August 29th is just a day away... our long wait for football is almost over... weather permitting. Storms are in the forecast and this time of year you can never rule anything out but the fact is football is back and I for one cannot wait!

Pick a game, any game... you really cannot go wrong.

Lancers v. Springers?

Blue Devils v. Braves?

Mavericks v. Raiders?

Panthers v. Tigers?

Do yourself a favor and get out to a game Thursday or Friday night... why not both? Football is back!

Highland Springs leads series 20-4-2 and the Lancers last win in series was 1964.

This series doesn't have a long history to it as compared other series given both programs go back decades. What it does pack in recent seasons is an action packed contest, a measuring stick for both and a catapult to one another's seasons.

For the first time in some time, however, there is uncertainty with this matchup.

If you have been in hibernation waiting for the sights and sounds of football than you missed the fact that Tom Hall left Manchester and Corey Holland who was a rising star as a Lancer RB last season is now at Bird. There is a new HC in Jason Harrell and the Lancers took several hits from graduation.

On the Springer side, Khristian Martin is not coming off the sideline... no, that would be Nelson Layne, the former Rapid QB. He has much to prove as he will be playing in bigger and more meaningful games than he did in all three seasons at James River.

That is the big question for the Springers, not just in terms of this game but the season as a whole. Can he play to the expectation? The Lancer defense took a hit but Jason Harrell knows defense and he will have his guys dialed up and having seen Nelson Layne before in the Dominion District, they are well versed. Can the Lancers defense handle the 2-headed monster run game of Eric Byrd and now Daeron Ferguson?

The Springers handled business twice last year versus the Lancers. The Lancers still have Landen Abernathy and he has weapons to work with but if the Springers take out the passing game, can the Lancers threaten with the run as they did last season?

This one could resemble more of the 2022 matchup as opposed to the 2023. Coming into this one the Springers feel like they have a bit more firepower on offense and a bit more punch on defense. We will find out a lot about both teams by nights end.

Forecast: Highland Springs 35, Manchester 14

George Washington at #2 Dinwiddie

Dinwiddie owns this series 3-0 and has won by 45 or more points in all three games.

Navy Nation will be out in full force with canons firing for this home opener as the Generals final ride with Harry Dalton begins Friday night against the Eagles. The Eagles are tasked with doing what few teams have been able to do and that is stop Harry Dalton. Dalton has all sorts of weapons at his disposal this season including Mickiel Johnson & Zion Boisseau to name a couple. The Generals defense should be better than that of last year which should only enhance the Generals opportunity for victory not just in this matchup but the season as a whole.

Forecast: Dinwiddie 48, George Washington 21

Indian River at #4 Varina

Varina owns series 1-0.

The Blue Devils begin a 4-game home stand to open their season. Last season the Blue Devils traveled to the 757 only to blank the Braves on their way to another region title appearance while Indian River reached the state semifinals. While Indian River appears to be better than the squad that Varina blanked, the Blue Devil defense is a championship caliber defense and Jonathan Lewis coached defenses are never easy to overcome. The Braves are good but this defense is on another level.

Forecast: Varina 23, Indian River 7

#5 LC Bird at James River

LC Bird leads series 27-3 with the teams splitting the last 4 meetings.

It could be a long night for the Rapids in their home opener with a new but familiar looking Skyhawks team coming to the Swamp. The Rapids might have depth but they lack experience whereas the Skyhawks pack firepower in the run game of Corey Holland and Sir Paul Cheeks plus Jason Wright at QB ready to go out with a bang in his senior season. The only thing slowing down the Skyhawks might just be themselves.

Forecast: LC Bird 47, James River 6

Cosby at #8 Thomas Dale

Thomas Dale leads the series 11-1 with the Titans only win in the series in 2014.

Chester has not been kind to the Titans and it surely won't this Thursday night. Thomas Dale might be in re-load mode but the Knights still have NK Hines Jr. and Ethan Medley who can put up some points. The defense, if they can play up to their potential should be able to keep the Titans at bay but with the first game of the season you just never know. I expect the Titans to keep it close for a while but as the game progresses so will the Knights.

Forecast: Thomas Dale 24, Cosby 14

Greensville at #10 Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson owns this series 7-0.

TJ has a rare home game to kick-off their season as they are few and far between in 2024. Big things are expected from the Vikings in 2024 and there is not better time to get that started than the first game. The Vikings have given up just a total 14 points over their last three meetings with the Eagles. TJ with an arsenal of talent back or transferring in will be looking to make an early statement in this one to their city rivals as well as Class 3 brethren.

Forecast: Thomas Jefferson 48, Greensville 10

Deep Run at Mechanicsville

Mechanicsville leads series 2-1 with the Wildcats only win in the series, 2022.

Simply put you have two programs who have been stuck in neutral the past few seasons but should be better in 2024. No better time to start than snagging a win in this contest.

Forecast: Deep Run 38, Mechanicsville 27

Douglas Freeman at Atlee

Douglas Freeman leads series 19-11 with the Raiders last win in series 2018.

Are these passing ships in the night? Atlee has a lot of athletes to rise up and make some noise and Freeman has undergone a lot change since the end of last season.

Forecast: Douglas Freeman 18, Atlee 16

Meadowbrook at Clover Hill

Clover Hill leads series 8-6 but it is Meadowbrook who has won last 5 meetings.

Someone is going to get their season started with a win, the other is going to have a missed opportunity in a season where wins will be hard to come by. Crazy to say it in the first game but this is a must win game.

Forecast: Meadowbrook 24, Clover Hill 10

Midlothian at Monacan

Monacan leads series 31-14 but it is Midlothian who has won 4 of last 5.

The Trojans have dominated this series in recent history and if we are to believe they are a playoff team, not just contender this year, a win here is crucial. I expect the Trojans to flex that muscle and leave a very strong first impression in 2024.

Forecast: Midlothian 35, Monacan 14

Prince George at Glen Allen

Glen Allen owns series 1-0.

An intriguing matchup with a new era born at Prince George. It is possible the Royals could shock us all but the odds are heavily in favor of the Jags and that senior heavy squad. Royals won't make it easy but Glen Allen should get off to a 1-0 start.

Forecast: Glen Allen 25, Prince George 13

Armstrong at Collegiate

1st meeting of these two programs.

What better game to prove that last season was no one-hit wonder for the Wildcats than going up against a private school? Wildcats don't recruit like private schools but they got some athletes and they got a hunger after a taste of success last season.

Forecast: Armstrong 28, Collegiate 16

Booker T. Washington at Petersburg

Petersburg not only leads this series 5-2 but they are undefeated at home.

The Wave have the advantage of playing at home in this one with a team that should be the best since the pandemic. The Wave has little margin for error considering the remainder of their schedule so this is one you don't want to let slip away.

Forecast: Petersburg 25, Booker T 15

Caroline at JR Tucker

JR Tucker leads this series 6-2 and has won 3 of the last 5, however...

The Tigers lost players to other schools in the offseason so Coach Fritts in some respect is starting over again. The Tigers might have the advantage in the series but the Cavaliers have a bit more experience that make for a long night at the 'Palace on Parham'.

Forecast: Caroline 21, JR Tucker 8

Hermitage at Oscar Smith

Hermitage leads the series 5-2-1 but their last win was 1956!

The Panthers are an improved team and they have perhaps the most talent on this squad in the Jean-Pierre era but Oscar Smith is just different. The Tigers are expected to compete for a state title, Hermitage a region title... the two are not the same.

Forecast: Oscar Smith 35, Hermitage 6

Hopewell at Mecklenburg

Hopewell owns series 1-0.

The Blue Devils go on the road to get their season started against a team they never lost to, granted they have only played once. Memory of their fallen teammate is one of many motivating factors for the Blue Devils moving forward.

Forecast: Hopewell 21, Mecklenburg 0

John Marshall at Mathews

1st meeting of these two programs.

John Marshall is taking a page out of other city schools in scheduling teams more of their makeup. If John Marshall wants to turn things around, a win here is paramount to attitude and confidence.

Forecast: John Marshall 12, Mathews 7

Louisa at Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry leads the series 11-6 but it is the Lions who have won 2 of the last 3 meetings.

Football in Ashland is just different and so are these Patriots. Patrick Henry fell on hard times last season and while I expect better results in 2024, beating Louisa is a tall order.

Forecast: Louisa 18, Patrick Henry 6

Mills Godwin at Goochland

Mills Godwin owns this series 1-0.

Goochland is the setting in this one and while the Eagles took it to Goochland last season, this one won't be as easy. Defense of Godwin will keep them in this game but the offense must step to insure victory.

Forecast: Mills Godwin 15, Goochland 7

Southampton at Colonial Heights

Colonial Heights leads this series 4-3 but the two have split their last 4 meetings.

Colonial Heights like most seasons needs wins early before they get to the thick of things in the Central District. History tells us Colonials come out on top of Indians in most cases but this is a younger Colonials team than the previous two seasons

Pick: Colonial Heights 36, Southampton 30