Charlottesville (3-3, 2-1) at Louisa County (4-2, 2-1) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Charlottesville fell to Western Albemarle last week, but for three quarters the Black Knights controlled the game. When the Warriors put the ball on the ground and ran right at Charlottesville though, the Black Knights struggled. The Lions will do just that, relying heavily on Glen Cosby, Andre Mealy and Anthony Hunter in the ground game much as they did against Orange County in an overtime win at home last week. If Charlottesville is going to string together some more wins they’ll have to step up against the run.
Key matchup: Louisa’s offensive line led by Josh Giusto against Charlottesville’s relentless defensive front four. This should be an impressive battle in the trenches, and the Lions need to establish the run game early against the Black Knights.
Who to watch: Louisa’s Kire Worley. Worley is doing a good job of handling the quarterback duties along with senior Dillon Hollins, freeing Hollins to spend more time patrolling the secondary at safety. If the sophomore can spark the Lions’ offense, it’ll be critical to holding off the Black Knights at home.
SP’s line: Louisa by 1.5. Louisa stays on track with another critical Jefferson victory.
Monticello (2-4, 1-2) at Western Albemarle (6-0, 3-0) 7:30 p.m. WINA
The Basics: Western passed another test against Charlottesville last week, rallying during the fourth quarter to knock off the Black Knights. The Warriors ran the ball right at Charlottesville during the second half, and if Western can continue to run the ball along with Stephen Schuler throwing the ball as well as he is, opposing defenses will have a tough time slowing down the Warriors. Monticello showed it can the run ball too against Goochland with CJ Page leading the way, but they’ll need a more balance offense to knock off Western.
Key matchup: Monticello struggled to stop the run against Goochland, and they’ll have to contain Schuler and tailback Adam Diehl, who had a career high performance against Charlottesville.
Who to watch: Western Albemarle wideout Dom Losco. Losco is quickly establishing himself as one of the area’s finest pass catchers, with eight touchdowns and 477 yards on the season.
SP’s line: Western Albemarle by 6.5. The Warriors hold serve at home, avenge a 46-6 loss last season to the Mustangs.
Albemarle (0-6, 0-3) at Massaponax (6-1, 3-1) 7 p.m.
The Basics: The Patriots continue a gauntlet of Commonwealth games that gives Albemarle an incredible test every week. They don’t get a break in the Panthers, a team that thrashed Brooke Point last week 54-7. Massaponox tailback Najee Harris put together an amazing performance on the ground in last week’s victory, carrying the ball just seven times but putting up 198 yards.
Key matchup: The Panthers’ multi-faceted rushing attack featuring Harris against Albemarle’s front seven. If the Patriots can’t stop the run tonight, it’ll be another rough trip to Fredericksburg.
Who to watch: Albemarle running back Jervon Speller. Speller had a touchdown last week, can he kick the Patriots into high gear against the Panthers?
SP’s line: Massaponax by 9.5.Albemarle’s brutal slate keeps going.
Nelson County (0-4) at Dan River (4-2, 2-1) 7 p.m.
The Basics: Nelson County has struggled to start the year but they’ve faced a tough schedule — the Governors’ first six opponents are a combined 22-2 already. Dan River dropped a game last week to Altavista and they’ll be looking to bounce back.
Key matchup: Nelson running back Trey Barnett and the Governors’ offensive line battle Dan River’s front seven. Barnett had 99 yards against Gretna and he’s the key cog for the Nelson County offense.
Who to watch: Nelson wideout Jordan Wooten. Wooten was on the receiving end of a massive hit at the end of the Gretna contest. Can he get back on the field in a crucial game for the Governors?
SP’s line: Nelson County by 1.5. The Governors have their backs against the wall and they’ll have to get it done on the road.
Cumberland (2-4) at Buckingham County (6-0) 7 p.m.
The Basics: The Knights are coming off a bye week and now face one of last year’s frontrunners in the James River in Cumberland.
Key matchup: Cumberland’s front seven takes on Buckingham’s fleet of running backs. It’ll be a challenge for the Dukes to contain the likes of Maurice Taylor and JaRodd Wade, two of Buckingham’s top rushers.
Who to watch: Buckingham quarterback Tarian Ayers. Can the young quarterback keep the Knights pointed toward an undefeated season.
SP’s line: Buckingham by 7.5. Knights keep it moving.
Collegiate School (4-1) at St. Anne’s-Belfield (2-3) 7 p.m.
The Basics: STAB exploded over Virginia Episcopal last week, rebounding from a loss to St. Christopher’s the week before. A win against Collegiate, led by 6-foot-5 quarterback Jake McGee, would be a big step for a young STAB squad still looking to find its rhythm. It won’t be easy though — Collegiate is still smarting from a blowout loss to Woodberry last week.
Key matchup: Collegiate’s run defense takes on STAB’s Aaron Clark, who operates as a running back and wildcat quarterback. Collegiate has a well-run offense, but can they stop the Saints’ ground attack.
Who to watch: STAB’s Willie McGhee. McGhee and the rest of the Saints’ secondary face a challenge with Collegiate’s four and five-wide attack.
SP’s line: St. Anne’s by .5. Saints are due for a big win. Can they work out the kinks and get it done?
William Monroe (0-6, 0-3) at Orange County (2-3, 1-2) 7:30 p.m. ESPN840
The Basics: Orange fell in overtime to Louisa last Friday on the road, and the Hornets needed to get things straightened out quick with two district losses already on the books. The Dragons are looking to gain back some confidence, but that won’t come easy in Porterfield Park.
Key matchup: Monroe’s secondary takes on Orange quarterback Cameron Hughes. Can Hughes get on a roll and help Orange pile up points? Hornets receiver Amir Waller gets healthier each week.
Who to watch: Orange’s Dakota Connell. The Hornets’ rock in the middle of the defense will look to disrupt the Dragons’ two tailbacks, Markees Towles and Logan Forloines.
SP’s line: Orange by 10. The Hornets should be able to bounce back against the Dragons.
Goochland (5-1, 2-1) at Fluvanna County (2-4, 1-2) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: These two teams have some significant familiarity. The Flucos’ former head coach, Joel Gray, now serves as a Goochland assistant, and the Bulldogs won big on the road last season at Fluvanna. Now it’s a Jefferson District battle, and Fluvanna will have its hands full with a Goochland ground game that piled up 340 yards last week against Monticello.
Key matchup: Goochland’s front four takes on Fluvanna’s spread a week after Monticello leaned heavily on the run. Who starts at quarterback for the Flucos — Ryan Foster or Christian Hackenburg will influence the Flucos’ play selection.
Who to watch: Pick a Goochland running back. David McKenna, Dustin Plummer or Willie Ezell, even Desmond Athey. Any of those four can hurt opponents on any play.
SP’s line: Goochland by 3.5.
Fork Union Military (5-1) at Liberty Christian (6-1, 3-1) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Potential state playoff preview alert. FUMA clashes with a fellow powerhouse in the Bulldogs, and expect smash mouth football from both teams. The Blue Devils are known for getting the job done in running the ball on offense and shutting down the ground game on defense. LCA isn’t much different, and the Bulldogs have plenty of playmakers to that can easily turn a small play into six points.
Key matchup: FUMA running back Andre Parker goes head-to-head with LCA’s Desmond Rice. Rice averages 10.4 yards per carry while Parker checks in at 8.5 yards per touch. Whichever team can establish the run game will likely control the contest.
Who to watch: LCA quarterback Seth Good. Fork Union has to slow down the LCA offense and pressuring Good would be a solid start.
SP’s line: Fork Union by 1.5. A win here would be a huge boost for the Blue Devils, but getting it done on the road will be a tall task.
Landon School (4-1) at Woodberry Forest (4-0) Saturday 2 p.m.
The Basics: A pair of run-heavy programs battle it out at Woodberry. The Tigers rolled Collegiate and FUMA the last two weeks, but the schedule doesn’t slow down now with Landon coming to town. Woodberry edged out McDonogh earlier this year in a wild comeback effort, and Landon fell to McDonogh on the road 34-12.
Key matchup: Landon’s offensive line tries to push around Duke Mosby and Aramide Olaniyan and establish the run. Easier said than done.
Who to watch: Woodberry’s Ade Oyalowo rushed for over 200 yards last week as part of the Tigers’ two-headed running back monster with Ed Reynolds.
SP’s line: Woodberry by 3.5. Tigers should be able to stay unbeaten with home field advantage.
Christchurch (2-2) at Blue Ridge School (3-2) Saturday 2:30 p.m.
The Basics: Blue Ridge fell hard to St. Stephen’s-St. Agnes last Saturday and now the Barons will try and bounce back against the Seahorses in a crucial Division II battle that will help determine seeding for the playoffs.
Key matchup: Blue Ridge’s aggressive linebacking unit tries to shut down a productive Christchurch rushing attack led by Shane Jones.
Who to watch: Blue Ridge’s David Coe. He’s the engine that makes the Barons’ offense hum, and he’ll need to be ready to roll against Christchurch.
SP’s line: Blue Ridge by 3.5. Barons bounced back from a loss to LCA last month with two wins, odds say they get it done again.
