This is the week many have been dreaming about. Its what made folks smile when they saw the schedule. The importance of this week can shape the entire 1A and 2A East playoff landscape. Let's dive right in and look at the big match ups!
KEY GAMES:[/B]
Leo Gaskins has to play huge Saturday.
ESSEX (6-2) at WASHINGTON & LEE (8-0)[/B]
Usually when a forecast for windy conditions, rain, and some of the coldest air this season who spell bad news for production for Essex in the past. Not this team. The Trojans passing game has taken a backseat to the running attack led by Leo Gaskins, Sterling Hammond, and Malik Martin. Even passing record quarterback Dominek Broaddus is a threat to hurt teams with his legs.
Washington & Lee has done what they needed to do to win each and every game. Many don't believe this game will be any different. Even how great Essex was last season, they struggled to get by the Eagles in their house. Now under Coach Todd Jones, Washington & Lee plans to locked down the #1 seed and clinch at least a share of the Northern Neck title. These Eagles can execute on the ground very well with leadershipfrom quarterback Treshaun Brown and solid running from Marion Pollard and Dexter Thompson.
KEYS TO VICTORY:[/I]
Essex will have to force Washington & Lee to several 3rd and longs to give their secondary opportunities to create turnovers and the d-line chances to get sacks. If the Trojans can't allow this to happen or Pollard will move the chains and the Eagles to put a smile on a Dogwood district team's face.
The Eagles must force Essex to throw. Sounds crazy huh? Not by giving attractive looks in the secondary but by shutting down the running game. If W&L can live in the backfield and create losses they must pressure Broaddus into be very uncomfortable in the pocket. That will tilt things in their favor.
PREDICTION: Neither team should have success throwing ball much. Look for many carries from Gaskins and Hammond each. Essex wants a shot again in Salem. Saturday will prove them worthy.
Essex 28 Washington & Lee 14[/B]
Brunswick has won 5 in a row but the Cougars are looking for to go into the playoffs undefeated.
BRUNSWICK (5-3) at SURRY COUNTY (8-0)[/B]
Surry County has continued to excel to great heights with outstanding play from their offense and defense. Coach Ervin Jones knew after last year's playoff exit that Timothy Marsh Jr. would be behind center leading the squad. It has proven to be a great decision. Marsh has gotten better each week and has utilized all the weapons around him to push the Cougars to great achievements. Receivers Dreheim Davis, Drequan Claiborne, and Jarad Barry give him gamebreaking targets while Ahkeem Briggs grinds it out on the ground.
On defense Surry has been solid behind great play from leaders Steve Smallwood Jr.and Ricky Wooden. The balance attack of the Cougars benefits greatly with a defense that creates turnovers and make big plays consistently. Their aggressive style rubs off on the offensive line and will be put to the test in the biggest challenge of the season.
Brunswick is that big challenge for Surry, with a balance attack themselves, and a quarterback who seldom makes mistakes. Darren Owens is playing much better than last season as age and experience has shown up in his actions. He will take on a defense that will have him on the run. Luckily for the Bulldogs, Owens has great weapons like Marshall King Jr., Jakal Williams, and Treven Easter who can go the distance at anytime.
The Bulldog defense may bend but as the playoffs approach, Brunswick's defense isn't bending much. Jaheem McFarland is a force on the defensive line and can be a match up nightmare for many o-lineman. Daylan Owens (brother of Darren) is a great tackler and runs to the ball like led to a magnet. The defense as a whole must bring the same intensity that they showed last week.
PREDICTION: No bad weather in this one. Depth however does favor the Bulldogs while experience rules for Surry. If the Cougars can shutdown Owens then they will fear no team in the playoffs for 1A. The height advantage at wide outs will decide this one.
Brunswick 34 Surry County 28[/B]
The Pointers will have to get to Jacob Jones early and often to stay in this one.
WEST POINT (4-4) at KING WILLIAM (6-2)[/B]
The Pointers are in search for that one game to spark their enthusiasm. This would be it. However, Jacob Jones and company has too much firepower for West Point to deal with in this one. Coach Dylan DeHart for the Cavaliers will be looking to see improvement that will carry over into the playoffs. If Coach LC Briggs wants to change the outcome of this one them Chase Stewart and Montell Allen must produce big in order to have a chance for the upset. The Cavaliers won't be having that.
PREDICTION: King William 50 West Point 20[/B]
Colonial Beach will be very dangerous come playoff time.[/B]
OTHER REGION A GAMES[/B]
Arcadia 20 Kent (MD) 6
Colonial Beach 46 Lancaster 13
Rappahannock 38 Northumberland 14
Charles City 56 Mathews 7
King & Queen 20 Middlesex 14
Sussex Central 44 Greensville Co. 26
Franklin 58 Windsor 20
Nandua 36 Northampton 6[/I]
EXTRA POINT[/B]
All eyes will be on Region A as a victory by Washington & Lee should secure spots for Altavista and Parry McCluer. If Essex wins then that could be major to the seeding. Surry County can crash the party if they can win in front of their home crowd. Brunswick will need the victory in order to lock up hosting the first two rounds.
This season has been one of the best for not having many games moved due to weather. Its time for the cold gear to be gotten out but it signifies the clocks falling back and the soon ending of another regular season. Time surely goes fast when your having fun. Make sure you go out and cherish this exciting week.
This post was edited on 10/30 12:25 AM by TheSel2
KEY GAMES:[/B]
Leo Gaskins has to play huge Saturday.
ESSEX (6-2) at WASHINGTON & LEE (8-0)[/B]
Usually when a forecast for windy conditions, rain, and some of the coldest air this season who spell bad news for production for Essex in the past. Not this team. The Trojans passing game has taken a backseat to the running attack led by Leo Gaskins, Sterling Hammond, and Malik Martin. Even passing record quarterback Dominek Broaddus is a threat to hurt teams with his legs.
Washington & Lee has done what they needed to do to win each and every game. Many don't believe this game will be any different. Even how great Essex was last season, they struggled to get by the Eagles in their house. Now under Coach Todd Jones, Washington & Lee plans to locked down the #1 seed and clinch at least a share of the Northern Neck title. These Eagles can execute on the ground very well with leadershipfrom quarterback Treshaun Brown and solid running from Marion Pollard and Dexter Thompson.
KEYS TO VICTORY:[/I]
Essex will have to force Washington & Lee to several 3rd and longs to give their secondary opportunities to create turnovers and the d-line chances to get sacks. If the Trojans can't allow this to happen or Pollard will move the chains and the Eagles to put a smile on a Dogwood district team's face.
The Eagles must force Essex to throw. Sounds crazy huh? Not by giving attractive looks in the secondary but by shutting down the running game. If W&L can live in the backfield and create losses they must pressure Broaddus into be very uncomfortable in the pocket. That will tilt things in their favor.
PREDICTION: Neither team should have success throwing ball much. Look for many carries from Gaskins and Hammond each. Essex wants a shot again in Salem. Saturday will prove them worthy.
Essex 28 Washington & Lee 14[/B]
Brunswick has won 5 in a row but the Cougars are looking for to go into the playoffs undefeated.
BRUNSWICK (5-3) at SURRY COUNTY (8-0)[/B]
Surry County has continued to excel to great heights with outstanding play from their offense and defense. Coach Ervin Jones knew after last year's playoff exit that Timothy Marsh Jr. would be behind center leading the squad. It has proven to be a great decision. Marsh has gotten better each week and has utilized all the weapons around him to push the Cougars to great achievements. Receivers Dreheim Davis, Drequan Claiborne, and Jarad Barry give him gamebreaking targets while Ahkeem Briggs grinds it out on the ground.
On defense Surry has been solid behind great play from leaders Steve Smallwood Jr.and Ricky Wooden. The balance attack of the Cougars benefits greatly with a defense that creates turnovers and make big plays consistently. Their aggressive style rubs off on the offensive line and will be put to the test in the biggest challenge of the season.
Brunswick is that big challenge for Surry, with a balance attack themselves, and a quarterback who seldom makes mistakes. Darren Owens is playing much better than last season as age and experience has shown up in his actions. He will take on a defense that will have him on the run. Luckily for the Bulldogs, Owens has great weapons like Marshall King Jr., Jakal Williams, and Treven Easter who can go the distance at anytime.
The Bulldog defense may bend but as the playoffs approach, Brunswick's defense isn't bending much. Jaheem McFarland is a force on the defensive line and can be a match up nightmare for many o-lineman. Daylan Owens (brother of Darren) is a great tackler and runs to the ball like led to a magnet. The defense as a whole must bring the same intensity that they showed last week.
PREDICTION: No bad weather in this one. Depth however does favor the Bulldogs while experience rules for Surry. If the Cougars can shutdown Owens then they will fear no team in the playoffs for 1A. The height advantage at wide outs will decide this one.
Brunswick 34 Surry County 28[/B]
The Pointers will have to get to Jacob Jones early and often to stay in this one.
WEST POINT (4-4) at KING WILLIAM (6-2)[/B]
The Pointers are in search for that one game to spark their enthusiasm. This would be it. However, Jacob Jones and company has too much firepower for West Point to deal with in this one. Coach Dylan DeHart for the Cavaliers will be looking to see improvement that will carry over into the playoffs. If Coach LC Briggs wants to change the outcome of this one them Chase Stewart and Montell Allen must produce big in order to have a chance for the upset. The Cavaliers won't be having that.
PREDICTION: King William 50 West Point 20[/B]
Colonial Beach will be very dangerous come playoff time.[/B]
OTHER REGION A GAMES[/B]
Arcadia 20 Kent (MD) 6
Colonial Beach 46 Lancaster 13
Rappahannock 38 Northumberland 14
Charles City 56 Mathews 7
King & Queen 20 Middlesex 14
Sussex Central 44 Greensville Co. 26
Franklin 58 Windsor 20
Nandua 36 Northampton 6[/I]
EXTRA POINT[/B]
All eyes will be on Region A as a victory by Washington & Lee should secure spots for Altavista and Parry McCluer. If Essex wins then that could be major to the seeding. Surry County can crash the party if they can win in front of their home crowd. Brunswick will need the victory in order to lock up hosting the first two rounds.
This season has been one of the best for not having many games moved due to weather. Its time for the cold gear to be gotten out but it signifies the clocks falling back and the soon ending of another regular season. Time surely goes fast when your having fun. Make sure you go out and cherish this exciting week.
This post was edited on 10/30 12:25 AM by TheSel2
