Western Albemarle (9-0, 6-0) at Goochland (8-1, 5-1) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: The game for all the marbles is on out at Goochland. The Bulldogs have one loss, in their district opener to Charlottesville. Western is still sporting an unbeaten mark. It’ll be a study in contrasts, with Goochland’s methodical Wing-T butting heads with Western’s wideopen spread attack. Several of the Jefferson’s top offensive weapons will be in the mix including Dom Losco and Stephen Schuler for Western and Dustin Plummer for Goochland. Expect fireworks in both teams’ regular season finale.
Key matchup: Goochland’s secondary takes on Western’s deep wideout corps. The Bulldogs’ defensive backs like versatile B.J. Clark will have to step up for Goochland to have a chance at slowing down Western. The Warriors can strike quickly from any spot on the field, and if they get in a groove and pick up an early lead they might be in control — Goochland isn’t built to rally from behind.
Who to watch: Western Albemarle’s Mitchell Parks. Parks might be the ideal style of linebacker against Goochland’s vaunted Wing-T because he anticipates where the ball is headed on nearly every play and is rarely fooled by misdirection. If Parks can disrupt the backfield, Western could shake up the Bulldogs early.
SP’s line: Western by 3.5. The Warriors seem to have too much firepower for Goochland.
St. Anne’s-Belfield at Blue Ridge School 2 p.m.
The Basics: In the past three years it’s been Blue Ridge that’s been the underdog in this game. With the Barons wrapping up the number one seed in the playoffs, the shoe is on the other foot. St. Anne’s is still in the playoff hunt, but expect Blue Ridge to do their best to help spoil their bitter rival’s season.
Correction: St. Anne’s was moved from Division 2 to Division 1 this year and were eliminated from playoff contention. Scrimmage Play apologizes for the misunderstanding.
Key Matchup: STAB’s defensive lineman like Garrett Scarborough versus K.C. Camp and the Blue Ridge offensive line. In order for the Saints to slow the Barons’ high octane offense their going to have to get in the backfield and create problems. That’s no small feat against the big Blue Ridge linemen.
Who to Watch: Blue Ridge wideout AJ Williams. When the Blue Ridge receiver hauls in a pass he doesn’t have any trouble finding the endzone, often making it look easy in the process.
SP’s line: Barons get back at STAB for several straight heartbreaking losses. Blue Ridge by 3.5
Christchurch (2-5) at Covenant School (3-6) 2:30 p.m.
The Basics: St. Anne’s-Belfield took it to Christchurch last week, now Covenant gets a chance to do much of the same at home against the Seahorses.
Key matchup: Christchurch’s secondary takes on Lee Coppock. Coppock has thrown for almost 2,000 yards. If the Seahorses can’t clamp down on Coppock, they could be in for a tough night.
Who to watch: Covenant’s Jesse Getchel. The versatile athlete had an interception against St. Anne’s-Belfield, and he’s becoming a better option for Covenant in every outing.
SP’s line: Covenant by 3.5 Homefield advantage is a big factor for the Eagles.
Woodberry Forest at Norfolk Academy 4 p.m.
The basics: Woodberry spends the last two games of their season on the road. The Tigers are banged up after going through the meat of their difficult schedule. Woodberry should be able to take it easy with the Bulldogs and get healthy for archrival Episcopal in the following week.
Key Matchup: Woodberry’s front seven against Norfolk running back Miguel Turner. If the Tigers can take care of Turner, it should be smooth sailing.
Who to Watch: Tigers running back Ed Reynolds. Reynolds has been stacking up 150-plus yard games like it’s no big deal. Does he have another in him?
SP’s line: Tigers take care of business. Woodberry by 9.5
Brooke Point (5-4) at Albemarle (0-9) 7 p.m.
The basics: Still looking for win number one, Albemarle goes toe-to-toe with the Commonwealth District’s three time defending champs. The good news for the Patriots is that the Black Hawks have lost three of their last four games. The bad news for Albemarle is that Brooke Point still has an outside chance of making the playoffs if they can win.
Key Matchup: Albemarle’s secondary versus Brooke Point’s E.L. Smiling. The future Hokie is a big target and has speed on top of it. Keeping the Black Hawks from scoring on big plays starts with stopping Smiling.
Who to Watch: Albemarle quarterback Andrew Frazier. Win or lose, a good performance from Frazier would lift the spirits of the Patriots as they look to continue rebuilding.
SP’s line: A tough year comes to end for the Pats. Brooke Point by 7.
William Campbell (3-5) at Nelson County (1-7) 7 p.m.
The basics: Nelson missed a big chance for a victory over Chatham last week, falling to the previously unbeaten Cavaliers 28-22. Now the Governors have to bounce back against a William Campbell squad that hasn’t been invincible this year like they have in the past.
Key matchup: Campbell’s dual threat quarterback BeBe Adams against Nelson’s front seven. The Governors’ defense will have to contain Adams to have a shot at knocking off Campbell.
Who to watch: As usual, it’s got to be Nelson County’s Trey Barnett. The dynamic playmaker has to be catalyst for the Governors — he had an 85-yard kick return two weeks ago against Appomattox.
SP’s line: William Campbell by 7.5.
Amelia County (2-6) at Buckingham County (8-0) 7 p.m.
The basics: Buckingham is still unbeaten, and their next two opponents shouldn’t give them a ton of problems.
Key matchup: Amelia’s running backs against the Knights’ fleet of linebackers. If Buckingham flies to the ball, Amelia might be in for a long weekend.
Who to watch: Buckingham’s Maurice Taylor. How will the dynamic back perform after the Knights’ bye week?
SP’s line: Buckingham by 14.5. The Knights keep it rolling.
Fluvanna County (3-6, 2-4) at Louisa County (6-3, 4-2) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: It appears to be win and in for Louisa in the playoff picture, but the Lions will have to squeak by a Fluvanna team that’s made great improvements over the course of the season under first-year coach Rodney Redd. If the Fluvanna team that ran the ball well and put away Charlottesville shows up, Louisa might be in for a tough road to the Region II playoffs
Key matchup: The Flucos’ defensive front takes on Louisa’s running attack. Fluvanna needs to stop the run to have a chance.
Who to watch: Fluvanna’s Ryan Foster. Does he have one trick left in his bag for what’ll be the end of an interesting career as the Flucos’ signal-caller?
SP’s line: Louisa by 7.5. Playing at home gives the Lions a boost to the playoffs.
Madison County at Manassas Park 7:30 p.m.
The basics: A Madison victory over Manassas Park would set up an outstanding game against Clarke County in the last week of the year featuring two unbeaten teams. Wins have been hard to come by for the Cougars and competing against the Mountaineers requires solid play in all three facets of the game – offense, defense and special teams.
Key Matchup: Madison’s offensive line against Manassas Park’s front four. Cougar defensive tackle Bobby Jackson earned All-Region B honors last year for a reason. The Mountaineers like to run downhill and chewing up Jackson will make that job easier.
Who to Watch: Madison running back Ralph Yates. The young runner played great in the absence of Logan Terrell and Devon Boone last week. It never hurts to find out you’ve got another playmaker up your sleeve.
SP’s line: The big match up next with Clarke should retain all its luster. Madison by 6.5.
William Monroe (0-9, 0-6) at Monticello (3-6, 2-4) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: For the first time in a while, Monticello’s last game of the year will be in the first week of November. It will also be the last chance for William Monroe to earn a victory on the year. While Monticello isn’t the team they were in the previous two seasons, they can still pack a punch.
Key Matchup: Mustangs running back CJ Page versus the entire Greene Dragon defense. Everyone knows he’s coming but few have been able to stop Page. Expect Monticello to let their senior enjoy a healthy workload and if Monroe wants to pick up the first win of the year it’s going to have to involve bottling up Page.
Who to Watch: Monticello Aaron DiGregorio has opened up holes for Page all year round as well as moving the ball himself when his number gets called.
SP’s line: Size mismatches in this game. Monticello by 6.5.
Charlottesville (3-6, 2-4) at Orange County (4-4, 3-3) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Two teams that boast great skill position players that would greatly enjoy ending their seasons on the right foot. Charlottesville has started games out strongly in the first half but haven’t been able to finish teams off. The Hornets can empathize after last week, going up by two scores on Western only to watch the Warriors surge back for the victory.
Key Matchup: The Black Knights’ Xavier Porter against Orange’s Amir Waller. These two see time on both sides of the ball and could wind up facing each other for much of the night. The winner of this matchup could well determine the winner of the game.
Who to Watch: Charlottesville’s Raymond Parker. The senior running back has shown that he can make big plays and the Black Knights will need him to help Porter and Alex Thurston if they want to keep pace with Orange’s Dominique Walker, Tyler Seal and Waller.
SP’s line: Hornets end season on a bright note. Orange by 2.5.
Fork Union Military Academy at Valley Forge Military (Pa.) 1 p.m.
The basics: If FUMA wins, FUMA is in. The Blue Devils need a win here to secure a playoff game. Odds are good they’ll get it done.
Key matchup: Valley Forge’s linebackers take on FUMA’s run-oriented attack. Is VFM ready for a grueling day of Russell Bodine and Mark Shuman paving the way.
Who to watch: Fork Union’s Andre Parker. Can he continue to carry the load for FUMA at running back?
SP’s line: FUMA by 8.5. The Blue Devils know what’s on the line.
