Buckingham County (3-0) at Fluvanna County (1-1) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: How good is Buckingham County? Fluvanna will find out tonight. The Knights are one of the area’s top early surprises at 3-0, and they’ll get what appears to be their stiffest test of the season against Fluvanna County Friday night. Look for a trio of backs including Maurice Taylor to lead the way for Buckingham. The Knights crushed Prince Edward 49-14 last week while Fluvanna enjoyed a bye week.
Key matchup: Fluvanna’s linebackers against the Knights’ multiple-back attack. The Flucos boast a lot of depth in the linebacking corps with Tyler Denby and Willie Crawford leading the way. After falling in triple overtime to Madison, Fluvanna faces another Group A team that boasts a number of capable running backs. Coming off the bye week, Fluvanna will have to contain Buckingham’s backs — Taylor, JaRodd Wade and Damien Glover — to pick up a win in its home opener.
Player to watch: Fluvanna County’s T.J. Dudley. Dudley and the other key parts of the Fluvanna run game will have to give the Flucos a physical presence on offense to match Buckingham’s deep offensive backfield.
SP’s Line: Fluvanna by 1.5. The Flucos need to hold serve at home against the Group A Knights, but it won’t be easy.
Hargrave Military Academy (0-2) at Fork Union Military Academy (2-0) 3:30 p.m.
The basics: This one might get lopsided fast. Hargrave has stumbled out of the gate with a new offensive system, losing to Isle of Wright in the Tigers’ season opener and then another local foe, Blue Ridge last Saturday. Now a deep, talented Fork Union squad plays its second straight home game, hosting Hargrave and its single wing. Trying to impose the run game on Fork Union may be a losing proposition for the Tigers with Mark Shuman, Russell Bodine and Jamal Hunter anchoring the defense.
Key matchup: Hargrave’s linebackers against FUMA’s rushing attack. If Hargrave can’t force the Blue Devils to throw by stuffing the run, it’s going to be hard for the Tigers to hang in there. Even then, FUMA quarterback Richard Quittenton could make life tough. It’s quickly becoming a pick your poison situation out at Fork Union.
Player to watch: Fork Union wideout Akeem Garnett. How will he follow last week’s breakout performance? The Blue Devils may not have to turn to the 6-foot-4 senior if the running game rolls, but if they do he’ll likely be ready.
SP’s Line: Fork Union by 14.5. This one might not be close early.
Liberty Christian Academy (2-1) at Blue Ridge School (1-0) 4 p.m.
The basics: This one looks to be one of the area’s top battles this week and could feature a pair of playoff teams in different divisions. LCA has been tabbed as a favorite for the VISSA Division I state title this season after getting knocked out of the playoffs by Flint Hill last season. But all-everything quarterback Michael Rocco’s injury has reopened the door for LCA to struggle, although they’ve only slipped just once so far. Blue Ridge is vastly improved, and smashed Hargrave last week. Seth Good, who is a running threat, replaces Rocco.
Key matchup: LCA senior running back Desmond Rice against the Barons’ front seven. Kyle Aichs had 11 tackles and Roderick Holloway also turned in a solid performance last week for Blue Ridge. Now they have to hold Rice in check. Complicating the problem is the fact that Rice has de
veloped into an excellent receiver out of the backfield.
Player to watch: Blue Ridge’s Speedy McCauley. McCauley has to keep the Barons out of bad situations against a talented LCA squad. He has a number of targets in the passing game to lean on, and David Coe carries the load in the backfield. McCauley went 8 for 15 for 197 yards and four touchdowns against Hargrave.
SP’s Line: Blue Ridge by .5. LCA is stacked, but Blue Ridge is at home and this appears to be a different Blue Ridge team. An early season upset special.
Eastern View (1-1) at William Monroe (0-2) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: After falling to Madison in it’s home opener, William Monroe takes on another opponent from just north of Greene County on US-29 in Eastern View. While last week the Mountaineers brought a physical run-oriented attack to Stanardsville, the Cyclones bring a high-powered aerial assault. Monroe is looking to cut down on penalties and turnovers this week after 102 yards in penalties and six turnovers last week against Madison.
Key matchup: Monroe’s offensive line against the Eastern View defensive front seven. Monroe has to control the line of scrimmage better against Eastern View this week to keep the Cyclones’ own offense off the field. If the line can clear the way for Markees Towles and Logan Forloines, Monroe can control the clock and have a chance to knock off Eastern View.
Player to watch: Sophomore Eastern View quarterback Simon Pendleton. If Monroe can’t corral Pendleton, who threw for 210 yards against a stout Louisa defense two weeks ago, the Dragons will struggle to hang with the high-octane Cyclones.
SP’s Line: Eastern View by 7.5. Monroe’s tough home schedule continues with the Cyclones.
Albemarle (0-2) at Charlottesville (0-2) 7:30 p.m. WINA
The basics: Albemarle and Charlottesville both need this game bad. The Patriots are reeling a bit after falling to Western Albemarle 42-7 despite forcing seven turnovers and the Black Knights have had to take on a pair of juggernauts to open the season in R.E. Lee and James Monroe. A win here would be a huge boost to the Black Knights, who are still in the process of trying to rebound from last year’s 1-9 record.
Key matchup: Charlottesville’s front seven against the Albemarle run game. Charlottesville players like Steve Allen and Daniel Chmil will have to hold Albemarle running backs Mayn Francisco and Jervon Speller in check and force the Patriots to throw the ball. That’s been Albemarle’s weakness through two games, and if the Patriots have to rely on the air attack, the Black Knights might be able to control the tempo.
Player to watch: Charlottesville’s Xavier Porter. Porter is responsible for the only two Black Knights touchdowns of the year, both against R.E. Lee. Porter likely has to be a playmaker for Charlottesville to knock off the Patriots, and he will see plenty of time on both sides of the field.
SP’s Line: Albemarle by .5. This one will likely be close, and Charlottesville may be able to pull off the upset over a struggling group of Patriots, but if the Patriots defense can continue to force teams into mistakes, Albemarle should be able to edge this game out.
Nelson County (0-2) at Madison County (2-0) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Madison is rolling right now after dropping William Monroe last week and Fluvanna County in the season opener. The linebacking tandem of Logan Terrell and Bradley Meadows leads the way for Madison defensively. Meadows has piled up 18 tackles and a sack already this year. If the Mountaineers defensive core can contain Nelson’s rushing attack Madison could be looking at a 3-0 record halfway through their non-district slate.
Key matchup: Nelson’s linebackers Trevor Martin and Tim Williams against Madison’s rushing attack. The Governors struggled to contain Riverheads running back Cory Sandridge (233 yards and four touchdowns) and it snowballed into a loss after Nelson led 21-17 in the fourth quarter. Now Nelson has to contain Madison’s three-headed monster of Logan Terrell, Devon Boone and Jerod Williams.
Player to watch: Nelson County’s Trey Barnett. If the Governors are going to turn things around against a tough Madison team after an 0-2 start, Barnett has to get them going. He piled up 160 yards on just seven carries against Riverheads last week in a 37-21 loss. A repeat performance could put the pressure on Madison.
SP’s Line: Madison by 7.5. A road win in Madison is a tall task for Nelson.
Powhatan (1-0) at Monticello (1-1) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Monticello stumbled last week against Huguenot, falling 26-20 after a late interception snuffed out the Mustangs’ hopes. Powhatan has developed into something of a non-traditional rival for the Mustangs, as they’ve faced off the last four years and played some tight contests, including last year’s 19-18 thriller where Monticello lost going for the two-point conversion and the victory with 49 seconds to play. Could this year be as tight?
Key matchup: Monticello’s front seven against Powhatan sophomore running back Landen Bradley. Bradley piled up 128 yards on 15 carries against Midlothian in the Indians’ season opener, but Mustangs defensive tackle Timmy Rollins and linebacker Aaron DiGregorio, among others, have the potential to make life tough for the young back.
Player to watch: Monticello quarterback Tyler Moneymaker. While Moneymaker started strong against Albemarle, he struggled some against Huguenot. Odds are good he’ll bounce back against Powhatan, and if he takes care of the ball and keeps the Mustangs out of trouble, Monticello should be in the thick of things late.
SP’s Line: Push. Powhatan has to play at Monticello, but the Mustangs will have to put together a fantastic game to knock off the Indians.
King George (1-1) at Goochland (2-0)
The basics: King George picked up its first victory with a 34-30 victory over Colonial Beach last week with a blanaced offensive attack. Now they take on with Goochland and the Wing-T offense that put together a 46-14 victory over Amelia last week. Expect King George to struggle to contain a Goochland team that appears to be firing on all cylinders so far.
Key matchup: Goochland’s defensive backs against King George’s electric throw and catch combination of quarterback Chris Thompson and Tevin Jones. Jones had four catches for 104 yards from Thompson, a dual-threat who could challenge Goochland on the ground as well.
Player to watch: Goochland’s Dustin Plummer. The cat-quick back rushed for 123 yards on just six touches against Amelia, so King George will certainly have an eye on him. But if the Foxes bottle him up, Desmond Athey and Willie Ezell can definitely hurt King George.
SP’s Line: Goochland by 7.5. The Bulldogs are healthy right now and they’re looking tough.
Louisa County (2-0) at Courtland (0-2) 7:30 p.m.
The basics: Louisa coach Mark Fischer wants this one bad, make no mistake about it. He’s good friends with Courtland coach J.C. Hall, and Hall has nipped Fischer the last couple of seasons. And don’t mistake that 0-2 record for Courtland as a weakness. The Cougars played two strong Group AAA Commonwealth district opponents, Massaponax and Riverbend to open the year.
Key matchup: Louisa’s offensive line against Courtland’s defensive lineman Chris Ragonesi, a 6-foot-2, 238-pound star. The Lions will have to at least offset Ragonesi’s presence part of the time to open the running game up for Glen Cosby. Expect Louisa to run away from Ragonesi as much as possible.
Player to watch: Louisa’s Dylan Hollins. Hollins, perhaps one of the area’s more underrated players, has been seeing time at free safety in addition to his usual spot at quarterback. He’s a little nicked up right now, but don’t expect that to slow him down too much in an emotional early season battle with Courtland.
SP’s Line: Louisa by 1.5. It’ll be tough to get a road win in a huge test for the Lions, but they may be able to get it done as Courtland continues to break in a new crop of offensive players.
James Monroe (1-1) at Orange County (1-1) 7:30 p.m. ESPN840
The basics: James Monroe, the defending state champion, dropped a heartbreaker to Mountain View to open the season, then followed with a 34-0 win over Charlottesville. Orange recovered from a season opening thrashing versus Chancellor with a big win over Culpeper County. This game should be a good indication of what Orange is right now, and a solid measuring stick before district play begins.
Key matchup: Orange’s defense against Monroe’s new-look offense including quarterback Farkeem French. The Hornets have to prove they can stop a talented offense, and it starts with the Yellow Jackets this week.
Player to watch: Orange quarterback Cameron Hughes. Can he follow up with another solid performance after passing for 155 yards on 11 of 13 passing.
SP’s Line: James Monroe by 1.5. They’re the defending champs, but Orange should give the Yellow Jackets a good game.
Woodberry Forest (0-0) at Bishop Ireton (2-0) 2 p.m. Saturday
The basics: Woodberry finally opens the season and unleashes a loaded defense on a Bishop Ireton team that is riding high after two wins, including a dismantling of Riverdale Baptist and a narrow win over Archbishop Carroll. Woodberry will unveil a new quarterback on the road in Alexandria.
Key matchup: Bishop Ireton’s offensive line against Woodberry’s front, led by Aramdie Olaniyan and Duke Mosby. That won’t be an easy task for the Cardinals, both are committed currently to ACC schools.
Player to watch: Woodberry’s Ed Reynolds. The multi-talented Reynolds has to produce for the Tigers. Reynolds never takes a play off, so there’s a good chance he’ll have a nice day for the Tigers.
SP’s Line: Woodberry by 7.5. Woodberry projects well this year and should build on an incredible 2008 with so many key pieces back.
