Orange County (4-3, 3-2) at Western Albemarle (8-0, 5-0) 7:30 p.m. Radio: ESPN840
The Basics: Western gets its first of two back-to-back tests to close out the season with a surging Orange that won its last two games 86-10 over Fluvanna and William Monroe. After two wins last week over Monticello and Monroe, the Warriors still control their own fate in the Jefferson.
Key Matchup: Western’s wideouts take on Orange’s secondary. This should be a strong matchup between a senior-laden Warriors quartet and an athletic, speedy set of Orange defensive backs. If Dom Losco and Tyler Ward can get the better of sophomore Tyler Seal and Orange’s unit, Western could be in control.
Who to Watch: Orange’s Dominique Walker. Can Walker get the running game going for the Hornets against a staunch Western defense that has shut down opposing rushing attacks all season?
SP Line: Western Albemarle by 3.5. With home field advantage, the Warriors should enter their season finale with a unblemished record.
Monticello (3-5, 2-3) at Louisa County (5-3, 3-2) 7:30 p.m. Radio: WINA
The Basics: Monticello picked up a win against Charlottesville and now they have to head for the trouble spot that is Louisa while the Lions are trying to bounce back after a second Jefferson loss to Goochland last week. The Lions piled up yards all night against Bulldogs, now they just need to do a better job of finishing off drives.
Key Matchup: Monticello’s Aaron DiGregorio needs to keep track of Louisa’s Kire Worley. Worley can break a big play or two, and the Mustangs’ linebacker, along with defensive tackle Timmy Rollins need to keep him contained.
Who to Watch: Monticello’s CJ Page was the first area running back to cross the 1,000-yard mark, but he’s got his work cut out for him against Louisa’s speedy, relentless defense.
SP Line: Louisa by 1.5. Monticello might be a year away, and the Lions have their backs against the wall — they’ll likely respond.
Covenant (3-5) at North Cross (6-2) 3:30 p.m.
The Basics: Covenant doesn’t get much of a break after a rivalry tilt with STAB last week as North Cross, the No. 1 team in VISSA’s Division 3.
Key Matchup: North Cross’s secondary takes on Sam Dale. Dale had a slow night against STAB, but there’s a good chance he bounces back and explodes against North Cross. Are the Raiders up for the task?
Who to Watch: Covenant’s Alex Payne. Payne will have to be in top form for the Eagles to contain Tyler Caveness, North Cross’s running back who has piled up 1,185 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season.
SP Line: Covenant by 3.5. The Eagles have to get back on track in this one.
Mountain View (3-5) at Albemarle (0-8) 7 p.m.
The Basics: The Commonwealth District gauntlet enters another week for Albemarle High, this time bringing a rare CD team with a sub-.500 record for the second week in a row. The Patriots couldn’t handle Stafford last week, and if they’re not careful, this week could turn into a similar situation.
Key Matchup: Wide receiver Andrew Frazier takes on the Mountain View secondary. Frazier’s five touchdowns pace the unit, can he and quarterback Joey Varaksa connect and get Patriots going.
Who to Watch: Albemarle’s Michael Bernardino. The Patriots’ leading tackler with 27 stops on the season, Bernardino will try and spark Albemarle to its first win.
SP Line: Mountain View by 7.5. Albemarle has a tough task ahead.
Nelson County (1-6) at Chatham (0-7) 7 p.m.
The Basics: Nelson is stuck outside a trio of teams battling for the top spot in the Dogwood. The Governors take on winless Chatham, another team looking to start making up for a rough start to the season.
Key Matchup: Chatham’s leading tackler Dominique Freeman takes on Nelson’s Trey Barnett. Barnett slipped past Appomattox for a kickoff return for a touchdown last week, and if Freeman and the Chatham defense let him get loose in space, it could be trouble.
Who to Watch: Nelson’s ball security with Barnett at the helm. The Governors have to hold onto the ball. Turnovers led to big points for Appomattox last week.
SP Line: Nelson by 3.5. A tough schedule finally lets up for the Governors this week, and they should respond with a victory.
Strasburg (1-7) at Madison County (7-0) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: It’s the end of October and Madison is hosting its first Bull Run district home game after winning on the road against George Mason last week. Strasburg has yet to win on the road this year. The Rams won’t get much of a welcome from the Mountaineers’ fans or football team. Madison has been punishing teams with their balanced offense and their defense has been forcing turnovers and converting them into points. The Mountaineers are loaded with senior talent while the Rams are almost all juniors and sophomores.
Key Matchup: The Rams’ secondary versus Madison’s receiving corps. The Mountaineers are forcing teams to play honest this year and that means letting quarterback Dustin Kirby drop back and take advantage of man coverage with little if any help over top.
Who to Watch: Madison running back Jerod Williams. Given the mismatch between these two teams, Williams should get a chance to see more touches than he usually does with seniors Logan Terrell and Devon Boone eating up most of the opportunities.
SP Line: Madison by 10. Another step in the process for the unbeaten Mountaineers.
Fluvanna County (2-6, 1-4) at Charlottesville (3-5, 2-3) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Charlottesville is coming off a disappointing performance against Monticello while Fluvanna was overwhelmed by Orange’s big playmakers. Since winning their first two Jefferson District matchups, the Black Knights have lost three games in a row.
Key Matchup: Charlottesville’s front four versus Fluvanna’s running game. The Knights had a hard time taking down CJ Page last week and Flucos tailback TJ Dudley and quarterback Ryan Foster can chew up their share of yardage on the ground.
Who to Watch: Charlottesville safety Maurice Jackson. Jackson will have his hands full in keeping an eye on Fluvanna receiver YaYa Anderson while also helping spy on Foster and contribute against the run.
SP Line: Charlottesville by 1.5. At home the Black Knights end their current slide.
Goochland (7-1, 4-1) at William Monroe (0-8, 0-5) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: William Monroe is still looking for win number one and it’s going to be awfully hard to pick up against Goochland, a team that took down Louisa County last Friday. The Bulldogs play tough on defense and have a wealth of running backs including the speedy, talented Dustin Plummer.
Key Matchup: Monroe’s linebackers versus the Goochland offensive line. The Bulldogs linemen will be working their way up field looking to flatten would be tacklers. If Goochland’s big men can trample through the Greene Dragon linebacking corps it’s going to be a long night.
Who to Watch: Goochland linebacker B.J. Clark. Clark hasn’t had much trouble piling up double digit tackles against some hardnosed teams.
SP Line: Goochland by 10.5. The Bulldogs are on a collision course with Western for next Friday.
St. Anne’s-Belfield (3-4) at Christchurch (2-4) 1 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: As usual with St. Anne’s-Belfield, the Saints begin to emerge late in the year. While they let Covenant back into the game late, struggling to stop Chris Shifflett out of the Wildcat, STAB flexed its muscles early against the Eagles. The Saints showed that they’re prepared to be a tough out for any team hoping to beat them and now own the No. 3 spot in the state rankings.
Key Matchup: STAB wideout Joseph Stuart takes on a vulnerable Christchurch secondary. The Seahorses struggled to contain Blue Ridge’s passing attack two weeks ago, can the Saints also take advantage. Stuart has hauled in 339 yards receiving on the season including an 88-yard catch and run against Covenant last week.
Who to Watch: St. Anne’s linebacker Michael Battle. Battled had 8.5 tackles to lead the Saints last week against the Eagles, can he put together another strong performance as STAB enters its stretch run.
SP Line: STAB by 7.5. The Saints snag a road win before a big battle with Blue Ridge next week.
Benedictine at Fork Union 1:30 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: It’s getting to be do or die time for Fork Union. After losing three straight to three of the state’s best teams, the Blue Devils need to get back to their winning ways if they want to make the postseason. Benedictine is no slouch, but they’ll have their work cut out against an angry FUMA bunch.
Key Matchup: The Cadets secondary versus Fork Union receiver Akeem Garnett. Fork Union can lull teams to sleep with their ground game and then strike big with Garnett, a receiver that never seems to go down until he’s in the endzone.
Who to Watch: FUMA running back Andre Parker. In order for Blue Devils quarterback Richard Quittenton to get the time he needs to hit his receivers, Parker will have to show that he can run against an eight man front. In the early going against Collegiate last week, Parker showed he could do just that.
SP Line: Fork Union by 2.5. The Blue Devils grab a crucial late season victory at home.
St. Christopher’s at Woodberry Forest 2 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: Woodberry bounced back from their first loss of the year to beat Benedictine on the road last week. In that game the Tigers saw the multi-talented Ade Oyalowo get banged up, but the team was able to put the game on Ed Reynolds’ shoulders and let the senior pave the way to victory. St. Christopher’s is coming off a 17-9 loss to Episcopal last week.
Key Matchup: St. Christopher’s front seven versus Ed Reynolds. Woodberry loves to run and they will keep doing it until someone stops them. Reynolds is a workhorse and capable of carrying the ball more than 30 times a game.
Who to Watch: Woodberry’s Aramide Olayanian. The Woodberry linebacker/defensive end has a knack for getting after quarterbacks, which could translate into a very long day for Saints signal caller Rob Vozenilek.
SP Line: Woodberry by 7.5.
Atlantic Shores (4-4) at Blue Ridge (5-2) 2 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: Ranked atop of the Division II rankings, Blue Ridge hosts defending state champion Atlantic Shores. This isn’t the same Seahawks team that defeated St. Anne’s-Belfield in the title game last year, but the Baron’s aren’t likely to sleep on Shores, a team that can move the ball on the ground. Blue Ridge was without running back David Coe last week but didn’t have any trouble with Virginia Episcopal.
Key Matchup: Mike Casey and the Blue Ridge linebacking corps versus Seahawks running backs Jaquay Hall and Ryan Henderson. The Barons usually don’t have any trouble scoring, but that could be a moot point if they can take the wind out of the Shores rushing attack.
Who to Watch: Barons quarterback Speedy McCauley. Three of the senior’s five completions last week went for scores. McCauley has been making the most of the talented receivers at his disposal while also rolling out of the pocket to move the chains.
SP Line: Blue Ridge by 4.5. The Barons stay the course against the Seahawks.
