The Beach District continued their march to parity [except for Landstown, Bayside and Green Run] as the 8 other teams are either 6-3 [First Colonial], 5-3 [Cox] or 4-4 [everyone else]. They've played out 8 weeks in the Beach and the only thing to say about that District that is accurate is that Landstown is better than everyone else.

Nothing has been settled in the Eastern District as we have a three-way tie for first with one week of district action left to play. I have no idea what the rules are for breaking a tie but if the NCAA Presidents are involved in any way, I suspect that some accountant with a pocket calculator will let us know who the best team is. On the field, we saw this week that Wilson was not unbeatable as they lost to Booker T. Washington who may stake a claim to being the best in the district except that they lost to Lake Taylor.

The Peninsula is just as messy with Hampton and Bethel tied at the top undefeated with Phoebus lurking one game back. All three won easily this week but have a tough road over the next two weeks.

The Southeastern is pretty easy to figure out. Western Branch is undefeated and the top team in the league and if they win their next game, they are the champs. Oscar Smith, with a win this week, wrapped up second as long as they beat Lakeland next week. Of course, the way this season has gone, it could all get muddled up in 4 days.

Booker T. Washington jumped out to a 21-0 lead in this Eastern District showdown then held off a second half 12-0 charge by Woodrow Wilson to win this critical battle. The loss drops Wilson into a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern District with Lake Taylor and Booker T. Washington.

The game was about as evenly played as a game could be. The Bookers earned 1 first downs to Wilson's 9, out gained Wilson on the ground 140 to 137, got bested through the air 42 to 44, and out gained the Presidents 182 to 181 in total yardage. The difference in this game was most likely the lost Wilson fumble [Booker T. had no turnovers] and the Presidents' 9 penalties [the Bookers had only 3].

If anyone thought that clinching the Beach District title last week would result in a letdown for Landstown, they were sorely mistaken. The Eagles built a 42-0 lead in this contest using a balanced attack that accounted for a total of 346 yards -- 127 rushing with 219 passing. Keying the offensive attack were QB TJ Mitchell and WR Jeremy Gilchrist as they have most of the season. Mitchell completed 14 of 30 passes for 219 yards and 4 touchdowns with Gilchrist on the receiving end of 5 of those passes for 103 yards. Gilchrist caught one TD and returned a punt for another in the win. Not to be overshadowed, the Eagle defense held Bayside to 102 total yards and one touchdown.

A game that was expected to be very tight was for three quarters as First Colonial led 15-14 in the third, then the Patriots scored the game's final 21 points to secure the victory. RB Antonio Roulhac starred in the game, running for 201 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns to keep the Patriots playoff chances on life support. Patriots Coach Sam Scarborough feels that recent losses provided some motivation, saying "losing two games straight I didn't like. But we refocused and have been playing pretty steady, hard nosed ball since."

Kempsville scored 19 of their 28 points in the second half to extend the Green Run losing streak to 39 consecutive games. The Chiefs defense showed the strength that they had earlier in the season as they limited the Stallions to -21 yards rushing and only 34 total yards in the game. On the other side of the ball, RB James Newby rumbled for 156 yards on the ground while Rodney Mitchell threw for 104 yards on 6 of 10 passing which was the first time that the Chiefs had exceeded the 100-yard mark through the air this season.

The Kellam Knights gained all 240 yards that they generated in this game on the ground as RB Demetrius Taylor carried 18 times for 105 yards and Justin Gibbs tacked on 61 yards on 13 carries. I really wish that the Knights were named the Cows or the Chucks so that I could hang one of those witty nicknames like Ground Beef or Ground Chuck or something like that on them. Football, more than any other sport, features those types of things. Off the top of my head, I can come up with several: the Steel Curtain, the Purple People Eaters, the New York Sack Exchange, the Greatest Show on Turf, and on and on. Maybe some of you could send me some ideas for the area teams?

rjohn09@hotmail.com?Click here to submit ideas! Kellam Coach Chris DeWitt said "I am still waiting for our offense to have a break out game," but felt that his defense should be receive some accolades as they "stayed after them all night."

Ever hear the phrase "there's two ways to skin a cat"? I never understood that! I mean, I hate cats as much as any red-blooded American male but do we really need to skin them? And was it so common that there were various ways to do it and that it was so common that the phrase become well-known? Well, there's two ways to move a football, ground or air. Ocean Lakes chose the ground gaining all 261 of their yards by rushing. Salem chose the air, gaining 196 of their 238 yards via the pass. In this instance, the rushing attack won as Ocean Lake's Scottie McGee totaled 215 yards on 27 carries and scored both Dolphins TDs outshining Salem's wideout Teyron Burden who caught 5 passes for 131 yards and the Sun Devils lone score.

Maury scored 74 points in their first five games [all losses] then scored 99 in the next three [all wins]. The 43 that they posted in this game was a season high as was the 306 yards that they threw for against Churchland. Remember the names Kam Chancellor and Demetrius Buie as the QB/WR combo will be returning next season as will many of the young Commodores. Chancellor and Buie connected 4 times for 135 yards and 2 TDs in this game as past of Chancellor's 12 of 18 for 265 yards and 3 TDs night. Maury Coach Todd Mitchell also spared no expense in praising his defense saying "I am very proud of my defense and what it has been the entire year."

The Granby Comets had their most balanced night on offense as the running game totaled 98 yards to the passing's 69. QB Bobby Rome was efficient throwing only 8 times but completing 5 for 169 yards. Wideout Chris Bell set the tone early in this one scoring 3 TDs in the first quarter beginning with an 82-yard kickoff return, then a 67-yard reception, then finally a 42-yard reception helping push Granby to their 37-7 halftime lead. His WR counterpart, Bryan Ayala made 3 catches for 60 yards and 2 TDs.

A loss to Granby a few weeks back seems to have transformed Lake Taylor as they produced a season-high 56 points last week and a season-high 415 yards of offense this week. Running backs Purnell Sturdivant and David Thomas led the charge rushing for 143 and 88 yards respectively and WR Santonyo Jones chipped in 82 yards receiving on 3 catches. QB Jamar Johnson ran for two TDs and threw for a third leading the scoring in this game as the Titans moved into a three-way tie for the Eastern District title with Wilson [who they play next week] and Booker T. Washington.

The Bethel Bruins continue their roll as they shut out the Denbigh Patriots which gives the Bruins eight straight quarters without allowing a score. The Bruin attack was again led by their running backs as Ladarius Adams rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries while Chaz Batchelor accounted for 126 on 9 rushes and they combined for 3 TDs.

The Gloucester Dukes nearly won their homecoming game as they led 7-6 with less that 4 minutes to play when the Heritage Hurricanes scored on a double pass to pull out the victory. Gloucester Coach Paul White was proud of his team but felt that there were too many missed opportunities, "We were inside the 30 yard line several times and came out without a score. We played well enough to win, but mistakes were the problem." RB Junior Marsh had a big night with 37 carries for 208 yards.

Hampton's number one-ranked defense has been among the area's best all season and their counterparts on offense are now catching up to them having scored 122 points in the last two games. The Crabbers racked up over 340 yards for their third consecutive game as QB Mike Roberts completed 10 of 16 passes for 132 yards and the Crabber runners accumulated 193. Hampton's defense completed their fourth shutout in eight games reducing their points per game average to a Region-best 3.88 by holding Menchville to -61 yards rushing.

Kecoughtan won what was expected to be a tight game going away by hitting on several big plays rebounding from their loss to Bethel last weekend. A 50-yard bomb from LaShae McMillan to Kelvin Irving set up their first score and a McMillan 39-yard scramble set up their second score which was a McMillan 35-yard TD pass to Tyree Barnes, leading to a Warrior 12-0 halftime lead. Jerod Mayo rushed for 170 yards on the day but it was his 12-yard interception return for a TD that made the score 27-0 that put the game away. The Warriors tacked on a 72 yard TD from McMillan to Irving for the final score as Kecoughtan kept their playoff hopes alive. Kecoughtan Coach Tommy Austin described it as the "best all-around game of the season." He added "today, we got big plays and drives and that's what we've needed all year."

I'll be honest, I can't think of any more words to describe Elan Lewis accurately. 'Awesome' has been used to much, 'talented' is not strong enough, and 'outstanding' is over-used. Here's the best way to illustrate how good he is -- as I was watching 'Friday Night Flights' on Wavy 10 that night, I jumped out of bed upon seeing the spin move that he used to score on a 30-yard run against the Raiders. Literally, jumped out of bed! Phoebus Coach Stan Sexton calls it "the best move I have ever seen." Lewis finished that game with 32 carries for 305 yards and 6 touchdowns leading a Phoebus offense that piled up a season-high 529 yards. Sexton credited Lewis, of course, but was quick to add "the offensive line was just awesome. Anthony Robinson, Xavier Little, John Marshall, Robert Edwards, Thomas Johnson, and Garrett Powell, just made gaping holes in Warwick's defensive line." The Phantoms scored 14 points in the first, second and fourth quarters and added a TD in the third for their 49 points.

Western Branch led 20-3 before Great Bridge scored to cut the lead to 20-10 seemingly making the game

interesting before the Bruins scored the next three touchdowns putting the game out of reach as they led 49-23 at the half. The Bruins 661 total yards of offense was the highest total posted in the Region this season. Among the stars were QB Ryan Pond [15 of 21 for 275 yards and 4 TDs], FB Dominic Scott [8 carries, 75 yards, 3 TDs], and WR Kien Windley [8 catches for 202 yards], but it was RB Devin Fentress who shone the brightest compiling 195 yards rushing on a mere 6 touches, a whopping 32.5 yards per carry! Coach Lew Johnston said "Kien was very good but the one I was most pleased with was Devin Fentress. 6 touches for 195 yards!!! We were really clicking on all cylinders.

Hickory led 21-7 before Nansemond River scored 2 touchdowns but failed to convert on the point after attempts as the Hawks won this game by two points. Hickory's Ronnell Brown scored 2 TDs and ran for 47 yards on 12 carries to lead the Hawks while Trayce McPherson ran for 193 yards on 24 carries and 2 TDs in the loss.

The Oscar Smith Tigers looked every bit ready for the playoffs as they shut out the high scoring Indian River Braves in this contest. Along with allowing no scores, Oscar Smith held Brave RB Brandon Ore to 8 yards on 7 carries. Coach Rich Morgan noted "We had a game plan to stop Brandon Ore and it worked. We probably played a perfect defensive game." Indian River Coach Cadillac Harris stated simply "we didn't score so we didn't do what we needed to do." The Tigers offense was led by RB Matthew Scott who ran for 182 yards on 25 carries and 1 touchdown and Morgan described Scott as "a warrior, the best player in the District." Morgan was "very proud of our kids after Friday. Our discipline and control kept us level headed and focused on the task at hand and we played with great passion." Coach Harris said that in big games "whether you play college or pro, penalties and turnovers will kill you. This is a game of whoever makes the fewer mistakes and they did a better job of taking care of the ball." There is some bad news from the Oscar Smith camp as WR Dexter Manley has broken a bone in his wrist and will be out of action at least a few weeks, Coach Morgan says "Hopefully he won't need a screw put in and he can just get a soft cast and be back in time for the Regional Championship game."

Deep Creek cruised out to a 27-0 lead as they won and prepare to face Western Branch next week in a big 'Rivalry Game'. The Hornet defense swarmed Lakeland, allowing only 115 yards of total offense while the offense was paced by Kishaun Jones who scored 3 times and led a rushing attack that racked up 242 yards.

Stat of the Week...144 The total number of points scored by Phoebus' Elan Lewis with his 24 touchdowns on the season which is a higher total than

17 TEAMS in the Eastern Region.

Quote of the Week... "In November and December games are won with Defense and a productive running game. We had both Friday and we need to continue that in the next month in order to attain our goals." -- Oscar Smith Coach Rich Morgan discussing the future of his team

Other Stuff...

**I like the program at Kecoughtan High School as their coaches and players have been nothing but cooperative whether win or lose and the team plays hard every night out. That is why it was so painful to see that less than 100 people showed up for their game with Woodside on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Todd Stadium in Newport News. Come on Warriors fans, your team is on the field fighting for their playoff lives, and where were you? Tickets are only $5!

**Replacing the ESPN Sportscenter theme as the most overplayed song by area bands, is 'Crazy in Love' by Beyonce and Jay-Z. There has literally been hundreds of thousands of songs written, how is it that the music directors all pick the same 30 songs year in and year out? Do they hold some preseason conference where they select their extremely limited playlists? Why not hold a draft where schools claim exclusive rights to particular songs? Am I the only one paying attention to this?

**Since I didn't get a Master's Degree in Crazy Mathematical Formulas, I have no idea how to figure out the possible scenarios that have to happen for certain teams to make the playoffs this season so let's just say that you have to win to get in.