Stories

Into full swing

Here’s the first full weekend of football games in Central Virginia.

Monticello (0-0) at Albemarle (0-0) 7 p.m.

The Basics: Another season opener pitting crosstown rivals in Monticello and Albemarle leads off the first full slate of action, with the Mustangs coming in looking strong while Albemarle is back at square one with new head coach Mike Alley. The Mustangs are likely to lean heavily on the run game early, and that should be a physical challenge from the opening kick for Albemarle’s young, inexperienced squad. The Patriots’ players do know how to win — the junior varsity has been successful the last couple of years — but making the transition to varsity is a tough one, particularly in Alley’s new system. Lee Carneal will be put to the test early as Albemalre’s new quarterback, and Michael Bernadino, a tough linebacker, will need to lead the way on defense.

Key matchup: The battle up front. Monticello has a big, powerful offensive front, but they’ll need to come together quickly in a hostile environment. Albemarle will have to battle that front in order to slow down the Monticello rushing attack and Jesse Ayres. Ayres and that offensive line are looking to pick up where they left off in last year’s finale where he had 230 yards and five touchdowns.

Player to watch: There might be one here, might be two. With the running game in good hands with Ayres carrying the ball, Monticello’s quarterback situation was still a question mark going into camp. Will we see Tyler Moneymaker, who began last season as the starter or Jahlil Mosley, a sophomore signal-caller. Or a little of both?

Line: Monticello by 7. Mustangs have the edge in experience and have won five of the last six against Albemarle.

STAB (0-0) at Bishop Sullivan (1-0) 4 p.m.

The Basics: This is an interesting Division 2 matchup right out of the gate for the Saints. Bishop Sullivan out of Virginia Beach is the biggest school population-wise in the newly aligned divisions, and only had a single loss last year before a flu epidemic at the school derailed the season. Sullivan finished the year with three straight losses, but before the flu they’d beaten eventual Division 2 champion Nansemond Suffolk, who knocked off Blue Ridge in the title game. STAB should be ready to roll though with athletes across the board, and things should go, at the very least, more smoothly than last year’s opener against Fork Union’s mammoth linemen.

Key matchup: St. Anne’s’ wealth of linebackers takes on Bishop Sullivan’s Jeffrey Swoope. Swoope, the Crusaders’ lead running back, rolled up 131 yards last week including two long touchdown runs against an overmatched Isle of Wright defense. With STAB’s linebacking corps loaded this season, Swoope likely won’t find the going as easy this week.

Player to watch: St. Anne’s running back Branford Rogers. STAB is going to run the ball, then run it, then run it again, especially with a new quarterback under center. Rogers will likely carry the load for the Saints.

Line: St. Anne’s by 7. STAB sends an early message to the rest of Division 2.

Atlantic Shores (1-0) at Covenant (0-1) 4 p.m.

The Basics: If Covenant wants to contend for a Division 3 title this year, the Eagles are going to have to find a way to slow down the running game. Norfolk Christian had two backs rush for over 100 yards against the Eagles in Virginia Beach last week, with Kwontie Moore going for 151 yards and Breon Bailey went for another 115 on the ground. Jaquay Hall is Atlantic Shores’ top threat—he rushed for 101 yards on just four carries last week as the Seahawks rolled 39-0 over Division 4 Broadwater Academy. The Eagles stumbled against Norfolk Christian, but if they can settle down at home and get their own ground game going with Chris Shifflett and Fred O’Connor, Covenant could bounce back in a big way.

Key matchup: Covenant’s defensive front four against Atlantic Shores’ tough linemen. The Eagles will have to contend with two savvy, experienced linemen in 280-pound senior Tim Agreste and 240-pound junior Gabe Sigmon.

Player to watch: Covenant’s Lee Coppock. The senior quarterback threw for three touchdowns and 210 yards last week, and he’ll need to fuel the attack again this week to open things up for Shifflett and O’Connor.

Line: Covenant by 3. The Eagles have shaken off the rust — now they get headed in the right direction with a big win over Atlantic Shores.

Western Albemarle (1-0) at Turner Ashby (0-0) 7:30 p.m.

The Basics: Last season, Western’s win over Turner Ashby represented a change in the perception of the Warriors. Instantly, a win over the Knights, who went on to the Region III semifinals, vaulted Western into the discussion as one of the area’s top teams. A year later, Turner Ashby is looking well-fortified even with the graduation of quarterback and Massanutten District defensive player of the year Kyle Linn, now at James Madison. Western will need a more well-rounded offensive effort against the Knights, but that’ll be a tall task with a still-banged up line.

Key matchup: Western’s secondary against Turner Ashby’s quarterback. The Warriors’ inexperienced defensive backs largely helped on run support against ground-oriented Waynesboro last week, but Turner Ashby should bring a little more balance to the table with Trent Hart or Chase Miller under center. Can Western rise to the occasion?

Player to watch: Western Albemarle’s Nathan Johnson. Johnson, the Warriors’ returning starter at center and defensive line, was out last week but could be back in the lineup. That’ll put the Warriors a step closer to reclaiming the line that was projected to start the season.

Line: Turner Ashby by 3. Western is still pretty banged up and the Knights are out for revenge after last year’s big loss.

Madison County (0-0) at Fluvanna County (1-0) 7:30 p.m.

The Basics: Fluvanna got the Jason Barnett era started off in the right way, knocking off Prince Edward with a strong rushing attack. This week will be a big test though with Madison County coming to town. The Mountaineers, who were hit hard by graduation, looked great in the passing game against Orange County, and they may have a little more in the tank than first thought. Fluvanna will need another strong performance out of its offense while Madison’s defense needs to take a step forward after struggling against the Orange County passing attack.

Key matchup: Madison’s Rashad Bolden and the Fluvanna secondary. Bolden scorched Orange County for a pair of long touchdowns in last week’s benefit game, and Fluvanna would be wise to keep an eye on the electric pass catcher.

Player to watch: Fluvanna’s Ben Markiewicz. The elusive junior running back gives the Flucos’ offense another dimension and forces defenses to divide their focus between he and T.J. Dudley in the run game. If he continues to produce, Fluvanna can be a big factor.  

Line: Push. Fluvanna gets a slight edge because they’re at home, but Madison has some big play ability in the fold.

Eastern View (1-0) at Louisa County (0-0) 7:30 p.m.

The Basics: This should be an absolute dandy in Mineral. This was a turnover-heavy, 2-point game last year with the Lions coming out on top. It’s the season opener for Louisa while the Cyclones hammered Culpeper County 46-6 last week. There’s been a lot of speculation as to who the favorite is in the Jefferson District. A win here would show that the Lions are prepared to be that team.

Key matchup: Louisa’s secondary versus Eastern View quarterback Simon Pendleton. Pendleton went off last week for 251 yards through the air last week. The Lions have a mean front seven, but in order for those defenders to do their job, the secondary is going to have lock down the Cyclone passing attack.

Who to watch: Chris Colvin. The talented linebacker had a whale of game last year, racking up eight tackles (four solo, four assisted) and three sacks. If he disrupts the backfield, the secondary’s job should get exponentially easier.

SP line: Louisa by 3. Tight game, but Lions have all their toys back and it’s going to be awfully tough for the Cyclones early as Louisa will be completely jacked to finally start the year.

Nelson County (0-0) at Buckingham County (1-0) 7:30 p.m.

The Basics: There’s talk that this rivalry is in its last year, which would be a shame. The Governors begin their regular season with a road trip to Dillwyn. The Knights, on the other hand, are happy to be back home after gutting out a defensive battle in their 13-6 victory at Appomattox last week. Buckingham watched a lot of young palyers step up to plate in the win, and after a tough 2009 season, Nelson is hoping its youth can do the same.

Key matchup: Nelson’s front four against Buckingham running back Maurice Taylor. The Governors need the big guys up front to make some contact with Taylor early, because once the speedy back gets to that next level he chews up yardage with ease.

Who to watch: Governors defensive lineman Morgan Barker. Just how successful the senior is in the trenches should dictate whether the Knights lean on Taylor all game or ask quarterback Tarian Ayers to take matters into his own hands.

SP line: Buckingham by 7. The Knights defense was more than impressive last week, allowing just 113 total yards while also forcing two fourth quarter interceptions.

Chancellor (0-0) at Orange County (0-0) 7:30 p.m.

The Basics: The Hornets get the Battlefield District champs to start the year. Orange looked sharp offensively last week in its benefit game against Madison, but struggled in the secondary against the pass while taking the wind out of the Mountaineers rushing attack. The Chargers play old fashioned football and are coming off a 9-3 season in which they won a playoff game.

Key matchup: Orange’s offensive line versus the Chancellor blitz. The Hornets know that linebacker Josh Ernest and company are going to be coming for their quarterback Cameron Hughes.

Who to watch: Orange County’s Rodney Carroll. The 6-foot-6 offensive lineman will be responsible for keeping Hughes safe so he can get the ball to his dangerous receivers.

SP line: Chancellor by 3. The Chargers have dominated the last two contests, but Orange looked good against the run last week which should help against Chancellor’s triple option offense.

East Rockingham (0-1) at William Monroe (0-0) 7:30 p.m.

The Basics: The second season under Mark Sanford begins for the Greene Dragons with the Eagles at Dragon fest. This is East Rockingham’s first year in football. Last week Spotswood thumped the Eagles 42-0. Interestingly enough, Spotswood is the school that the majoirty of East Rockingham students attended before their new school opened its doors. That won’t be lost on Sanford. If there’s any coach that knows what it’s like to build a program from the ground up, it’s him.

Key matchup: East Rockingham’s linebacking corps versus Monroe running back Logan Forloines. The Eagles got burned on the edges against the run last week, and they’ll have to shore that up against the Dragons who have no qualms about keeping the ball on the ground as often as possible.

Who to watch: Monroe’s Zach Cummings. It will be interesting to see how much Cummings and fellow offensive linemen have improved after a full year of an intensive strength and conditioning program. If they get the job done up front, Forloines should have a healthy stat line.

SP line: Monroe by 5. Dragon Fest ends on a high note.

R.E. Lee (0-0) at Charlottesville (0-0) 7:30 p.m.

The Basics: The Black Knights put up a good fight early against the Leeman last year in their road loss. R.E. Lee is coming off it’s fourth straight season with a  playoff win. Charlottesville is enduring a change of guard at a number of positions. This is hardly the team you would want to play when your enduring soem turnover, but the Black Knights aren’t exactly afraid of loading up with big time out-of-district opponents.

Key matchup: Charlottesville’s defensive line versus Leeman quarterback Devante White. Last year’s Southern Valley District offensive player of the year is a talented dual threat quarterback. The Black Knights need to keep him bottled up.

Who to watch: Charlottesville’s Daniel Intolubbe-Chmil. The senior defender is back after a knee injury ended his 2009 campaign. How will the leader of the defense bounce back?

SP line: R.E. Lee by 10. This is a rough way to start the year for the Black Knights, but as this team retools they should be able to learn a lot from annual playoff contender that has most of its key players back.

Blue Ridge (0-0) at North Cross (0-1) 2 p.m. Saturday

The Basics: Blue Ridge gets its campaign started on the road this week against North Cross in Roanoke. The Barons are still bringing the pieces together as players continue to matriculate in before the school’s academic calendar opens, but most of the key factors are in place now. Ben Smith High out of Greensboro, N.C. took it to North Cross last week 49-0, but it’s hard to tell what that means. The Raiders went 8-3 last year as part of Division 3, including a 45-7 win over Covenant. Blue Ridge reportedly looked good in a scrimmage with Woodberry last week, but they’ll be tested against North Cross.  

Key matchup: The Barons’ linebackers against a seasoned North Cross offense. Blue Ridge coach Del Smith loves his linebackers this year, and they’ll have their hands full against North Cross’ multiple offensive weapons including seniors Fuller Clark and Antoine Martin at quarterback and running back respectively. Brandon Trent gives Clark an option outside.

Player to watch: Blue Ridge’s Andre Roberts. The Barons’ quarterback has a lot of the Blue Ridge offense riding on him this season. Can he get things started right?

Line: Blue Ridge by 10. The Barons will have to come together quickly, but they’ll likely be too athletic for North Cross.

Comments

comments