Hargrave (0-2) at Covenant (2-1), 4 p.m.
The Basics: Covenant was just a handful of points from picking up a critical win over Virginia Episcopal last week but, the Eagles came up short on the road. Now they’ll need to bounce back fast against a Hargrave team still searching for an identity. The Tigers got the ball moving in the hurry-up offense last week against Blue Ridge in an eight-point loss. Generally that could be trouble for the Eagles’ small roster, but they’ve proven adept at controlling the ball offensively early in the year with the option attack’s grind it out approach. If they can hold onto the ball on offense and let the defense get some rest, it’ll help mitigate the potential impact of the Tigers’ hurry-up.
Key matchup: Hargrave’s defense tries to contain Covenant playmaker Quane Washington. The Tigers struggled to contain Blue Ridge’s Malik Johnson and Scott Spencer last week. Washington, who had an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown last week, presents some similar problems and Hargrave will have to step it up against the Eagles.
Who to watch: Covenant’s Rick Weaver. The eighth grader who burst onto the scene in the Eagles’ opener with a blocked punt that he took to the house came up with a pair of sacks last week in the narrow loss to Virginia Episcopal. Along with Josh Huemme who had eight tackles, they’re part of an emerging Covenant defense that has looked good early.
The line: Covenant by 1. Eagles bounce back against Hargrave but it won’t be easy as the Tigers have several speedy pieces on offense.
Stafford (0-2) at Albemarle (0-1), 7 p.m. (RADIO: 1400 WKAV)
The basics: The Indians are coming off a loss to King George just a week after nearly pulling off a big win over James Monroe. The Patriots ran into the buzzsaw that is Massaponax, struggling to slow down that vaunted offense. However, Albemarle was able to get a few things rolling on offense, particularly in the second half. For Albemarle, what happens in the out-of-district play isn’t all too important except that should the Patriots want to show well if they qualify for the playoffs, its these former Commonwealth District teams that they’ll have to eventually figure out. Massaponax is one thing, but Stafford is another. The Indians are an even match for the Patriots. It’ll be interesting to see if Albemarle responds in a big way here.
Key matchup: Albemarle’s secondary vs. the Stafford wide receiving corps. When the Indians have been successful against Albemarle, it’s always been because of their athleticism on the edges. The times that the Patriots have met that challenge out in space, they’ve come away happy. While they’re still working things out defensively, Albemarle has some pieces up front to create havoc at the line of scrimmage and in all likelihood, put it’s secondary in position to create turnovers. The Indians are going to want to test this unit. Something is going to have to give.
Who to watch: Albemarle’s Nemo Lesesane. The big defensive tackle is the key up front. The Patriots gave up 615 yards on the ground last week, and this defense, particularly upfront, will look to turn that around. Lesesane and the line have to keep quarterback Garret Cropp contained. He’s a hard runner and can extend plays. Is Lesesane gets into the pocket and gets pressure, this defense will look night and day different from last week.
The line: Albemarle by 3. The Patriots always play the Indians close and homefield advantage is the difference here.
Buckingham (1-0) at Amelia County (2-0), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Knights are coming off their bye a week after handling Appomattox on the road. The Raiders are coming off a second straight shutout, the latest over Charles City. Amelia’s been rebuilding since its truly impressive 2011 campaign and it looks like the James River District has finally found some added depth again to help Buckingham and Goochland better prepare themselves for the playoffs. The Knights are in the meat of their schedule despite the bye week. The Appomattox win, this road trip and the road trip to Goochland in two weeks are the critical pieces to their schedule. A good showing here by Buckingham means this team, despite it being early in the year, has its 2013 form back and ready to roll.
Key matchup: Buckingham’s secondary versus Amelia quarterback William Green. The Raiders’ signal caller can make a lot of plays off the read out this offense’s pistol look. The Knights corners and safeties can’t bite on the run and get beat deep, especially with Buckingham being such a run-heavy team right now. Big plays are a killer for a team that thrives on long drives and pounding the football. So if the Knights’ secondary limits Amelia in the passing game, this should be a really interesting game.
Who to watch: Buckingham’s Leon Ragland. It’s easy to pick Ragland because of his 205 rushing yards in the season opener, but he’s also a two-way player. The Knights need him to make plays on the defensive side of the ball almost more than on offense. Running back Tariq Gough showed he’s willing and ready to carry the brunt of the load offensively already as a sophomore. He can succeed there to limit the number of carries Ragland has to take and keep him fresh defensively, that will be huge. Ragland has the most experience in the secondary and will be needed to lead that group.
The line: Amelia by 1. The Panthers get the edge based on their schedule and where the game is being played, in their own house but Buckingham could easily steal this one–and it’d be a huge lift.
Goochland (1-1) at Bluestone (1-1), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Bulldogs fell hard to Fork Union last week after an impressive win over Essex the week before. The Barons rebounded from a loss to Park View with a 1-possesion win over Greensville County. As is always the case, you never want to be the team facing Goochland the week after a loss because the Bulldogs rarely drop two games in a row. The challenge that Fork Union gave Goochland will be beneficial down the road as this defense looks to shore up its tackling and be more consistent overall.
Key matchup: Goochland’s offensive line versus the Bluestone front seven. This unit had its hands full with the Blue Devils defense last week. Eight different runners toted the ball for the Bulldogs and none of them did better than finish with 26 yards, and the total rushing yards on the night were just 102. Goochland’s never won with the rushing total that low. The offensive line needs to play the way it did in week one against Essex, particularly in the second half of that game to give this team its identity back as a hard-nosed running team.
Who to watch: Goochland’s backfield. Jordan Jefferson is going to find a way to make a difference, whether as a runner or a receiver. But who’s going to step up as the every down kind of back this team has thrived on for years. Look for Isaiah Minor and/or Kevonte Cosby to rebound put together a good showing here. If one or both do so, Goochland’s offense gets rolling again.
The line: Goochland by 14. The Bulldogs respond on the road and shake off last week.
Louisa County (1-0) at Courtland (1-1), 7 p.m.
The Basics: Louisa had a week off last week after beating Spotsylvania 14-2, and odds are good the week break helped the Lions continue to improve as they adjust to the return of Mark Fischer. But certain phases of the game Louisa looked pretty solid two weeks ago, with D’Jon Shelton emerging as a strong running threat for the Lions with 114 yards on 14 touches. If Deion Jackson and Trey Cherry can both kick things up a notch on the ground, it’ll go a long way toward giving Louisa the multi-pronged ground attack its looking for. After suffering a season opening blowout at the hands of Massaponax, Courtland beat Riverbend 40-14, and the Cougars have some dynamic, exciting playmakers that could give Louisa problems.
Key matchup: Louisa’s secondary contends with Courtland’s Jeremy Hokenson. Hokenson broke out as a big playmaker for the Cougars last week against Riverbend, including a 97-yard catch and run for a touchdown. Louisa’s secondary has some talented players roaming back there, but they’ll have their hands full with Hokenson.
Who to watch: Louisa’s Marcus Jackson. Jackson was all over the field against Spotsylvania two weeks ago, making six tackles including two for a loss.
The line: Courtland by 10. Playing the Cougars on the road could prove too tall of a task for the Lions who are still putting the pieces together.
Nelson County (1-1) at Riverheads (1-0), 7 p.m.
The Basics: The long wait is over. After an 0-10 season in 2013, Nelson County picked up its first victory in a long time against Page County Friday, giving the Governors a critical boost as they continue through the schedule. But Riverheads is a stout, tough bunch who beat Covington 49-26 last week and is coming off a year where they beat Goochland in the state playoffs before falling to Giles in the state semifinals.While they employ a power-running style, last week quarterback Kendall Casto got things going through the air with three touchdown passes in the victory.
Key matchup: Nelson’s front seven takes on a typically technically sound Riverheads offensive line. The Governors struggled against Luray’s offensive line in the season opener, and Riverheads’ group is tougher and more technically sound. The Governors have their work cut out for them.
Who to watch: It has to be Ray Chambers again. Nelson County’s do-it-all standout picked off a pass in the secondary last week in the win over Page and the Governors will look to him again to stay in it with powerful Riverheads.
The line: Riverheads by 17. The Governors ended a long slide against Page last week, but the Gladiators will prove to be too much this week.
Western Albemarle (2-0) at Fort Defiance (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Basics: Western isn’t blowing anyone out right now — the Warriors are having to work for everything they’re getting, but clearly they’re alright with that because they’ve battled, fought and clawed to a pair of wins. Against Fort Defiance this week they’ll look to pick up a little more momentum against a squad that’s stumbling out of the gate. If the Western offense can catch up to a defense that has been solid so far, the Warriors are just going to get more dangerous as the year goes on.
Key matchup: Fort Defiance’s defense takes on an improved Western ground attack. Oliver Herndon went for 135 yards on just nine touches last week and Fort Defiance was subpar against the run last week, surrendering 353 yards to Stuarts Draft in a 42-13 loss.
Who to watch: Western’s Sam Hearn. Hearn took a big step forward last week with 136 yards and two touchdowns 7-for-15 passing after a shaky start. If he can keep improving and keep picking up wins, it’ll go a long way toward getting the Western offense hitting on all cylinders.
The line: Western Albemarle by 10. Warriors’ defense should suffocate a Fort Defiance team that hasn’t proven to be particularly potent on offense.
Blue Ridge (1-1) at Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot (0-3), 7 p.m.
The Basics: Blue Ridge got the job done last week against Hargrave, winning a 42-34 shootout with the Tigers while finding a way to overcome fatigue problems that plagued them against Christchurch in the season opener. Now with a handful of players joining the squad after arriving on campus on the first day of school, Blue Ridge should be in position to start building some serious momentum. They’ve already identified some key playmakers like Scott Spencer and Malik Johnson, and as Trevor Eaton settles in at quarterback it seems likely he’ll get even more of the squad’s talented skill players involved in the passing game.
Key matchup: Blessed Sacrament’s secondary takes on Eaton. Eaton has showed some early promise as the signal caller for the Barons, completing more than 50 percent of his passes and tossing four touchdowns in two games while being intercepted just twice. Blessed Sacrament struggled mightily against North Cross’ Max Revercomb last week as the North Cross senior threw for 317 yards on 21-of-43 passing against the Knights. Eaton could give them problems again.
Who to watch: Blue Ridge’s Malik Johnson. Last week in the win over Hargrave, Johnson got it done on the ground and through the air, rushing for 161 yards and three touchdowns while also catching a touchdown pass as part of a 45 receiving yard effort. Ig Blessed Sacrament is going to beat Blue Ridge, they’ve got little choice but to find a way to contain Johnson.
The line: Blue Ridge by 10. Blue Ridge is too dynamic offensively to let the Knights slow them down.
Madison County (0-1) at Culpeper (0-1), 7 p.m.
The basics: The Mountaineers were just a play away from coming into this meeting 1-0 instead of 0-1, but that’s not how it turned out as they fell in their opener with Luray. The Blue Devils also lost last week, following up their 1-point loss to Central Lunenburg with a 35-14 loss to Charlottesville. This is a good challenge for Madison. Culpeper has struggled against the run defensively and the Mountaineers are looking to build upon that part of their game.
Key matchup: Madison’s secondary vs. Culpeper quarterback Jeremy Robson. When the Blue Devils have been successful its been behind Robson’s arm as he was responsible for both TDs against Charlottesville. The Mountaineers might be young at corner and safety, but it’s also arguably where it’s talent potential is deepest. Isaiah and Chris Smith and Drew Twyman have a chance here to make plays in a big way.
Who to watch: Madison’s Gabriel Farmer. With James Graves at quarterback and the two Smiths and Twyman at receiver, the running game for the Mountaineers has to come to life and capitalize. Farmer had 41 yards on 11 carries last week. Coach Stuart Dean wants to run the ball, and he showed it last week as Graves threw 27 passes but seven different runners split 36 carries. Farmer had the most success and it wasn’t on just one long run. If he has a big game against this Culpeper defense then Graves and the passing game should really shine on the big play ability that exists there.
The line: Madison by 1. The Mountaineers thrive behind their youth on defense and steal one here.
STAB (2-0) at Bishop Sullivan (2-1), 7 p.m.
The basics: This is a big one for the Saints. Sure, it’s early in the season, but Bishop Sullivan, who dealt the Saints two of their losses a year ago during the Crusaders’ state championship run should provide STAB with a tremendous measuring stick so they can figure out just how far they’ve come. STAB hung early in the state semifinals last year with a Bishop Sullivan squad that was more loaded than this year’s edition, but there are still a lot of moving parts to contend with against the Crusaders. If STAB can put together the two offensive elements that lead them to victory the last two weeks (an electric passing game against Norfolk Academy and a productive run game against Christchurch), the Saints could be very dangerous down at the beach.
Key matchup: Bishop Sullivan quarterback Blake Larussa takes on the STAB secondary. The Saints have a lot of speed and talent in the secondary and with a quarterback as productive as Larussa, who torched the Crusaders’ schedule for 3,794 yards and 52 touchdowns last season. But he doesn’t have current UVa wideout Jamil Kamara to throw to this year and it showed against Benedictine who exploded for a 49-13 win last week against the Crusaders. Jalen Harrison, Kareem Johnson and Brodie Phillips will need to step up in the defensive backfield.
Who to watch: STAB’s Jake Allen. A few years ago, Allen was starting as a freshman quarterback for the Saints. Now as a senior, he’s making an impact at running back, breaking out with 93 yards last week to give the Saints’ ground attack some punch.
The line: Bishop Sullivan by 3. On the road against the defending state champs will be a tough task for the Saints, but they’ll be in this one for sure and may have a chance to snag it late.
Fork Union (1-1) at Monticello (1-0), 7:30 p.m. (RADIO: WINA)
The Basics: Sure, this one won’t impact the standings for the Mustangs. But when two of the area’s most consistently strong programs lock up, it’s definitely going to be worth seeing. This one pits two of the area’s most prolific and exceptional running backs in FUMA’s Rashon Torrence and Monticello’s Kyree Koonce against each other. Both are very capable, dangerous tailbacks who could break the game open at any time. Torrence’s performance was a big reason the Blue Devils snagged a win over Goochland last week while Koonce went for more than 100 yards on just three carries against George Wythe, with all three going for touchdowns. The Blue Devils are leaning on Julius Puryear at quarterback with Sam Allen’s sickness throwing a wrench into the plans, but Puryear looked strong
Key matchup: Monticello’s defense takes on the dynamic trio of Torrence, Puryear and Lewis Freeman. This is a measuring stick opportunity for the Mustangs’ defense, who struggled last year to stop Fork Union in a shootout. By the end of last year, the Mustangs had improved drastically defensively and return many of those standouts like Griffin Davis and Rashad Brooks in the front seven. Freeman emerged as a top target for Puryear last week, and he’ll be a challenge for the Monticello secondary that includes Darian Bates and Michael Crenshaw.
Who to watch: Monticello’s Daniel Hummel. The bottom line is that this is the first time Hummel is likely to be under fire. The first year starter was impressive during preseason scrimmages and he seems to have a lot of the tools to be successful this season. Fork Union’s improved defense will be a big test for the Mustangs’ signal-caller.
The line: Monticello by 1. Mustangs have too much offensive firepower for the Blue Devils, but they’d be foolish to take this much-improved FUMA squad lightly. This is going to be a battle.
Eastern View (2-0) at Orange County (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The Cyclones are off and running, following up a quick win over Charlottesville with a solid win over Chancellor. The Hornets look to dig up something on either side of the ball after a 55-0 loss on the road to Liberty Bealeton. You could make the case that this is the last team on the schedule that the Hornets would want for a season opener, but here it is, like it or not if you’re Orange. The Hornets have to play next to perfect to make this a game as Eastern View has been pretty close to that to open up the year.
Key matchup: Until someone slows him down, it’s every team’s front seven versus Eastern View running back Kendrick Kube.
He had 216 yards against Chancellor. Add that to his 413 total against Charlottesville and he’s on pace for over 3,100 yards this year. He’s physical, he’s fast, he makes the right reads and he has a talented offensive line blocking for him. The bottom line here for Orange is that it absolutely has to bring Kube down the second any defender gets a chance because if that doesn’t happen, Kube could quickly be in the endzone.
Who to watch: Orange’s Nick Morgan. With the Hornets managing just three first downs last week and under 50 yards of total offense, they’ll need Morgan to be able to step in at quarterback and get the ball into its playmaker, Keith Ellis’ hands. It’s the best chance this team has at trying to keep pace with Kube on the other sideline.
The line: Eastern View by 21. Tough matchup for Orange, but really anyone. The Cyclones are for real.
William Monroe (1-0) at Broadway (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
The basics: The Dragons gave coach John Rocha a debut win over Spotswood. The Gobblers took a week off after falling by three points to Millbrook the week before. If the Dragons show well or win this game, they are in business again circa 2011. Monroe has the playmakers on offense to do it. Broadway stuggled defensively in its first week, but comes in well rested, and should also be well prepared.
Key matchup: Broadway’s linebacking corps versus Monroe running backs Cody Perkins and Tylek Burley. It’s not thunder and lighning, it’s different versions of lightning. Perkins’ evasive style makes him problematic in the middle of the field, a true challenge on the horizontal end of things and a chain mover, while Burley has the speed to go the distance if the hole is there. The Gobbles have to filter through the play-action and misdirection Monroe runs. Both backs are key in the passing game too. You can’t key in on just one, you have to account for both and play to their styles which isn’t easy with an experienced line in front of them.
Who to watch: Monroe’s Greg Sizemore. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, the sophomore has the makings of being the wild-card receiver of this offense. He had a touchdown last week and if he and junior quarterback Dustin Knight develop chemistry, particularly in the redzone, this offense has all the tools it could want.
The line: Monroe by 3. It’s on the road, but this Dragons defense played so well last week. That paired with Monroe’s diversity on offense gives them the advantage.
