Eastern Region Predictions - Week 3
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Week 3 in the Eastern Region offers up some compelling
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Eastern District versus Peninsula District matchups.
style=> Some teams are looking to bounce back after
defeat, while others hope to keep the momentum rolling and the wins adding up
so that by season's end they are in position to be playoff-bound.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Before we start to break down the matchups, let's
review the Eastern Region Prediction Standings with State Football Editor Rod
Johnson, VHSL-Reference.com and yours truly.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Yours truly, Matthew Hatfield, stays in front with a 15-3 week.
style=> Rod was able to get me on Cox/Green Run, but
I answered back with Western Branch over Norcom as he
too went 15-3 to keep pace, and in fact, knot up VHSL-Reference, which went
14-4 last week.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Game
of the Week:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> (1-1) at #5 Hampton (1-0) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Each
of the last three years, the Hampton Crabbers and Norcom
Greyhounds met up in the Eastern Region Division 5 playoffs either in the
semifinals or quarterfinals. Hampton won
with shutouts in both 2010 (24-0) and 2009 (28-0).
style=> The two played in the regular season a year
ago with Hampton rallying for a 14-13 victory in Portsmouth.
style=> It was a Norcom
felt they could've and should've won.
When they faced off again in the regional semifinals in November, the
Greyhounds exacted revenge with a 20-14 come-from-behind victory of their own,
marking the team's first trip to the Eastern Region D-5 title game since 1996.
style=> The Greyhounds' season came to an end there,
losing to Phoebus in the regional final.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton comes in confident with what its defense can do
after blanking Heritage 16-0 and holding the Hurricanes to just 94 total yards
of offense on 44 plays. They have
several key players going both ways like RB/LB Marshawn
Williams, QB/LB/DB Deon Newsome and WR/DB Daquin
Moore as the main headliners. Williams,
a junior, and Newsome, a senior, are both committed to Virginia Tech.
style=> They combined for 223 yards rushing and two
touchdowns on 38 carries last week as Coach Mike Smith notched career win
#429. Moore, who's committed to ODU, is
a hard-hitter from the back end of the secondary and reliable target in the
passing game.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For Norcom, which opened with
a 20-0 shutout of Wilson and then followed that up with a 27-13 road loss at
Western Branch, their success hinges will hinge on two simple things.
style=> They are being able to run the ball
effectively and stuff the run on defense.
Against Western Branch, they struggled at times in both areas, and
against the Crabbers their tackling is sure to get tested.
style=> Quarterback Darron
Downing has been serviceable in his first year as a starter throwing the ball
with 220 yards through the air in two weeks, and he has playmakers around him
that can get the job done in RB's Traquan Martin and
Aaron Parker as well as wideout Kevin Jones.
style=> On defense they are going to count on
d-linemen Marques Harvey and Matayas Mitchell along
with LB's Antony 'Tweety' Styles, Triquan
Holman and Fred Harris to limit the big run by Newsome or Williams for the
Crabbers.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>If Hampton's offensive line anchored by
class=SpellE>Daunte Wilson and Troy Garrett, a couple of returning
starters that figure to be All-Region candidates, gets great push up front,
then the Crabbers should have no trouble moving the ball and having an
opportunity to score early and often.
The difference early on with this Norcom team
and last year is they aren't quite as experienced at the skill positions, being
wide receiver and defensive back. By the
end of the year, they should be a little stronger and more confident in what
they can do at those positions. For now,
taking on a Hampton team that is both talented and deep at those spots makes
for a tough matchup.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In my opinion for the Greyhounds to pull off an upset,
they must win the turnover battle, avoid third down and long passing situations
and force Newsome to beat them with his arm rather than his legs, where he has
the potential to break the game open on one play.
style=> Hampton has something to prove in this game
because Norcom is the team that knocked them out of
the playoffs a year ago, so look for them to be hungry and motivated to show
they are a bona-fide Championship contender in Division 5 at the regional and
state level this year.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Prediction
class=GramE>:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Matt Says: Hampton 21-6
Rod Says: Hampton 27-7
VHSL-Reference Says: Hampton 32-10
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#1 Salem (2-0) at First Colonial (0-1) . . .
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>What's not to like
about Salem? Quarterback Bucky Hodges
hurts foes with his arm or legs, Torron Person is
developing nicely in the backfield, WR's James Church and Kwamane
Bowens give them one of the region's top receiving tandems and the defense has
made 13 sacks through two games. Believe
it or not, First Colonial does have some pluses on their side.
style=> For one, they had a bye week, so they got
extra time to prepare for the SunDevils and heal up
any injuries they suffered against Bayside, although starting QB Joey Brown is
out and Bodie Sheehan will get the nod.
style=> Also, this is a game after Salem's big
showdown, which could result in them coming out a little flat and sleep-walking
a bit to start. Nonetheless, Salem has
too much talent and speed on both sides of the ball for this to be a real
serious scare when the third and fourth quarters roll around.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Salem 34-14
Rod Says: Salem 43-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Salem 54-9
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#2 Oscar Smith (0-1) at Great Bridge (0-1) . . .
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Oscar Smith has dominated this series with ten straight victories and all of
them comfortably by 25 points or more except one.
style=> The Tigers have had several days to stew over
their 42-21 loss to nationally-ranked Byrnes (SC) on ESPN.
style=> Quarterback Dashawn
Blow didn't have the best of debuts, but should have a better grasp of the
offense and get ample time to spread the ball around to WR's Melvin Vaughn
(ODU), Zack Jones (UVA) as well as RB's DeShawn
class=SpellE>McClease and Marcus Smith.
Great Bridge has to establish a somewhat reliable run game with Marvin
Taylor and getting some help from Aaron Speziale in
the kicking department so field position is respectable or in their favor would
be a boost, too. Expect this to be the
game where the Oscar Smith defense flexes its muscles and particularly its
star-studded defensive line led by junior phenom
Andrew Brown and recent Old Dominion commit Kanyia
Anderson, who will be looking to get after Great Bridge QB Ryan Bottoms early
and often. The Wildcats have their hands
full in this one.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Oscar Smith 48-3
Rod Says: Oscar Smith 44-7
VHSL-Reference Says: Oscar Smith 49-
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#3 Phoebus (1-0) at Churchland (0-1) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The
reigning four-time Division 5 State Champion Phantoms have won all four
meetings since 2008, including a 63-6 rout in the playoffs that year.
style=> Their closest meeting came in 2009 when the
Phantoms walked away with a 19-7 victory.
That was a sloppy Phoebus effort that night, and the Phantoms were
anything but in their 59-7 trumping of Warwick last week in which Tony Pittman
rushed for 154 yards and 2TD's on only nine carries, and Quatez
Ruffin returned two interceptions for scores.
Churchland's offensive line is going to have
its hands full blocking the Phantoms d-line of Mark Wilson, Kevin Lyles, Harry
Lewis and Richie Staton, who made a couple of sacks
from the end position last week.
Truckers QB Malik Sexton will have to improvise some, but be careful not
to force the issue early and a snowball effect occur.
style=>
style=>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Phoebus 46-9
Rod Says: Phoebus 48-7
VHSL-Reference Says: Phoebus 42-3
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#4 Lake Taylor (1-0) at Bethel (1-0) . . .
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>This Thursday night
tilt at Darling Stadium features two teams fresh off 41-0 shutouts to open the
season. Lake Taylor blanked Indian River
41-0 as the Braves finished with negative 18 yards, while Bethel throttled
Gloucester 41-0 in a game where the Dukes ended up playing its fourth-string
quarterback. Much like the case is with
Hampton/Norcom this weekend, Lake Taylor has revenge
on its mind as they led the Bruins by double-figures a year ago when Bethel
rallied for a 26-18 victory. Of course,
that Bethel team featured standout receivers in Rashawn
Proctor and Willie Davis. This Bethel
team relies heavily on its ground game with Jihad Hudson and company, and their
defense, which is led by BCS prospect Ricky Walker from the Class of 2014.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor is one of the few contenders in the region
that enjoys winning with its defense first; 10 players made tackles behind the
line of scrimmage, including nine sacks between Marquise Poole and Brandon
Lynch. Lately, the Titans' offense has
become more explosive and two-dimensional, able to mix in the passing game with
QB Delmon Williams to balance out what is always a
strong running game, led by a 1-2 punch with Brandon 'Pork Chop' Moore and
class=SpellE>Daquan Davis that complement each other well.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Lake Taylor 35-10
Rod Says: Lake Taylor 31-14
VHSL-Reference Says: Bethel 24-20
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#6 Ocean Lakes (2-0) at Cox (1-1) . . .
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>One could make the
argument that Ocean Lakes has started as hot as any team in the Eastern Region,
outscoring two foes by a combined 111-0.
style=> Corwin 'Turtle' Cutler, who's committed to
UVA, has been outstanding at quarterback, and the Dolphins have mixed in that
air attack with some running with Brandon Simmons and Jordan
class=SpellE>Bobo. Much like
their battle with Salem a couple weeks ago, the Cox DB's will have to be able
to contain Ocean Lakes' big-play targets at receiver in Andre
class=SpellE>Dessenberg and Jason Lewis.
Two years ago, Cox sprung the upset against the Dolphins, 21-14.
style=> They won that game by dominating the Time of
Possession category, so they'll have to slowly but surely move the chains with
QB Tommy McKee and RB Mike DeMasi.
style=> The key to this game might be the Cox
offensive line, anchored by Gabe Hollins, against
that strong Ocean Lakes defensive front, featuring BCS-level d-tackles Derrick
class=SpellE>Nnadi and Demetri McGill.
style=> For Cox to keep it close and have a shot,
they have to hold ther own in the trenches.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Ocean Lakes 40-18
Rod Says: Ocean Lakes 44-21
VHSL-Reference Says: Ocean Lakes 28-14
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#7 Grassfield (1-0) at Nansemond River (1-0) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In
a week where there aren't a bunch of must-see games or expected heart-stoppers,
this matchup could quietly be one of the better ones in the region.
style=> Nansemond River came oh so close to making
the playoffs a year ago and they appear to have found an adequate replacement
for tailback Lamont Brown, who's now at Morgan State, in Latrell
Sandifer. Last
week in a running clock triumph over Wilson, Sandifer
managed to rush for 164 yards and 2TD's on 19 carries.
style=> He's not their only rushing threat either as
QB Darwin Barbee and DeShon Saunders (2TD's last
week) can aid him on the ground, too.
class=SpellE>Grassfield counters with a dynamic duo running the ball in
Vince Lowe and Isaiah Harper, a pair of juniors that will probably threaten for
1000 yards apiece. Receiving targets
like Chase Simonsen, Paris Smith and Markus Webb
might be asked to come up big if the Warriors are able to contain the running
game. This is a good measuring stick for
both teams, and right now Grassfield has a slight
speed and experience edge. They've
proven to pull out close games over time.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Grassfield
24-17
Rod Says: Grassfield
23-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Grassfield
31-13
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Hickory (1-0) at #8 Lakeland (1-0) . . .
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Lakeland
Cavaliers have their sights set on making a deeper playoff run than they did a
year ago when they crashed the Group AAA party for the first time in school
history and bowed out in the quarterfinal round to Norcom.
style=> Their 49-0 shutout to start things off
against Deep Creek was a pretty good indication that they'll be a team to be
reckoned with moving forward. On
offense, QB Zach Super completed well over 70% of his passes and RB
class=SpellE>Raekwon Johnson was hard to tackle.
style=> Against a Hickory squad that wants to keep
everything mostly in the middle of the field, I'd expect Lakeland to open it up
and try to get their WR's Antonio Jefferson, Derrick Edghill
and Darnell McMillian involved a great deal.
Hickory will need WR Richard Burney to step up and try to ride RB Andy
Eaton as long as possible, trying to contain Lakeland's speedy, dangerous
weapons on the outside.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Lakeland 42-7
Rod Says: Lakeland 40-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Lakeland 38-12
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#9 Bayside (1-1) at Green Run (1-1) . . .
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>One can bet
class=SpellE>Bayside's coaches and players spent a good deal of the week
preaching protection and ball security as they allowed 10 sacks and committed
three turnovers in a 37-7 loss to Salem in their real big spotlight game of the
season. Judging from last year and the
amount of big-game experience players like QB Deion Stitt,
RB Taquan 'Smoke' Mizzell,
WR Quin Blanding, LB Will Dillard and others have
accumulated over the past few seasons, they know how to bounce back from a
setback.
The Stallions have to get a couple of breakaway plays from RB
Anthony Scott and be able to make the Marlins one-dimensional like Salem
did. That's a lot easier said than done,
though. If Green Run wants to take a
giant step and make a statement that they are a contender in the Beach and at
the Division 5 level, an upset win at home here in this spot would do wonders
for them.
normal'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Bayside 27-16
Rod Says: Bayside 28-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Bayside 27-14
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#10 Western Branch (1-0) at Deep Creek (0-1) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The
Western Branch Bruins began a new era off right against the Norcom
Greyhounds, winning 27-13 in the opener for Coach Greg Gibson.
style=> Their triple-option gave the Greyhounds fits,
controlling the Time of Possession category 18:45 to 5:15 in the first half
alone as RB Josh Marriner racked up 130 yards on the
ground and a pair of touchdowns. In this
spot against a Deep Creek team that is still re-building under first-year Head
Coach Calvin Copeland, look for the Bruins to stick with their triple-option
attack, but mix in the pass more and take a few chances, use a couple other
backs to keep Marriner fresh.
style=> Deep Creek got three sacks from defensive end
Tyler Aughtman last week against Lakeland.
style=> The Hornets are still trying to identify a
go-to guy on offense, though.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Western Branch 35-0
Rod Says: Western Branch 33-7
VHSL-Reference Says: Western Branch 49-0
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
#11 Woodside (1-0) at Maury (0-1) . . .
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At Powhatan Field on
Thursday night, the Maury Commodores welcome in a Woodside Wolverines squad
that has owned this series in recent years.
Since 2007, Woodside has won all six meetings, including a 56-15 playoff
drubbing back in '09. The Commodores
gave a valiant effort against Grassfield before
losing 51-21 as the game was 21-13 midway through the second quarter when the
Grizzlies provided a couple back-breaking moments via special teams and the
return game. Davion
Taylor stood out for Maury with four grabs for 63 yards and 2TD's; he and
QB/ATH Devonte Carothers are capable of making
plays. Maury ran for 162 yards in that
game, but gave up 262 yards on the ground and turned it over three times.
style=> Woodside will run it and won't mind doing so
at will. Tyris
Walker rushed for 208 yards and 3TD's in last week's 42-3 rout of
class=SpellE>Menchville. They'll
also mix in JayQuan Lassiter and QB Darius Howell,
running out of the spread and Wing-T.
The Wolverines' offensive line is usually stout as well.
style=>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Woodside 42-12
Rod Says: Woodside 28-14
VHSL-Reference Says: Woodside 38-10
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Denbigh (0-1) at #12 Kecoughtan
(1-0) . . . The Kecoughtan Warriors got the
Alonzo Coley era off on a high note, prevailing 20-14 over the
class=SpellE>Churchland Truckers despite four interceptions out of their
passing game. Sophomore signal caller
Nick Carrera will need to show steady improvement as a huge matchup with Phoebus
looms around the corner. In this game
though, the team in the green and white can rely on the running game,
spearheaded by Trenton Cannon, who last week turned in 149 yards on the ground
and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Corbin
Baxter gave them a lift on special teams with a 62-yard punt return for a
touchdown. Denbigh has to be pleased
with the progress they showed defensively in a 12-6 loss to Booker T.
Washington where one of the Bookers' touchdowns came via an interception return
by a lineman. To break through here, WR
class=SpellE>Tyrik Burns and RB Donovan Scales will likely have to come
up with star performances.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Kecoughtan
30-6
Rod Says: Kecoughtan
21-6
VHSL-Reference Says: Kecoughtan
56-8
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Gloucester (0-1) at #13 Granby (1-0) . . .
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Dukes make a
long trip to Norfolk and Powhatan Field on Friday to take on an improving
Granby Comets squad that is hoping to keep the momentum flowing after a
surprising 45-9 result versus Great Bridge.
Granby winning that game wasn't as much surprising as the lopsided
margin as Lawrence Harris and Sidney Fulford burned
the Wildcats defense for 257 total yards and 4TD's between them.
style=> Gloucester's defense has to mount a pass rush
early in this game and get Comets QB William Smith off his timing and rhythm to
disrupt how their offense operates. If
they can do that, it will take a ton of pressure off their own offense, which
saw a slew of injuries thrust their fourth-string signal caller into action
versus Bethel. Gloucester hopefully will
have three-year starting linebacker Rickey Hayes back from a shoulder injury or
else it'll be tough sledding against a team that's brimming with confidence
right now.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Granby 41-14
Rod Says: Granby 38-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Granby 29-13
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Kempsville (1-1) at Princess Anne (0-2) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For
Princess Anne after their near win a couple weeks back over Green Run, this is
a game they are circling on the schedule as a possible victory.
style=> A couple weeks back, they led the Stallions
at the half before succumbing, 28-21.
Ocean Lakes wasn't as kind to the Cavaliers, pitching a 51-0
shutout. Shelton Beale at quarterback
will get his chances against a Kempsville defense
that has some holes. He'll need to get
class=SpellE>Javen Fiesta and Jordan Glover, his two primary wide
receivers, some touches in space early.
class=SpellE>Kempsville has been able to run the ball fairly well in two
games against Kellam and Tallwood,
who they out-lasted in triple-overtime last week.
style=> They've been able to distribute the carries
pretty well between Rashaun Johnson and Quinton
Haynes, something that if they can do again and avoid any monumental mistakes,
could wear PA down in the long run.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Kempsville
19-15
Rod Says: Princess Anne 16-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Kempsville
30-13
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Landstown (0-1) at Tallwood
(0-2) . . .
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>These are two teams that need a win badly,
and in the case of Landstown, can ill afford another
loss to keep its playoff hopes alive. In
last week's 14-7 loss to Kellam, Landstown
failed to score an offensive touchdown.
Tailback Trevon Byron accounted for their lone
touchdown on a 97-yard kickoff return.
The Eagles have to rev up their running game with Byron and
class=SpellE>Shyheim Swinson.
style=> Those two combined for 180 yards on 35
carries, and they should be capable of breaking the long run on a
class=SpellE>Tallwood defense that has given up 87 points in two games
and numerous big plays. In their
triple-overtime loss to Kempsville last week,
class=SpellE>Tallwood got one of its touchdowns on an interception
return by Rafael Moore. To upend the
Eagles, it may take a defensive score or momentum-changing play on special
teams to prevail. Defensively,
class=SpellE>Landstown has enough depth on all three levels to throw out
at the Tallwood offense and keep them at bay.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Landstown
26-9
Rod Says: Landstown
20-6
VHSL-Reference Says: Landstown
37-13
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Warwick (0-1) at Booker T. Washington (1-1) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Last
year when these two got together it was all Warwick to the tune of 39-7 as QB
Josh Butler and RB Cardon Johnson made several
plays. Butler had one game-changing run
that was reminiscent of Michael Vick in the contest.
style=> Booker T. squeaked out a win last week over
Denbigh 12-6 as d-lineman Zain Upshur returned an
interception for a touchdown early. Whichever
team's defense makes its presence felt early will give them a chance to set the
tone and control how the rest of the game plays out.
style=> To me, neither defense is real strong at this
point, but both have a playmaker in the trenches with David Smith for the
Raiders and the aforementioned Upshur of the Bookers.
style=> Booker T. stopping Warwick's two rushing
threats in Butler and Johnson might be a lot to ask, though.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Warwick 31-16
Rod Says: Warwick 28-20
VHSL-Reference Says: Warwick 33-10
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Heritage (0-1) at Norview (0-2) . . .
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The intrigue in this game
is that Heritage Coach George Massenburg and Norview
Head Coach Eddie Handsome went to school together at Virginia State.
style=> They know each other fairly well.
style=> Can Norview's defense
handle the run? After holding Hickory to
64 yards on the ground on 35 carries in which the Pilots' linebackers and
defensive linemen did a sound job, they gave up over 400 yards rushing to
Roosevelt in last Saturday's loss.
Heritage won't get too exotic offensively.
style=> Their bread and butter will be running
between the tackles with tailback Khalid Abdullah.
style=> If Norview stacks the box to defend the run,
then the Hurricanes may pop open the play-action pass with either QB Terrence
Crosby or Richard Outlaw targeting a young cast of receivers.
style=> The Pilots will lean on LB Bryce Atkins on
defense to deliver key hits and RB Cavon Bradford to
keep the chains moving.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Heritage 22-6
Rod Says: Heritage 20-13
VHSL-Reference Says: Heritage 23-17
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Wilson (0-2) at Menchville (0-1) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>These
are two very evenly matched teams not with playoff aspirations, but hoping to
get any kind of win as a morale and confidence booster in an effort of staying
out of the cellar in their respective league; Wilson in the Eastern District
and Menchville in the Peninsula District.
style=> For Wilson, the advantage they have is an
extra game under their belt as their two losses came against
class=SpellE>Norcom and Nansemond River.
They were much more competitive against their Portsmouth rival
class=SpellE>Norcom as the defense had a couple of decent stands.
style=> For Menchville,
they couldn't mustard up much offense at all in a 42-3 loss to Newport News
rival Woodside. The Monarchs do have the
better kicking game with Dillon Christopher, who has booted through a 60-yard
field goal before. If it's
close and it might be, that could be a factor.
Wilson is hoping the QB/RB duo of Derwounte
Greene and Rochelle Peebles don't let Christopher's leg come into play.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: Menchville
10-7
Rod Says: Wilson 34-28
VHSL-Reference Says: Menchville
26-6
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Indian River (0-1) at King's Fork (1-0) . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>This
series has been pretty evenly matched as of late with the teams splitting the
last six meetings. King's Fork won last
year's contest 19-16. Two weeks ago in
their narrow escape against Booker T. Washington, the
Bulldogs did a good job of running the ball to the tune of 255 yards on 66
attempts. If they can't get the ground
game going and have to throw is when their offense could have some trouble.
style=> To me, having a bye week last week was a huge
help for King's Fork because it allowed WR Davon
Grayson, an East Carolina commit, another week to get healthy from an ankle
injury. If Indian River's defense has to
worry about him and DB/RB Charles Clark, a Virginia Tech commit, consistently,
it'll pose a problem. For the Braves to
pull this one out, they have to sustain a few drives offensively with QB Daniel
Cross and RB Jaque Sawyer leading the way.
style=> Wideout Richie
Williams and TE Ronnie Tennessee of Indian River against the King's Fork DB's
is the matchup to watch and may dictate the outcome.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Matt
Says: King's Fork 20-13
Rod Says: Indian River 20-14
VHSL-Reference Says: King's Fork 28-17
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'>Matthew Hatfield
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href="http://www.virginiapreps.com">
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text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>VirginiaPreps.com
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115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>, part of the Rivals.com
href="http://www.twitter.com/hatfieldsports">
normal'>
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Hatfield's Twitter page
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> for more sports related updates,
href="http://www.suffolknewsherald.com">
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text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Suffolk News Herald
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href="mailto:hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com">
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href="http://www.espnradio941.com/">
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