Western Albemarle (5-0, 2-0) at Charlottesville (3-2, 2-0) 7:30 p.m. WINA
The Basics: The Warriors continue to roll through their schedule, dispatching Louisa last week with a monster first half led by Stephen Schuler’s accurate arm. Now they tackle suddenly red-hot Charlottesville, who has won its last three contests, including a 34-17 win over Monroe last week. Western will need another strong night from its defense, who will need to keenly beware the big play. That’s how the Black Knights battled past Goochland two weeks ago.
Key matchup: Western’s front seven against the Black Knights’ rushing attack. Containing Raymond Parker is key to undercutting Charlottesville’s big play ability. Parker needed just seven touches to pick up 113 yards and two touchdowns last week.
Who to watch: Western safety Cody Davis. The enforcer for the Warriors has to continue to give Western a physical presence in the secondary. He also has some big play ability as he took a fumble to the endzone last week against the Lions.
Line: Western by 7. The Warriors are starting to establish themselves as the Jefferson frontrunners.
Orange County (2-2, 1-1) at Louisa County (3-2, 1-1) 7:30 p.m. ESPN840
The Basics: Orange County has been unpredictable of late, crushing Monticello before falling to a Goochland squad that lost to Charlottesville. Things get tougher for the Hornets when they head west to the Jungle to take on a wounded, hungry Lions squad. Louisa will be on the hunt after falling to Western on the road.
Key matchup: Louisa’s linebackers take on Orange’s multiple-set offense. Louisa County’s Brandon Ornduff is a key cog for Louisa at linebacker and if he can keep an eye on Orange’s dynamic weapons and hold running back Dominique Walker in check, Louisa could be in good shape for a rebound.
Who to watch: Louisa’s C.J. Lambert. Lambert took a pair of kickoffs to the house earlier this year, and if he can give the Lions some solid field position, it could be the spark the Louisa offense needs.
Line: Louisa by 1.5. Lions usually handle their business at home.
Covenant’s game with Hargrave was postponed due to flu problems at Hargrave.
St. Christopher’s (3-2) at Fork Union (4-1) 3:30 p.m.
The Basics: St. Christopher’s is rolling right now. After starting 0-2, the Saints have won three straight. FUMA is reeling after falling in a big-time matchup with Woodberry Forest where the Tigers pounded the Blue Devils.
Key matchup: Fork Union’s front seven against the Saints’ multi-pronged rushing attack. FUMA struggled to contain Ade Oyalowo and Ed Reynolds last week. Can they stuff St. Christopher’s fleet of possible runners?
Who to watch: FUMA’s Akeem Garnett. Garnett finally broke free for a long touchdown late against Woodberry. He’ll look to get into a better rhythm early against the Saints early.
Line: Fork Union by 4.5. Blue Devils bounce back after falling to Tigers.
Woodberry Forest (3-0) at Collegiate (4-0) 4 p.m.
The Basics: There’s little secret that Woodberry’s victory over Fork Union was a big one, and it gives the Tigers a lot of momentum. The only question is whether or not they can keep it going against a tough, wideopen Collegiate squad that centers on quarterback Jake McGee.
Key matchup: Woodberry’s secondary against the complicated Collegiate passing attack. Woodberry cornerbacks JT Hornyak and Ed Reynolds will have their hands full trying to clamp down on Collegiate’s wideouts.
Who to watch: Collegiate’s McGee. Last season, Woodberry pressured McGee, a 6-foot-5 star, into enough mistakes to win, with Aramide Olaniyan leading the way with double digit quarterback hurries. Can they repeat the feat?
Line: Woodberry by 11. The Tigers are picking up steam right now.
Gretna (4-1) at Nelson County (1-3) 7 p.m.
The Basics: Nelson finally picked up a win by knocking off Central Lunenburg in a rain-delayed contest back on September 29 before their bye week last week. Gretna, a Group A powerhouse, comes to town this year looking for a more decisive victory than last year’s nailbiter orchestrated by former Nelson quarterback M.J. Wells that Gretna held on to win. A different cast will have to carry the Governors this year.
Key matchup: Nelson’s linebackers take on dual threat quarterback Nick Miller. If Trevor Martin and company can shut down Miller — or at least contain him — Gretna might struggle.
Who to watch: Gretna’s Andre Dickerson gives the Hawks another option in the run game with 294 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It’s up to the Nelson front seven to try and hold him in check.
Line: Gretna by 7.5. It’ll take some heroics for the Governors to knock off Gretna.
Virginia Episcopal (0-4) at St. Anne’s-Belfield (1-3) 7 p.m.
The Basics: After a strong win over Trinity Episcopal, STAB stumbled the following week against St. Christopher’s on the road. They return home to take on Virginia Episcopal, a team that’s currently struggling.
Key matchup: VES struggled to run the ball against Nansemond Suffolk in its last game. If STAB’s front seven can cause similar problems, the Saints should be a step closer to .500.
Who to watch: STAB tight end Shane Palmateer. The sophomore hauled in a touchdown two weeks ago and could give the Saints a reliable threat at tight end that can help open things up for the run game.
Line: STAB by 7.5. Saints start steering the ship against VES.
Albemarle (0-5, 0-2) at Riverbend (5-0, 0-2) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Albemarle’s slide continues while Riverbend is trying to firm up the top spot in a deep, talented Commonwealth.
Key matchup: Albemarle’s defense takes on Mitch Ratcliff and Jesse McNeal. Both rushed for 100 or more yards against Stafford two weeks ago.
Who to watch: Albemarle’s Joey Varaksa tossed a pair of touchdown passes last weekend. Can he spark the Patriots to a major upset?
Line: Riverbend by 7.5. The Bears are rolling.
Stonewall Jackson-Quicksburg (1-3) at Madison County (5-0) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Madison continues its out of conference slate against another Shenandoah District squad when the Generals come to town. It’s also homecoming in Madison as the Mountaineers try to stay unbeaten.
Key matchup: The Generals have to contain the Madison rushing attack or Logan Terrell and Devon Boone will make it a long trip back over the mountain.
Who to watch: Madison’s Antonio Childress. He’s a big play threat for the Mountaineers at wide receiver. He’s averaging 19.8 yards per catch right now, and two of his six receptions went for touchdowns.
Line: Madison by 3. Mountaineers keep it going.
William Monroe (0-5, 0-2) at Fluvanna County (1-4, 0-2) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Fluvanna has struggled a bit since winning its opener, but the Dragons have also stumbled through the first half of the season. Both teams could use a victory right now.
Key matchup: Quarterbacks Mitchell Morris for Monroe and Ryan Foster for Fluvanna. Which signal-caller is going to get the time to make some plays to help kickstart their team’s offense?
Who to watch: William Monroe’s Markees Towles. Towles, a running back, got things going through the air with 104 yards and hauling in Monroe’s first passing touchdown of the season against Charlottesville.
Line: Fluvanna by 3.5. The Flucos get a chance to pick up a win at home.
Goochland (4-1, 1-1) at Monticello (2-3, 1-1) 7:30 p.m.
The Basics: Goochland picked up a huge win against Orange on the road Friday, recovering from the loss to Charlottesville in the Bulldogs’ Jefferson District opener. Now Goochland takes on the Mustangs, who fell to the Hornets two weeks ago. The Mustangs lean heavily on CJ Page, who piled up yards against Fluvanna, rushing for 149 yards on 27 carries.
Key matchup: Monticello’s front seven against the Goochland Wing-T. Charlottesville handled it, but Orange struggled to contain David McKenna, who rushed for 109 yards on 11 carries against the Hornets. The Mustangs will have to play responsibility football to keep the Bulldogs’ rushing offense in check.
Who to watch: Monticello fullback Aaron DiGregorio. Against Fluvanna last week DiGregorio had more than 100 all-purpose yards, which forced the Flucos to account for another offensive weapon outside of Page.
Line: Goochland by 2.5. The Bulldogs slipped up against Charlottesville, but they appear to be back on track.
Blue Ridge School (3-1) at St. Stephen’s-St.Agnes (3-1) 2 p.m. Saturday
The Basics: A strong cross division matchup between schools that have started the year strong. The Barons have been on a roll since falling to Liberty Christian Academy. Both are coming in with a lot of momentum, after rolling to big victories last week.
Key matchup: St. Stephen’s-St. Agnes running back Jalani Winbush and Blue Ridge running back David Coe. Winbush scorched Randolph Macon Academy for 182 yards on just 10 carries last week. Lucky for the Barons, they counter with Coe, who rushed for 155 yards against Covenant last week.
Who to watch: Blue Ridge linebacker Kyle Aichs. Aichs hauled down his first career interception on a tipped ball, but his sure tackling and fundamental play is what’s helped turned the Barons’ linebacking corps into a feared unit.
Line: Blue Ridge by 1.5. Barons continue to pick up wins.
