Region II, Division 3 quarterfinals: No. 7 Charlottesville (4-6) at No. 2 Western Albemarle (9-1), 7:30 p.m., Friday
The basics: Here we go again. Just a few short weeks after a 50-49 barnburner between Western and Charlottesville that essentially gave Western the Jefferson District regular season title, they’re back at it in Crozet again. Losses by both squads in the final week of the regular season set up a rematch in the Region II bracket. We’ve got junior offensive superstars on both rosters in CHS’s Chris Thurston and Western’s Kent Henry. Henry is well over 3,000 yards of total offense while Thurston has been on a roll of late. He piled up 1,113 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season and his power run style should be a perfect fit for the current cold weather snap. This one has the potential to be yet another classic in a similar vein with Monticello and Western’s two classics back in 2011.
Key matchup: Charlottesville’s front seven tries to put the clamps on Henry. While Henry is extraordinarily dangerous through the air — he threw for nearly 300 yards against Louisa last week — he’s also the focal point on the ground game. Henry can gash defenses up the middle or as rollouts or bootlegs break down. Charlottesville’s leading tackler, linebacker Larry Anderson, just earned a first team All-JD nod after a 77-tackle regular season. Throw in encouraging performances from the defensive line, including sophomore Troy Hughes, and the Black Knights have some of the tools to get the job done against Henry. But so far, he’s found a way to keep the Western offense on the move no matter what the opposition has thrown at the Warriors.
Who to watch: Charlottesville’s Rashard Davis. He was our player to watch last time they locked up and he didn’t disappoint. In the first clash he rushed for more than 300 yards in one of the area’s top individual performances in the ground game on the year. While Thurston is the engine that powers the Charlottesville offense, Davis’ work on the edge against Western nearly did the Warriors in. He’s a matchup nightmare in the open field because of his combination of speed and quickness. Expect the Warriors’ new game plan to include a focus on containing Davis.
The line: Western by 1. This one is a toss-up just like the last one was, but the Warriors get the edge with home field advantage. Just kick back and enjoy what has the potential to be another classic.
Group A, Division 2 East Section first round: No. 15 Windsor (3-7) at No. 2 Goochland (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday
The basics: Goochland stayed on track last week with a 49-27 victory over Amelia to close out another unbeaten run through the James River District. The Bulldogs have quietly put together a tremendous regular season and with the program’s extensive experience in the playoffs, expect a business-like atmosphere with Windsor coming to town. Windsor’s three victories came against opponents with a total of five victories between them. This one, at least on paper, is a mismatch.
Key matchup: Windsor goes toe-to-toe with the versatile Goochland ground game. If you try and shut down one player, the Bulldogs will turn to another. It’s that simple when you’re trying to bottle up a team with five rushers at 299 yards or better, four of them over the 400-yard mark. The biggest problem? Shutting down that first guy is awfully tough too.
Who to watch: Goochland’s Mason Engel. Engel has five interceptions on the season, continually providing the Bulldogs a rock in the secondary. As a team, Goochland has 12 picks on the year—Jordan Jefferson has three, Nathan Mattox two—so if Windsor wants to throw, they better be aware of where the Bulldogs’ ballhawks are.
The line: Goochland by 21. The Bulldogs should roll in this one.
No. 3 Benedictine (7-3) vs. No. 2 Fork Union (9-2) at Fluvanna County, 7 pm., Friday
The basics: Benedictine struggled last week against the top-ranked team in the state, Liberty Christian. Fork Union picked up arguably its biggest win since its 2010 state championship by taking down archrival Woodberry Forest in convincing fashion. This is a rematch just two weeks removed from the regular season meeting where the Blue Devils pulled away from the Cadets in a high scoring, 39-30 affair. It was a big game for both starting quarterbacks, FUMA’s Christian Harper and Benedictine’s Bryce Hamilton. This was the only game that the Fork Union defense did not register a sack, so it will be interesting to see how the Blue Devils change up their pass rush, because it’s given teams fits all year.
Key matchup: Benedictine’s secondary against Chrystian Brown and Austin Stone. These two members of the FUMA receiving corps are coming off arguably their two best performances of the year – two weeks ago against this very team and last week against an always gifted Woodberry Forest defense. Hackenberg and his receivers have a real connection with Brown serving as a constant deep threat and Stone making challenging catches over the middle that have been crucial in the redzone. With the rhythm that Hackenberg’s established to end October and begin November, the Cadets should expect FUMA to go for the jugular whenever they can.
Who to watch: FUMA safety Malcolm Cook. The leader of this defense, there’s no question he’ll be looking for his unit to have a better showing against the Cadets. His play as a centerfielder against the pass will be crucial in keeping wide outs like Amani Williams bracketed and minimalized. Cook has eight interceptions and 13 passes defended coming into this game. But if Benedictine running back Corey Downey gets rolling, Cook will have to step up in the tackling game, something he’s no stranger to as he’s second on the team in tackles at 7.6 per game.
The line: Fork Union by 7. The Blue Devils are hardly on the road for this one, and if a far calmer state of mind than the Cadets.
No. 8 Powhatan (5-4) at No. 1 Briar Woods (10-0), 7 p.m. Friday
The basics: The Indians picked up a big win and did something few Jefferson District teams could this year, slow down Charlottesville’s offense. Had Powhatan dropped their home finale with the Black Knights, this would be Louisa County sitting in the eighth spot, so the Indians deserve a lot of credit for keeping their seemingly endless streak of playoff appearances intact. The top seed in Region II and a perennial state champion contender, the Falcons trounced Loudoun County 45-0, putting together its third straight shutout and its eighth straight game of at least 35-points scored.
Key matchup: Powhatan’s running game against Briar Woods’ front seven. 62 points, that’s all that the Falcons have given up all season and 29 of them came in the first two weeks. To have a chance against this team, the Indians have to keep this Falcon’s offense off the field, although the argument could be made that this defense is every bit as threatening. Nonetheless, getting a quality showing from this offensive line and good 1-2 punch of Norris Goode and L.J. Jackson. With a freshman at quarterback in Joe Lewis, it’s too much to ask the passing game to lead the effort here and coach Jim Woodson’s a fan of between-the-tackle running anyway.
The line: Briar Woods by 20. The Falcons have beaten nine of their 10 opponents by 28 or more points and their last three by a combined score of 144-0. This is the unfortunate part of lining up in the eighth and final spot for Powhatan, but impressive nonetheless that they were able to rebound and get here.
Region II, Division 3 quarterfinals: No. 6 Fauquier (7-3) at No. 3 Monticello (8-2), 7:30 p.m., Friday
The basics: Monticello is rolling right now, smashing a good Liberty team 33-14 last week and a Division 4 playoff qualifier in Powhatan 42-13 the week before. The Mustangs have as much momentum as anyone on their side and have clearly overcome the midseason lull that created a pair of frustrating losses to Western Albemarle and Charlottesville. Bottom line? The Mustangs are playing like many thought they could during fall camp. While Monticello is one of the hottest teams coming into the postseason, Fauquier comes stumbling into the playoffs after a rivalry loss to Division 4 playoff squad Liberty Bealeton (who knocked Monticello out in the Region semifinals in 2011). Still, the connection between senior quarterback Colin Diehl (1,540 yards and 12 TDs) and classmate Wes Olinger (388 yards and five touchdowns) is undeniable and will test Monticello’s secondary. The Mustangs counter with Denzel Terry and James Banks who’ve combined for seven interceptions this season.
Key matchup: Fauquier’s defense takes on Monticello’s productive offense. Throw out last week’s 42-28 loss to Liberty Bealeton and Fauquier appears to be a pretty solid defensive team, surrendering an average of 12 points per game in their other nine contests. With a trio of first team All-Evergreen honorees leading the way on that side of the ball including leading tackler Hunter Ball (80 total stops at linebacker), the Falcons are stout. But contending with another stellar back like T.J. Tillery this week just a few days after surrendering 281 yards to Aristotle Howard last week might be a challenge for Fauquier.
Who to watch: Monticello’s Josh Malm. Malm is now tied for the Mustangs’ program record for most field goals in a season, booting six. If this one gets close, Rodney Redd now knows he can rely on his junior kicker, who rightfully earned first team All-Jefferson District honors.
The line: Monticello by 7. Rolling on a five-game win-streak and an easy win over R.E. Lee, the Mustangs are coming into the Region II playoffs as hot as anyone right now.
No. 10 Clarke County (6-4) at No. 7 Buckingham County (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday
The basics: The Eagles and Knights both finished the regular season by scoring at least 60 points. Clarke beat up on William Monroe last week while Buckingham hammered Bluestone. This should be a game where it’s practically a running clock with the way both teams like to keep the ball on the ground. The real question here is which defense can handle the wear and tear that comes in an old school matchup like this better.
Key matchup: This one is pretty straight forward and it applies to both teams, the offensive lines against the defensive lines. The Knights have to get penetration to get at Eagles running back Davey Hardesty. Tyrique Bartee coming off a 12.5 tackle game should be a big factor there. Clarke has to get into the backfield and then decipher which of Buckingham’s two backs, Kenneth Johnson or Kyree Koonce, is going to get the ball on any given play and then figure out how to stop them. Countering the Knights depth advantage is the Eagle’s misdirection style that will force Buckingham to play assignment football and not over pursue or get fooled. The Knights have an advantage here in that they are just two weeks removed from playing a similar team in Goochland and just slipping up against the Bulldogs in overtime. Clarke has to go back to its meeting with Strasburg, which showed well in to when they faced a running back, much less two, as good as this duo from Buckingham.
Who to watch: Koonce. If you’re playing fantasy football, Johnson’s your guy as he leads the area in touchdowns with 27. Now Koonce isn’t far behind with 18, but it’s his play in the return game that could be the difference maker in this game. It’s so hard to slow these two down on any given drive, but when Koonce gives his team a short field, it’s just brutal for defenses. He’s had the hot hand these last few weeks and considering how much production Johnson’s had, it’s insane to think that this tandem is more problematic now than back in September.
The line: Buckingham by 3. The Knights depth gives them the edge here, but not by much as this Clarke program is always a threat to make a playoff run.
No. 14 Madison County (5-5) at No. 3 King William (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The basics: The Mountaineers closed out the regular season at John Champe to finish at .500, a solid step forward off of a 3-7 campaign 2011, to make the playoffs for the third time in four years. King William, last year’s Eastern Section runnerup has not lost since the first week of September, and that was to the top seed in this section in Essex. The Cavaliers won their eighth straight with a 53-0 rolling of King and Queen Central. This was the fourth straight week with at least 50 points on the board.
Key matchup: Madison’s entire defense against William quarterback Freeman McPhearson. Last year a handful of Mountaineer faithful including coach Stuart Dean made the trip to Goochland where the Cavaliers played for the East Section championship. At halftime that group was awestruck by McPhearson’s play and stature, and so this Mountaineers team knows well in advance what to expect. The senior quarterback is built like a collegiate defensive end and has a big arm. On the run he’s next to impossible to bring down on a high tackle. This Madison defense doesn’t have much choice put to try and contain him in the pocket and hope its secondary can handle some man-to-man battles. If McPhearson decides to run, this defense has no choice but to bite because it’s going to take an impressive ankle tackle on an agile target or a gang to bring him down. We’ve seen Madison face some vaunted offenses in Strarsburg and Central Woodstock. For the first halves of both those games the Mountaineers stood tall. They have to avoid the second half collapse to keep up with the Cavaliers.
Who to watch: Madison quarterback James Graves. He’s just a sophomore and has played valiantly with senior quarterback Dustin Farmer injured early in the year. Graves has a big chance to be a difference maker here. The King William defense will be dead set on trying to stuff the rushing attack led by the Mountaineers’ Logan Carpenter. If Graves can come up with some big plays whether its to Ashton Weekly or Sam Taylor or Maurice Gentry, that will go a long ways. That trio accounts for 557 of Graves’ 935 yards and it’s likely that Madison will need to be able to answer the Cavaliers with some really big plays.
The line: King William by 10. This is a team on the warpath since just missing out on a final four showing in the playoffs last year. Tough matchup for the Mountaineers here.
No. 3 Christchurch (7-3) at No.2 Blue Ridge (7-2), 1 p.m., Saturday
The basics: The Seahorses are coming off a strange finish, falling to Virginia Episcopal by seven. Had they won, this contest would likely be in Urbana. But that loss paired with a Blue Ridge romp of St. Anne’s-Belfield, the Barons first win over the Saints since 2005, puts this game in St. George. These two teams met in on a Tuesday in the middle of October with Christchurch coming out on top 19-7. But an awful lot has changed for both these teams since then, making this contest all the more interesting. These two also met last year in the first round and the Seahorses, led by a huge senior class, rolled en route to a VIS Division 2 championship just a week later.
Key matchup: It’s Blue Ridge’s biggest advantage each week. The Seahorses secondary faces the Barons’ receiving corps. Every time that quarterback Tristan Allen drops back, if PJ White, Leon Strauss or Darryl Smith get any separation, it could be a quick seven. Smith was not on the roster the first go around so Christchurch will have to adjust to that. But this Seahorse unit fared pretty well against a formidable Fork Union receiving corps pretty well in September, so it’s not out of the realm they could do the same against this group which is just crazily athletic and physically gifted.
Who to watch: Barons linebacker/running back Cody Pegram. He was knocked out early in the first meeting. His play on both sides of the field has been instrumental as he helps to spell out fellow running back Shawn Steen and offer a bit more of a power run-game than Steen’s slash-and-dash stlye. With how stretched out this Christchurch defense will be thanks to Blue Ridge’s receivers, a power runner can really wear down a defense in a short time. Then defensively, there’s no such thing as too much depth in the middle of the field and Pegram’s play at linebacker helps fellow linebackers Mujahid Fricke and Jared Arntzen, a pair tackling machines lock down whichever side of the field they line up on.
The line: Blue Ridge by 1. Christchurch dropping two of its last three and the Barons playing with Pegram and the addition of Smith make the difference here.
Episcopal (3-6) at Woodberry Forest (6-3), 2 p.m. Saturday
The basics: It’s one of the most unique traditions in high school football, the battle for lifetime bragging rights for seniors who all want to say they won their final installment of “The Game.” It’s the 112th meeting of the two schools in what is billed as the oldest rivalry in the South, and the first for new Episcopal coach Panos Voulgaris. Clint Alexander, however has been in a bunch of these, and the Tigers are bringing a few more weapons to a fight that they haven’t lost in four years (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011). Based on common opponents, Episcopal has absorbed blowout losses from St. Christopher’s and Collegiate, both teams that Woodberry beat in close battles. The Tigers though will be trying to bounce back from a frustrating finish to Prep League play against Fork Union in a 42-14 loss. It’s been five years, however, since Woodberry Forest lost two games in a row. This is a game that has a knack for creating unlikely heroes too, so expect to see some surprises.
Key matchup: Woodberry’s offense versus the nerves of The Game. The Tigers’ offense, at times, has looked fantastic with Hunter Etheridge running the show. Just go back to the Blair comeback in September or the blowout against Kiski. When the Tigers are in a rhythm and playing with the pace and urgency that they need, they can do big things and take the pressure off a defense that’s largely been stout before getting its doors blown off against Fork Union last week. Putting aside the emotion that comes from playing Episcopal will be key to finding that rhythm.
Who to watch: Woodberry’s Doug Randolph. Since returning to the lineup, he’s produced 10.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries. He’s averaging more than two sacks per game. Containing Randolph will be Episcopal’s top priority, but they may not have an answer for the Tigers’ own force of nature.
The line: Woodberry by 14. We know this is a big-time rivalry, and it’s going to be close at least for awhile just based on the emotion that comes with this one. But the Tigers are loaded and hungry after last week’s loss to FUMA.
