VISFL Semifinals: No. 5 Brunswick Academy at No. 1 Covenant (8-0), Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Albemarle
The basics: The Eagles have had to endure a nearly three-week break from football since playing October 19, and now they’ll have to get back in gear for the VISFL semifinals against a team they hammered 60-0 back in mid-September. Covenant has been locked in from the jump this year, and its worth noting that most people thought they’d be at the top of the heap this year when the teams in the VISFL transitioned to 8-man. But just how dominant they’ve been is pretty impressive. Running back Rick Weaver has proven again that when he’s healthy there aren’t many people in Central Virginia tougher to tackle and the offensive line in front of him has cleared the way for Weaver and the rest of the run game all year. Covenant should be in good shape here since they’re hosting and they’ve got to be champing at the bit to get back on the field.
Key matchup: Brunswick tries to counter the Covenant ground attack. Brunswick struggled in the early going against STAB a few weeks ago to stop the run and if they have similar breakdowns against a multi-faceted Covenant ground game, they’re going to be in for a long day. Weaver brings the hammer up the middle and he’s deceptively fast when he gets to the second level, Jonas Sanker brings the speed on the edge and Luke Sorenson is a patient threat, picking his way past defenders. That’s a lot of stylistic difference to account for.
Who to watch: Covenant’s Nic Sanker. Sanker has been a defensive force this year, giving the Eagles a reliable tackler who’s also capable of wreaking havoc on an opposing offense’s rhythm in the backfield. While Covenant’s offense is throwing up nearly 50 points per game, the defense has been inversely suffocating, holding opposing offenses to just 6.6 points per game. Sanker is a big reason why.
The line: Covenant by 35. We’re not trying to discount a 19-day layoff making things a little tough on the Eagles but slowing them down is no easy task either.
VISFL Semifinals: No. 3 Virginia Episcopal at No. 2 St. Anne’s-Belfield Tuesday 6 p.m.
The basics: These two teams lock up again about two weeks after STAB rolled 49-21 over the Bishops at home. STAB really got into a groove when Gabe Decker scored midway through the second quarter as it kick started a 28-0 run that carried deep into the third quarter and put the game out of reach for VES. Joe Ambrosi at linebacker and Will Edelson up front have helped stiffen up the Saints defense in the second half of the season (excluding the game against Covenant). If the defense puts together a repeat performance against VES, the Bishops are going to be in a lot of trouble.
Key matchup: Virginia Episcopal’s run game tries to break through against STAB’s stingy defense. STAB did an excellent job of containing the VES ground game last week, holding them to just 2.9 yards per carry.STAB is just sound on this side of the ball, and that could make things particularly difficult for the Bishops.
Who to watch: STAB quarterback Thomas Harry rushed for 104 yards and a score and threw for another 103 yards and a score on just 3-for-4 passing last time out against VES. Expect the Bishops to try and lock in on Harry which could open things up even more for Amani Woods and Decker who ran pretty well against the Bishops too.
The line: STAB by 14. The Saints dropped VES two weeks ago, if they don’t come out flat, they should roll again.
