We're down to the last two weeks of the regular season in the Eastern Region. We have two matchups worthy of Game of the Week. Grassfield, which is coming off its first loss of the year a week ago, travels to Oscar Smith to play a Tigers team looking to win its ninth straight Southeastern District title. Over in the Beach District, Cox plays host to Bayside in a battle where the winner should be in the playoffs, and the loser is most likely out.

Before we start to breakdown this week's matchups, let's review the Eastern Region Prediction Standings with State Football Editor Rod Johnson, VHSL-Reference.com and Matthew Hatfield.

Through 10-21-12	Wins	Losses	Pct.
Matthew Hatfield	135	25	84.4%
Rod Johnson	133	27	83.1%
VHSL-Reference	127	33	79.4%

Both Johnson and Hatfield went 17-2 last week, keeping the difference between them at two games with two weeks left to play until the postseason arrives. The misses were King's Fork/Grassfield and Churchland/Booker T. Washington. VHSL-Reference went 16-3, misfiring on Hickory/Indian River as well.

Southeastern Game of the Week:

#8 Grassfield (7-1) at #1 Oscar Smith (7-1) . . . Oscar Smith puts its 53-game Southeastern District winning streak on the line when the Grassfield Grizzlies roll into Beard-DeLong-Easley Field in Chesapeake. Grassfield is the only team in the district since 2007 to play Oscar Smith within single-digits, doing so twice. Of those 53 straight league victories for the Tigers, all but four of them have been by a minimum of 20 points, truly speaking to their level of dominance in recent years. Coach Rich Morgan has to like how Oscar Smith's offense has performed since the season-opening to Byrnes as they've won every game since then by no less than 29 points, averaging 48.3PPG against Virginia competition this year.

Tigers quarterback DaShawn Blow is playing as well as anyone at his position with 23 touchdowns to only two interceptions. In the backfield, DeShawn McClease averages over 11 yards per carry and is a home-run threat, while Marcus Smith would also have 1000 yards if he got over 15 touches a contest. Once UVA commit and star receiver Zack Jones came back fully healthy from the ankle injury, he has been a serious weapon the last two times out versus Western Branch and Deep Creek with 155 yards receiving and three touchdowns over that span to bring his season totals to 19 grabs for 536 yards and 7TD's. Opposite him is ODU commit Melvin Vaughn with 501 yards and 6TD's receiving.

The Grizzlies have thrived on long touchdowns all season long. Tailback Isaiah Harper has six touchdowns of 60 yards or longer with seven plays overall over 60 yards. His speedy backfield mate, fellow junior Vincent Lowe, has seven touchdowns with three of them on the defensive end. Quarterback Blake LaRussa continues to step up during his junior season with 1169 yards passing on 56 of 108 with 15 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. Grassfield has seen Paris Smith come into his own this year as well; he leads the Southeastern District with 629 yards and 8TD's receiving.

While the Grassfield offense amassed nearly 400 total yards in their 25-21 loss to King's Fork, they had trouble stopping the run and getting penetration with its front seven. Facing an Oscar Smith offensive line that is one of the state's best will make it an unenviable task, and they've got to get others to step up around middle linebacker Marcus Mitchell, who although undersized, plays with non-stop hustle as he notched 15 total tackles last week. The Tigers have multiple defensive standouts with BCS-level prospect Andrew Brown, ODU commit Kanyia Anderson and Darren Flowers (9 sacks) all as headliners along the defensive line. Their secondary has speed and playmaking ability with Monty Fenner and Lakwon Chapel both scoring defensive touchdowns within the past month.

Oscar Smith Keys to Victory:

#1 - - Be Aggressive, Strike Quickly

#2 - - Force WR's Not Named Paris Smith to Beat You

#3 - - Limit Grassfield's Return Yardage

Grassfield Keys to Victory:

#1 - - Get Lowe & Harper the Ball in Space

#2 - - Be Physical with Ball-Control Style

#3 - - Disguise Blitzes as well as Coverage

Closing Thoughts: Grassfield has never beaten Oscar Smith in school history. Two of their seven losses head-to-head to the Tigers have come in the playoffs, and it won't be too surprising if they meet again in the postseason. Right now, the Tigers come in brimming with supreme confidence as usual, and it's hard to imagine the Grizz bounce back off a home loss to King's Fork and go on the road to give Oscar Smith a serious scare. What has made Oscar Smith such a dominant team is their ability to win games multiple ways, whether it's with the pass, the run or defensively buckling down and taking away what you do best. The Grizzlies will play tough; they always do under Coach Marty Asprey. But so do Coach Morgan's Tigers. Look for Oscar Smith to simply be too much and to pull away with its excellent mixture of run and pass at some point in the third quarter.

Predictions:
Matt Says: Oscar Smith 34-13
Rod Says: Oscar Smith 38-14
VHSL-Reference Says: Oscar Smith 28-13

Beach Game of the Week:

#9 Bayside (7-2) at #10 Cox (6-2) . . . These two teams are fighting for third place in the Beach District, which doesn't seem like much with Ocean Lakes and Salem having already beaten both by double-figures, but a playoff berth is very much on the line. The winner should get in, while the loser is most likely out. Of course, the reward for the winner might not be a whole lot since a first round matchup with defending Division 6 State Champion Oscar Smith could await them. Bayside has won four in a row in the head-to-head series, including in the quarterfinals of the 2010 playoffs. Each team enters on a five-game winning streak, putting up impressive offensive numbers over that stretch and doing just enough on defense, whether that means key stops in the red zone or coming up with takeaways.

Four-year Marlins starting quarterback Deion Stitt enters this contest just 121 yards away from Great Bridge grad Casey Turner for fourth place on the VHSL career passing list. Perhaps the best stat of all is that he hasn't been picked off in the last five games after throwing four interceptions through their first four games. Tailback and UVA commit Taquan 'Smoke' Mizzell, a five-star prospect, leads the Eastern Region in rushing touchdowns with 19 and comes in just 103 yards shy of 1000 for the season. Offensively, Darnell Moore's Marlins are putting up 44.6PPG during their win streak.

Bill Stachelski's Cox offense runs a somewhat complicated triple-option that requires opponents to know their assignments and gaps or else they'll get carved up slowly but surely. Junior signal caller Tommy McKee (1146 total yards, 15TD's) and Mike DeMasi, who has added 472 yards and 4TD's, are the engines to that attack. Bryan Campbell at receiver has over 600 yards offense and accounted for 5TD's, proving to be one of their more versatile standouts. Up front on the line, tackle Gabe Hollins has the ability to be a next level player and is one of the district's better blockers. Bayside linebackers Will Dillard and Anthony Christman have to be able to keep the Cox runs via the option to minimal gains.

The matchups to watch will be the Cox cornerbacks against the Bayside wide receivers. Tahj Coleman (6 takeaways) and Isaiah Fenner have to be to keep junior standout Quin Blanding and senior Devate Batey from beating them over the top and cashing in with the big play. Crisp tackling is a must against Bayside. The Falcons have six players with 30 total stops or more, led by 37 apiece from Tucker Curran and Adam Carroll. Bayside has given up a number of sacks on the year, and when they lost to Ocean Lakes and Salem, their blocking really showed to be a weakness. Give Stitt time, and the Marlins should see plenty of opportunities to put points up on the board.

Bayside Keys to Victory:

#1 - - Control QB McKee & the Option

#2 - - Stay Balanced Offensively

#3 - - Feed Mizzell & Blanding Early

Cox Keys to Victory:

#1 - - Limit Bayside's Vertical Passing Opportunities

#2 - - Rattle Stitt & Win Battle Up Front

#3 - - Finish in the Red Zone

Closing Thoughts: The Falcons are an extremely disciplined, fundamentally sound football team that won't beat itself. However, if Bayside is able to get the favorable one-on-one matchups they want with Mizzell against a linebacker, Blanding versus a receiver that gives up a lot in terms of size or speed, and be able to use their athleticism down the field, stopping them from scoring will be a chore for Cox. At the same time, I'm not sure the Bayside defense can consistently get stops against the Cox offense as the Falcons are sprinkling in the pass better with the run than in the past, plus the Marlins have a host of underclassmen playing key roles on that side of the ball. In the end, this is a game that figures to come down to one or two plays, maybe even late, and Bayside has the proven playmakers to probably get those plays, even on the road with potential protection issues.

Matt Says: Bayside 28-24
Rod Says: Bayside 33-27
VHSL-Reference Says: Bayside 23-17

Churchland (2-6) at #2 Lake Taylor (8-0) . . . The Lake Taylor Titans pulled out the season's most exciting game to date arguably in the Eastern Region on a touchdown on the final play from junior tight end Jalyn Holmes to edge Granby 27-25 with sole possession of first place in the Eastern District on the line. In that game, Lake Taylor did not play its best football, struggling to block up front, stop the run and committed some penalties that hurt their cause. Expect them to be much sharper against a Churchland team that probably won't have an answer for the Titans' passing game, 1-2 rushing bunch of Brandon 'Pork Chop' Moore and Daquan Davis or that quick and aggressive pass rush. For the year, Lake Taylor QB Delmon Williams has thrown for 1135 yards, no interceptions and 20 touchdowns with 12 of them over the last three Saturday afternoons. QB Malik Sexton rushed for nearly 200 yards last week for the Truckers in their win over Booker T. Washington, but here he faces a Titans defense allowing negative seven yards rushing through eight games.

Matt Says: Lake Taylor 42-0
Rod Says: Lake Taylor 34-6
VHSL-Reference Says: Lake Taylor 49-7

#3 Ocean Lakes (8-0) at Landstown (3-5) . . . Think Ocean Lakes won't be ready for this one? Think again. That's because last year Landstown beat the Dolphins 20-14 to end Ocean Lakes' four-game winning streak in the head-to-head series. Landstown had dropped four in a row on the year until last week's 21-18 triumph over Green Run, where tailback Trevon Byron went over the century mark rushing for the fourth time in 2012. Ocean Lakes, meanwhile, got another MVP type performance from triggerman and UVA commit Corwin Cutler, who had more touchdowns than incomplete passes to bring his gaudy season totals to 1736 yards, 22 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Tailbacks Brandon Simmons and Jordan Bobo have together accounted for over 1000 yards, and wideouts Andre Dessenberg (Delaware commit) and Jaason Lewis, who recently picked up a UNC offer, combined for five touchdowns in last week's blowout of Kempsville. Above all else, Ocean Lakes has the run stoppers with Demetri McGill, Derrick Nnadi, Myke Knox, Jahvoni Simmons and company to slow down Byron and the Eagles' ground attack.

Matt Says: Ocean Lakes 49-10
Rod Says: Ocean Lakes 42-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Ocean Lakes 32-10

#4 Phoebus (8-0) at Gloucester (0-8) . . . Six times in the last ten years, Phoebus has shutout Gloucester. Given how much the Dukes have struggled offensively with a coaching change occurring just two weeks ago as well as how fast and physical Phoebus is defensively where they've allowed under 10 points per game, another shutout is a distinct possibility. James Scott has been a real plus for the Gloucester offense as a junior with 838 yards rushing. Phoebus will plan to take him out of the equation though with Atavius Matthews, Richie Staton, ODU commit Mark Wilson, Harry Lewis and Kevin Lyles all converging to the ball. On offense, the Phantoms could get a chance to experiment some with the passing game and freshman Terrell Toliver. However, their bread and butter is the run with Tony Pittman, Da'Quan Lane and leaning on that massive offensive line to pave the way against a vastly smaller Gloucester defensive line short on depth.

Matt Says: Phoebus 45-3
Rod Says: Phoebus 48-6
VHSL-Reference Says: Phoebus 55-0

Tallwood (1-7) at #5 Salem (7-1) . . . Salem has won eight straight meetings in this series with each of the last four being shutouts. That SunDevils defense can be nasty when they are at their best with Virginia Tech commit Andrew Motu'apuaka at linebacker along with Steven Smith, Rainney Thompson and others getting after offenses in a suffocating fashion. For Tallwood to stand any chance, they can't turn the ball over frequently like they did last week in a 28-0 loss to First Colonial where they threw six interceptions or the week before when Quin Blanding picked them off three times alone. The Lions have to play keep away on offense with the running game, which has included Allen Hayes at times. Where the Lions will be tested most is defensively. They're giving up 30.8 points per game, and the Salem offense has several weapons with dual-threat QB and Hokies commit Bucky Hodges, WR's Kwamane Bowens and James Church, and the emergence of Daijon Bland in the backfield off a 181-yard performance in a victory over Kellam.

Matt Says: Salem 47-6
Rod Says: Salem 40-0
VHSL-Reference Says: Salem 62-0

Kecoughtan (4-4) at #6 Hampton (7-1) . . . It has been an awfully long time since Kecoughtan last beat Hampton. When was it you ask? 1995 in the season opener the Warriors won 12-8. That was the first year of Hampton's run of winning four straight state titles. Hampton has won 16 straight in the season, and six of those have been of the shutout variety. Mike Smith's Crabbers are looking for their fifth straight shutout as they gear up for a huge battle with Phoebus next Thursday. Kecoughtan comes in with the #3 leading rusher in the Eastern Region in Trenton Cannon, who has 1211 yards and 15TD's. The tandem of Deon Newsome and Marshawn Williams, both of whom are committed to Virginia Tech, isn't too shabby for Hampton, though. Not to mention, Umar Muhammad-Wyatt is showing flashes of being a target defenses have to be aware of at receiver. Freshman QB Desmond Savage has potential for Kecoughtan, but this not the type of defense he's ready for at this time. Nor are the Warriors probably deep enough to handle Hampton's power run game.

Matt Says: Hampton 38-13
Rod Says: Hampton 35-7
VHSL-Reference Says: Hampton 30-10

#7 Granby (7-1) at Booker T. Washington (2-6) . . . Until last year's 27-0 shutout by Granby, Booker T. Washington had six consecutive meetings in this series. Booker T. enters this game having lost five in a row with two defeats at the hands of Norview and Churchland by a combined eight points. Granby lost by two versus Lake Taylor in a showdown for first place in the Eastern District, where the Titans beat them on a 24-yard touchdown pass on the game's final play. In that loss, the Comets' defensive front was suffocating with Sherrod Ryland and Tashad Charity combining for seven sacks, and sophomore defensive end Quinton Brown applies pressure on the outside as well. Caleb Wilson made some hits from linebacker and rushed for three touchdowns on offense in that battle with the Titans. Lavelle Hawthorne ran for 70 yards and a touchdown last week for the Bookers and Lamont Mayo also scored a touchdown. BTW must maximize their touches to win and keep Granby's main playmakers like Wilson, Sidney Fulford and Lawrence Harris from ripping off big gainers or else the Comets will send them to a sixth straight loss.

Matt Says: Granby 32-8
Rod Says: Granby 27-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Granby 34-11

Menchville (2-6) at #11 Bethel (6-2) . . . Rather quietly, the Bethel offense has developed into one of the better units in both the Eastern Region and Peninsula District in terms of scoring (32.4PPG over last five). Few would've predicted that with the way they started the year and as much they lost through graduation, most notably their starting quarterback and two prime receivers that combined for over 1000 yards. The Bruins will likely be without starting running back Jihad Hudson, who's still battling turf toe. Even without him, they have capable rushing options with Demetrius Dinkins, fullback Brian Moore and QB Trey Jackson has the ability to make plays with his legs when a play breaks down. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they are facing a Menchville defense near the bottom of the district in rush defense, fresh off a game in which they gave up 64 points to Hampton. Menchville has lost four in a row, scoring only 12 points in that stretch. They'll need QB Tyler Mueller will have to play relatively mistake-free football, and the Monarchs are hoping their kicking game with Dillon Christopher will have a significant impact on this contest.

Matt Says: Bethel 42-9
Rod Says: Bethel 36-7
VHSL-Reference Says: Bethel 41-0

#12 Western Branch (6-2) at Great Bridge (0-8) . . . Great Bridge has won two of the last three times they've played Western Branch. The Bruins beat Great Bridge 35-28 last year behind 208 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 18 carries from tailback Josh Marriner (1265 yards, 15TD's), the Southeastern District's leading rusher who's committed to UCONN. Besides Marriner, the Bruins have some other weapons running the ball with Terrence Ricks, Eugene Summerville, Donte Shepard and even QB C.J. Thomas can make things happen with his legs. Watch out for junior wideout T.J. Boothe as well; he might be the most underrated playmaker on the team. Freshman Jacob Wilson threw for 125 yards in his varsity debut for Great Bridge last week against Lakeland. Wideout Daquan Cuffee gave them a steady option through the air, too. Where the Wildcats are in most trouble is defensively, yielding 37.9PPG and more rushing yards a game than any other SED team.

Matt Says: Western Branch 56-14
Rod Says: Western Branch 44-14
VHSL-Reference Says: Western Branch 51-0

Deep Creek (1-7) at #13 King's Fork (6-2) . . . Coming off an upset of Grassfield, the King's Fork Bulldogs pretty much wrapped up a playoff berth in Division 5 for the first time in school history unless a bunch of strange results occur over the final two weeks of the season. They came into the year with Virginia Tech commit Charles Clark and East Carolina commit Davon Grayson as their two established standouts, but we've also seen junior QB Uriah Adams (3TD's total last week) and freshman tailback Deshaun Wethington (564 yards rushing) emerge into major players as well. Both are guys they can build around once Clark and Grayson graduate, too. Since beating Great Bridge 18-14, Deep Creek has been outscored 106-7 over the last two games. As long as King's Fork doesn't take Deep Creek lightly and get caught looking ahead in the second half to next week's matchup with Oscar Smith, they'll be okay against a Hornets team that has had trouble sustaining drives and getting off the field on third down.

Matt Says: King's Fork 36-12
Rod Says: King's Fork 33-14
VHSL-Reference Says: King's Fork 33-10

First Colonial (4-4) vs. Princess Anne (1-7) at VB Sportsplex . . . The last time the Princess Anne Cavaliers beat First Colonial was in 2002 and by a margin of 35-7. First Colonial has blanked PA two of the past three years, including 35-0 a season ago. When FC wins, they do it with defense. In all four of their victories they've held the opposition to seven points or fewer. Last week in their 28-0 shutout of Tallwood, the Patriots intercepted six passes. They've got numerous players making plays on defense, led by corner Raven Greene, a next-level player. Offensively, they were able to run for 232 yards in that game with Greene, Bodie Sheehan, Rayshawn Steverson and QB Joey Brown all effectively moving the chains on the ground. PA signal caller Shelton Beale gained 92 yards rushing last week against Bayside and the Cavs have moved the ball well at times, but they can't give FC short fields like they did the Marlins or else this one won't be that close.

Matt Says: First Colonial 30-7
Rod Says: First Colonial 26-13
VHSL-Reference Says: First Colonial 43-17

Kellam (5-3) at Green Run (1-7) . . . Shawn Wilson's Green Run Stallions are in some kind of funk. After rallying to beat Princess Anne in the opener, the team has dropped seven in a row, including tight losses to Kempsville and First Colonial in overtime. Kellam is a team they've had success against, beating the Knights four times in the last five years. Green Run would like to get revenge for two years ago when Kellam defeated the Stallions to end their postseason hopes. A win over the Knights here would dash any hopes they have of making the Division 6 playoffs in the Eastern Region. Averaging 27.5 points per game on the year with a 42-point outing versus Bayside, Kellam's offense can be downright dangerous in stretches with QB Pat Kagel (719 yards passing) and RB Cole Bava (729 yards, 11TD's rushing) at the forefront of their attack. The Knights have to be able to control RB Anthony Scott and WR De'Quan Edwards, who on defense at cornerback is a takeaway threat and maybe the best senior without a scholarship offer. If they do, they'll be fine.

Matt Says: Kellam 31-17
Rod Says: Kellam 34-20
VHSL-Reference Says: Kellam 31-10

Norcom (5-3) at Maury (5-3) . . . Norcom hasn't lost to Maury since 2008. This is the Commodores' best chance to beat them in four years, but they'll have to do without star wide receiver Davion Taylor (13TD's total). The Commodores won't have Taylor for the rest of the regular season or postseason due to a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee. In his absence, they are going to rely on QB Anthony Smith (741 total yards) as well as RB's DeSean Ackiss, Delveon Little and Russell Barclift. Defensively, they need Derrick Wilder, Daquan Delk and the rest of their defensive line and linebackers to bring down Norcom RB Traquan Martin on the initial hit. If Martin breaks tackles, he'll take it to the house with his speed and shiftiness; on the year he has 780 yards and six touchdowns via the run. Not to mention, he's a threat in the return game and on screen passes for QB Darron Downing. Norcom's defense does a better job of tackling and defending the pass this year, so I'd lean with them to pull this one, especially with Taylor sidelined.

Matt Says: Norcom 28-18
Rod Says: Norcom 20-19
VHSL-Reference Says: Maury 26-20

Wilson (0-8) at Norview (1-7) . . . Norview has won seven of the past eight head-to-head meetings with Wilson, which is still seeking its first win of the year in 2012. The Presidents played Granby to a close one-point loss, and last week they led Maury in the first half before sputtering in the second half, losing 37-26. Eddie Handsome's Pilots also had a solid showing in the first half last week, leading Norcom 23-8 before the Greyhounds scored 24 unanswered to beat them. Wilson quarterback Derwounte Greene is closing in on 1000 yards passing on the year, and the key will be getting time to find Rochelle Peebles, Lindsey Rodgers, Jamze Merritt and his main targets through the air. If he gets that, then the Presidents can win this game. Norview has used both Erwin Faison (1250 yards, 10TD's) and Michael Gadson at QB. Both have been effective, and wideout Sae'Quan Whitaker, a sophomore, is emerging as one of the area's best at his position. The offenses should move it against the other's defense, so the team that makes fewer mistakes ought to prevail.

Matt Says: Norview 27-21
Rod Says: Wilson 23-21
VHSL-Reference Says: Norview 25-6

Hickory (2-6) at Nansemond River (4-4) . . . For Tracey Parker's Nansemond River Warriors, this is a must-win game and so might next week's tilt with Suffolk rival Lakeland if they want to be playoff bound after narrowly missing the postseason in 2011. Tailback Latrell 'Vegas' Sandifer has been some kind of fun to watch this year, piling up 1008 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing as a junior, doing so while not even measuring in at 65 inches tall. The Hickory defense, which save two plays against Indian River in last week's 12-10 loss did a good job, has a tall task slowing him down. If the Warriors bottle up Hickory's running attack with Andy Eaton, I can't envision them throwing the ball for a ton of yardage. Nansemond River's passing game isn't overly lethal, but they have a couple of tall wideouts for QB Darwin Barbee, namely 6-foot-4 sophomore Scott Spencer. In the trenches, Nansemond's a bit more seasoned and that can be a difference in this one.

Matt Says: Nansemond River 26-16
Rod Says: Nansemond River 22-20
VHSL-Reference Says: Nansemond River 24-14

Lakeland (5-3) at Indian River (3-5) . . . Since their loss to Oscar Smith, the Lakeland offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging 37.7 points per game over the last three, a span in which RB Raekwon Johnson has rushed for over 100 yards every time out. Prior to that, Johnson, the reigning Southeastern District Offensive Player of the Year, was struggling while the passing game with QB Zach Super was carrying the offense. Wideout Antonio Jefferson continues to put up superb numbers with 30 receptions for 480 yards and 6TD's, and Derrick Edghill returned two interceptions for scores last week. The guy Lakeland has to contain for Indian River is JaQue Sawyer, who has five touchdowns of at least 25 yards over the past two games. He's the Braves' main weapon offensively and in the return game, so if they neutralize him, it will be hard for Indian River to keep pace in a shoot-out. But if Indian River's defense is able to establish a pass rush early, then things could be interesting in the third and fourth quarters. That'll be the key.

Matt Says: Lakeland 48-21
Rod Says: Lakeland 37-20
VHSL-Reference Says: Lakeland 40-13

Woodside (4-4) at Denbigh (2-6) . . . With neither team in the playoff hunt, both schools from Newport News are simply playing for pride at this point. Woodside, which went 10-0 in the regular season last year before being ousted by Bayside in the opening round of the playoffs, may fit into that category of 'best team not to make the playoffs,' or at least one of them. They're without starting QB Darius Howell and saw fourth-stringer Devin Gray come in and play admirably in their loss to Phoebus. Several different guys have carried the ball effectively, from Tyris Walker and Quincy Jones to JayQuan Lassiter and Tim Flood, a defensive standout with four touchdowns on that side of the ball over the last three games. Denbigh got a strong effort out of QB Terrence Dingle (661 yards passing, 5-5TD/Int. ratio) in last week's victory over Gloucester. Dingle and Jaquan Jenkins, a key player at receiver and on defense, have to play large for the Patriots to spring the upset.

Matt Says: Woodside 27-7
Rod Says: Woodside 20-6
VHSL-Reference Says: Woodside 36-8

Warwick (2-6) at Heritage (5-3) . . . Five straight years, the Warwick Raiders had gone 6-5 overall and made it to the playoffs. That string ends this season as they will suffer their first losing season since 2006. Injuries have plagued this team all season long, most notably the one to standout tailback Cardon Johnson. There are some weapons on this team that you have to be aware of with QB Joshua Butler a threat to run or pass, WR Demetree Harris, David Smith causing havoc defensively and Grandison James and Maceo Smalls together giving them a decent enough ground game to keep defenses honest. Heritage is right in the thick of the playoff chase in Division 5 and they have the Peninsula District's leading rusher in Khalid Abdullah, who has rushed for 1268 yards and 18 touchdowns. Heritage's defense has shown flashes of being really good with Charlie Harrison and Dimitri Holloway leading the way in the front seven and Marcus Van Hook on the back part.

Matt Says: Heritage 35-20
Rod Says: Heritage 31-17
VHSL-Reference Says: Heritage 36-10

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Matthew Hatfield has covered Eastern Region Football & Basketball since 2004 for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network. Check out Hatfield's Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don't forget to listen to him on High School Sports Talk from 10AM to Noon on ESPN Radio 94.1, plus watch him on the Cox 11 Sports Report.