work the ball to tight end Dylan Shifflette and wide out Antonio Childress to make sure that Madison maintains the balance that has made them so successful this year.
SP’s line: Madison by .5. We’ll side with the home team and their rabid fans because Madison’s played in close games this year and has shown an ability to respond to adversity. Clarke has yet to be challenged.
Division 3, Region II quarterfinals: Skyline (6-4) at Western Albemarle (9-1) 1 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: Western’s got what it wants—a playoff spot and a chance to make a run with homefield advantage in the first round. But can the Warriors bounce back from last week’s loss to Goochland, where they got shutout for the first time all season, where the Bulldogs derailed an offense that hadn’t been held under 20 points all year? That’s the task that faces the Warriors against a Skyline team that’s been battle-tested in a tough district.
Key matchup: Western’s front seven takes on senior Skyline running back Cliff Woodard. Woodard has piled up 1,434 yards and 13 touchdowns this year. Except for and 80-yard run by Willie Ezell, Western kept the Goochland ground game from launching a ton of huge plays and they’ve shut down the run for a big portion of this season. Mitchell Parks will have to be all over Woodard in this one.
Who to watch: Western’s Stephen Schuler. Can he get back into a rhythm after struggling against Goochland? Schuler’s track record says he will. The heady senior is a natural leader adept at taking what a defense gives him.
SP’s line: Western Albemarle by 3.5. Homefield will be too much for Skyline to overcome.
Division 4, Region II quarterfinals: Louisa (7-3) at Liberty (Bealeton) (7-3) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Louisa’s postseason really started last week—the Lions would have needed a ton of help to get in the playoffs with a loss to Fluvanna, but Louisa took care of business, winning 35-0. Their reward is a trip to Liberty. If Louisa can keep its ground game going against Liberty they’ll have a shot.
Key matchup: Louisa is built for cold weathe, and Liberty’s front seven will have to be up the task. Mark Fischer is sure to put the ball in the hands of his talented backs and lean on the Louisa defense.
Who to watch: Anthony Hunter and Andre Mealey. The tandem combined for five scores against Fluvanna and they’ll have to be ready from the start against a Liberty team that has beaten or stayed close with a couple of playoff squads.
SP’s line: Louisa by .5. Lions can get the win on the road because of a determined, resilient senior class.
Division 3, Region II quarterfinal: Millbrook (5-5) vs. Goochland (9-1) at Monticello 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Millbrook has as many wins as they do losses, but the play old fashioned football. Goochland has just one loss on the year and took down a giant last week in Western Albemarle, shutting out the Warriors. In many ways the Bulldogs are the Cinderella story of the Jefferson District having made the jump to Group AA this year.
Key Matchup: The Bulldogs front four versus the Pioneers offensive line. Millbrook hasn’t been able to come by points easily this year. If Goochland can get in the backfield and stop running back Jordan Hartman it’s going to be a long night for Millbrook.
Who to Watch: Goochland’s Willie Ezell. The Bulldogs running back/linebacker had a huge game against Western last week on both sides of the field. If he gets going in the ground game it’s icing on the cake for Goochland as their other talented running back, Dustin Plummer doesn’t have any trouble moving the chains.
SP’s line: Goochland by 2.5. Millbrook has lost their last three games. The Bulldogs have won their last six and last week’s performance was no fluke.
Buckingham County (9-0) at Lunenburg (Central) (6-2) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: The undefeated Knights get their last challenge of the year before the postseason begins for them next week with a road game against a two-loss team. The Knights survived a scare last week and it never hurts to be tested late in the season. Expect Buckingham to do things as they have all year, leaning on their defense and a strong rushing attack. But beware a Central squad is hoping to make some noise.
Key Matchup: The Chargers front seven versus Knights running back Maurice Taylor. Taylor is the heart and soul of the Buckingham offense and is the area’s best when it comes to finding the endzone.
Who to Watch: Buckingham quarterback Tarian Ayers. From here on out the Knights will only see top tier competition and their going to need their signal caller to help alleviate the pressure on Taylor as defensive coordinators will key in on the back.
SP’s line: Buckingham by 2.5. The Knight run the table to complete an amazing regular season.
Nelson County (2-7) at Altavista (8-1) 7 p.m.
The Basics: Nelson will try and keep the momentum it built by beating William Campbell for its second victory of the season last week, but it won’t be easy. Altavista has put together an impressive resurgence this season after a 5-5 record in 2008. The Colonels also have a lot to play for—they can win a portion of the Dogwood crown with a victory, their first since 1971 according to the Altavista Journal.
Key matchup: Nelson’s offensive line takes on a sack-happy Altavista defensive front. The Colonels locked up William Campbell two weeks ago with solid defensive pressure—Nelson will have to block better than William Campbell did.
Who to watch: As usual it’s Trey Barnett. Barnett went for 166 yards against William Campbell, making good on the promise he showed back in the preseason. He’ll have to be big-time if Nelson wants to top Altavista.
SP’s line: Altavista by 3.5. Colonels have too much on the line.
