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When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Spotsylvania High School
Last week: Chancellor lost to Colonial Forge 43-22; Spotsylvania lost to Courtland 35-0.
Notes: Last year's 7-6 Knights' win in the mud on a Monday night was a typical slugfest in this longstanding rivalry. Both teams rely heavily on the run. Led by HB Charles Parker's 123 yards on the ground, Chancellor's wishbone attack gained 215 yards against Colonial Forge. But the Chargers' defense was burned by the pinpoint passing of Eagles' QB Randy Hippeard, who threw for 447 yards and three TDs. Spotsylvania's trademark wing-T offense has been ineffective lately. The Knights' ground game has produced only nine points in its last two games.
WARREN COUNTY (5-2) at LIBERTY (7-0)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty High School, Bealeton
Last week: Warren County beat Millbrook 35-0; Liberty beat Handley 20-6.
Notes: The unbeaten Eagles are ranked third in the latest AP Group AA prep poll and continue to build steam in their bid for the Northwestern district crown. Last week, Liberty handled previously unbeaten Handley in convincing fashion, despite a mistake-filled first half. Paced by RB A.J. Brown's 221 yards and two TDs, the Liberty running game amassed 401 yards and moved the football consistently. "We moved the football, but we made way too many mistakes," Eagles coach Tommy Buzzo said Warren County has done a major turnaround under first-year coach Gilbert Heath. Last week's shutout of new league member Millbrook guaranteed the Wildcats their first winning season in 26 years.
STAFFORD (3-3) at COLONIAL FORGE (5-2)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Colonial Forge High School
Last week: Stafford lost to Albemarle 52-42; Colonial Forge beat Chancellor 43-22.
Notes: The Indians won the first meeting between the two teams this year, 27-21, but paid a heavy price with the loss of injured FB Derrick Burton. With the district title possibly out of reach for both squads, tonight's district clash has major playoff implications, especially for Stafford, which is currently ranked fifth in Division 5 The Indians continued to put up big numbers on offense last week, but got burned by poor special teams play. Stafford piled up 461 yards of total offense but gave gave up two kickoff returns for scores. Colonial Forge unleashed its potent offense to defeat Chancellor and stop its two-game losing streak last week. QB Randy Hippeard completed 22 of 39 passes and threw for 447 yards and three TDs. Receivers Luke Boyd, Corey Blue and Jake Brown all had more than 100 yards receiving.
BROOKE POINT (3-3) at MASSAPONAX (8-0)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Massaponax High School
Last week: Brooke Point beat Culpeper 17-15; Massaponax beat North Stafford 23-0.
Notes: With a win tonight, the Panthers can clinch the Commonwealth District regular season title.Brooke Point has won both meetings in this series, including a 42-40 thriller last Fall. Massaponax has passed every major test in its first season in the Group AAA Commonwealth District. However, they can't afford a letdown tonight.The Black-Hawks won last week when Dustin Keys nailed a late 42-yard FG. Brooke Point will need continued offensive balance and a sterling defensive effort to have a shot against the Panthers. "Everybody stayed on an even keel [after last week's win]," Brooke Point coach Jeff Berry said. "They know what they're up against."
ALBEMARLE (5-2) at NORTH STAFFORD (3-4)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: North Stafford High School
Last week: Albemarle beat Stafford 52-42; North Stafford lost to Massaponax 23-0.
Notes: This is a key game for both teams as they try to stay within striking distance of league leading Massaponax and also earn some valuable playoff points Albemarle won last year's game, 25-20 The high-scoring Patriots, who have tallied 93 points in their last two contests combined, continued their mid-season resurgence in last week's shootout win over Stafford. Despite being outgained in total yards, Albemarle used two kickoff returns for scores (one for 92 yards) to notch its second straight victory.North Stafford held QB Nat Jackson and Massaponax's explosive attack to a season-low 254 yards, but the Wolverines' offense couldn't keep pace. After giving up 17 points in the first half, the Wolverines limited the Panthers to just six points and 61 total yards in the final two quarters.
COURTLAND (4-3) at KING GEORGE (0-6)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: King George High School
Last week: Courtland beat Spotsy 35-0; King George lost to Caroline 21-7.
Notes: Battlefield District rivalry dates back to 1980. Courtland rolled off 12 straight wins in series and now lead 15-3.A win by Courtland tonight will keep it just one game behind Caroline and Chancellor.The Cougars are coming off a dominant win over Spotsylvania. Courtland's punishing defense sacked Knights' QB Vern Lunsford six times. The Cougars also forced three turnovers. Spotsylvania amassed just 163 yards of total offense. Running the ball will be imperative for the Cougars. "That's what has worked for us," Courtland head coach J.C. Hall said. "We've got to run and take our shots deep. And when we take shots we've got to capitalize."A young King George team continues to struggle to stay in games. RB Norman Stepney ripped off a 75-yard touchdown in the first quarter of last's week loss at Caroline. However, he was held to 18 yards the remainder of the game.
NORTHUMBERLAND (3-3) at JAMES MONROE (6-0)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Maury stadium, Fredericksburg
Last week: Northumberland lost to Washington & Lee 44-2; James Monroe beat Essex 34-0.
Notes: Riding high after its fifth shutout in six games, JM looks to keep its momentum going in this homecoming contest. "The win over Essex showed our mental toughness," Yellow Jackets coach Rich Serbay said." JM is ranked fifth in this week's AP Group A prep poll and set the tone early against the Trojans with a 64-yard scoring drive on its opening possession "Our line is the hammer, Robert Durante is the nail, and then we roll," Serbay said. Durante ran for 121 yards in the first half and scored twice to ignite the scoring. QB/FS Jeff Scott added a pair of TD passes and also played solid defense. LBs Curtis Krauth and T.L Plummer were also standouts.
RAPPAHANNOCK (1-5) at WASHINGTON & LEE (5-1)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Washington & Lee High School
Last week: Rappahannock lost to Lancaster 6-0; Washington & Lee beat Northumberland 44-2.
Notes: After an off-night in a 12-0 victory over Lancaster two weeks ago, W&L's offense rebounded with a solid performance at Northumberland. All-purpose QB Joe Taylor was a standout for the Eagles, directing several impressive scoring drives and completing seven of 13 passes for 97 yards and a TD. He also ran for a score and was the recipient of a 48-yard TD strike by backup QB Josh Whitman. RB Johnnie Kelley ran for two scores and caught a TD pass Led by FS Devin Smith, the Eagles forced four fumbles and shut down Northumberland's multiple-set offense Rappahannock's inability to score hurt its chances against Lancaster last week. The Raiders' defense held the Devils in check for most of the game, but their offense, which has scored just two TDs all season, failed to produce again.
ESSEX (3-3) at LANCASTER (2-4)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lancaster High School
Last week: Essex lost to James Monroe 34-0; Lancaster beat Rappahannock 6-0.
Notes: The Trojans attempt to rebound after being throttled by JM last week. The defense allowed 367 total yards to the Yellow Jackets, including 208 on the ground. One positive for the Trojans was the play of its backfield. RB Ramarcus Baylor (16 carries for 70 yards) led the way as Essex racked up 218 yards on the ground. But getting in the end zone was another matter. Baylor fumbled at the JM 1-yard line as the Trojans were shutout for the second time this season.Despite the team's record, new coach Billy Jarvis has the Red Devils headed in the right direction. The defense posted a shutout last week and two weeks ago, Lancaster held Joe Taylor and the W&L offense to 12 points in a losing effort.
ORANGE (4-3) at W. ALBEMARLE (7-0)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Western Albemarle High School
Last week: Orange did not play; Western Albemarle beat Monticello 31-27.
Notes: Series dates back to 1996. Orange leads 5-2, but Western Albemarle beat the Hornets 48-26 last season and are off to a 7-0 start this year.The Hornets should be well rested after a bye week. Since Chris Locker stormed out of the gates with 631 yards in five games, defenses have keyed on the senior RB. He's been held to 112 yards in his last two outings combined. "We've got to mix it up to keep them off Locker," Orange coach John Kayajanian said.Led by 22 seniors, the Warriors have served notice in the Jefferson District. The Warriors were just 3-7 last year but have used the legs of back Bryan Lescanec to sprint to a 7-0 start. They passed their first big test of the season, coming from behind to beat Monticello.
E.C. GLASS (4-3) at CULPEPER (1-6)When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Culpeper High School
Last week: E.C. Glass beat Halifax County 32-8; Culpeper lost to Brooke Point 17-15.
Notes: Culpeper won last year's meeting 35-21.A once-promising season has gone wayward for the Blue Devils. They lost yet another close game last week to the Black-Hawks on a late 42-yard FG. Three of the Blue Devils' six losses have been by a combined five points. "You would think after a bunch of close losses, the kids would have their heads down," coach Randy Bove said. "But they know they are better than their record."Blue Devils' QB Keith Dodd has thrown 8 TDs and 1 INT but is completing just 39 percent of his passes. RB Ralph Parker (458 yards) returns from a suspension to give the Blue Devils some balance.E.C. Glass has won three consecutive games after a 1-3 start. QB Nick Anderson leads the way rushing and throwing. Anderson has rushed for 600 yards and threw for 488 and 3 TDs.