It's getting closer to the finish line of the regular season and playoff football in November. Let's catch you up to speed on how the Predictions are doing between VaPreps Publisher Matthew Hatfield and his ESPN Radio 94.1 counterpart, Coach Ed Young, before revealing our forecasted winners for this weekend...
Hatfield's 10/20 Thursday Total - 2-0 (100%)
Hatfield's 2022 Season Total - 234-46 (83.6%)
Hatfield's Tidewater Season Total - 159-24 (86.9%)
Coach Young's 10/20 Thursday Total - 2-0 (100%)
Coach Young's 2022 Season Total - 157-29 (84.4%)
Coach Young's Tidewater Season Total - 155-28 (84.7%)
State Game of the Week:
Fairfax (7-0) at Lake Braddock (7-0) . . . Coming in, Fairfax has scored 48 touchdowns and the Lions average 42.3 points per game with their closest contest being a 42-21 win over a West Potomac team that is 5-2 overall. Fairfax has a Top 250 prospect in the country in RB/LB Tony Rojas, who has 18 tackles and three sacks on defense, where he will play for Penn State. Offensively, he's rushed for 947 yards and 18 TD's on 12.6 yards per pop, plus has nine catches for 211 yards and a couple more scores. The Fairfax defense has 12 sacks and 12 takeaways, including three interceptions from senior FS Dylan Lyrle. They're giving up just under seven points per game with three shutouts to their credit.
As for Lake Braddock, the Bruins put up 48.9 points per game, though bend a bit more defensively in allowing 16.3 PPG. At quarterback, Delaware commit Daniel Lipovski is having a heck of a season with 1539 yards and a 20-1 TD/Int. ratio on 64.3% completions (74 of 115). Four different receivers have more than 200 yards for the Bruins with senior Evan Harrington (25Rec. 547Yds. 8 TD's) leading the way. There is balance with running back Elliot Meine, who has 19 rushing scores among his 21 total TD's and is already over 1000 yards on the ground with 1155 on 108 attempts. Defensively, the Bruins have 33 sacks and 10 interceptions, five of which have been made by junior LB Ryan Matheny.
This figures to be a high-scoring, back-and-forth tussle. With Lake Braddock being a bit more explosive through the air and experienced for these type of showdowns, that could lend itself to giving them a slight advantage at home. Not to mention, the Bruins are 6-0 all-time against Fairfax, which includes a 34-27 triumph last year.
Matt Hatfield Says - Lake Braddock 40-35
Coach Ed Young Says – Lake Braddock 36-28
Quick Hitters Outside of Tidewater:
Colonial Forge (4-3) at Riverbend (6-1) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Riverbend 20-14
Alexandria City (4-3) at West Springfield (6-1) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - West Springfield 36-23
South County (6-1) at West Potomac (5-2) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - South County 28-21
Westfield (6-1) at Madison (4-3) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Madison 14-13
Eastern View (7-1) at King George (6-0) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - King George 28-13
Independence (6-1) at Loudon County (7-0) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Independence 22-16
Brookville (5-2) at Amherst (6-1) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Brookville 30-19
Wilson Memorial (5-2) at Stuarts Draft (5-2) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Stuarts Draft 20-13
Strasburg (6-1) at Luray (6-1) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Strasburg 21-14
Radford (7-0) at Floyd County (6-1) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Radford 27-12
Ridgeview (7-0) at Abingdon (4-3) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Ridgeview 30-20
Buffalo Gap (4-3) at Staunton (7-0) . . .
Matt Hatfield Says - Buffalo Gap 23-17
Tidewater Matchups for Friday 10/21/22:
Woodside (6-1) at Phoebus (7-0) . . . The Woodside defense is responsible for a total of four shutouts on the season, giving up just 6.5 points per game as DE Christian Greenlaw and LB Mustapha Coley lead a stifling unit. But this one could come down to if the Wolverines can get QB Tayvon Tyler to sustain multiple scoring drives on a Phoebus defense that has given up only six points the entire year, which came to Bethel subs. Pittsburgh commit Jordan Bass has been a one-man wrecking crew from his safety spot, while the Phantoms offense with QB Nolan James, RB Ty Taylor and a host of receivers have had no trouble to this point finding the end zone.
Matt Hatfield Says - Phoebus 27-10
Coach Ed Young Says – Phoebus 24-14
Nansemond River (5-2) at Oscar Smith (6-0) . . . Damon Etheridge has been a revelation to the Tigers, who overcame a 21-17 second quarter deficit to score the final 35 points at King’s Fork thanks in large part to this three interceptions, raising his season count to eight. If Nansemond River QB Alkendric Overton can avoid the miscues that plagued the Bulldogs, this one might stand a chance to be closer than most are anticipating.
Matt Hatfield Says - Oscar Smith 41-14
Coach Ed Young Says – Oscar Smith 28-12
Western Branch (7-1) at Deep Creek (4-3) . . . It’s a crucial spot for the Hornets as two of the area’s best running backs will be on display with Deep Creek’s Brandon Nesbit (88Att. 843Yds. 14 TD’s) and Western Branch’s Shimique Blizzard (73Car. 1031Yds. 15 TD’s), who’s looking for a springboard before a huge showdown with Oscar Smith to close out October.
Matt Hatfield Says - Western Branch 28-16
Coach Ed Young Says – Western Branch 28-20
King's Fork (6-1) at Hickory (1-6) . . . One can expect the Bulldogs, who out-gained Oscar Smith by nearly 200 yards in last week’s loss, to be mighty angry about throwing four interceptions and giving up two special teams touchdowns with the Hawks, a team allowing 38.6 points per game, likely to feel the wrath of that frustration.
Matt Hatfield Says - King's Fork 56-6
Coach Ed Young Says – King’s Fork 45-0
Lake Taylor (6-1) at Manor (1-6) . . . With 18 sacks on the year, UVA commit Anthony Britton of the Titans sits six shy of Eric Sykes’ single-season school-record, so the Mustangs may provide him an opportunity to draw closer to that mark.
Matt Hatfield Says - Lake Taylor 42-7
Coach Ed Young Says – Lake Taylor 33-0
Warwick (7-1) at Gloucester (1-6) . . . Rather quietly, Bethel transfer Messiah Delhomme is enjoying quite the season for the Raiders with 21 catches for 431 yards and 3 TD’s, plus four interceptions, two of which he’s returned for scores.
Matt Hatfield Says - Warwick 48-8
Coach Ed Young Says – Warwick 44-0
First Colonial (2-5) at Cox (6-1) . . . It’s hard to believe that the First Colonial defense, which gave up 502 total yards to Tallwood as the Lions set a new school-record, will be able to keep Cox playmaker Jordin Cooper out of the end zone in this one as the Falcons seek their sixth straight win after a 1-1 start.
Matt Hatfield Says - Cox 35-17
Coach Ed Young Says – Cox 28-7
Lafayette (6-1) at Jamestown (0-7) . . . With 27 catches for 638 yards and 8 TD’s, Navy commit Jaylen Pretlow is having another fine season for the Rams and should benefit facing a Jamestown defense allowing 48.3 points per game in 2022.
Matt Hatfield Says - Lafayette 52-0
Coach Ed Young Says – Lafayette 50-6
Indian River (4-3) at Great Bridge (2-5) . . . Since erupting for 48 points in a win over Lakeland, the Great Bridge offense has been dormant the past three games, putting up a total of just 14 in losses to fellow Chesapeake schools Western Branch, Oscar Smith and Grassfield.
Matt Hatfield Says - Indian River 41-14
Coach Ed Young Says – Indian River 33-8
New Kent (3-4) at Tabb (1-6) . . . The Tigers certainly have confidence after upending Smithfield 21-14, but their offense that is generating only 8.9 points per game needs to get off to a fast start and play from in front on a New Kent team that is trying to avoid a fifth loss in six games.
Matt Hatfield Says - Tabb 13-12
Coach Ed Young Says – New Kent 13-12
York (5-2) at Smithfield (2-5) . . . The Falcons recovered from the 14-7 loss to New Kent with a satisfying 58-0 shutout of Jamestown a week ago, and they now take on a Smithfield defense that has yielded 32.8 points per game during a four-game losing skid.
Matt Hatfield Says - York 30-15
Coach Ed Young Says – York 26-14
Poquoson (5-2) vs. Bruton (5-2) at William & Mary . . . All eyes at Zable Stadium will be on whether or not the Poquoson defense that is giving up just 9.6 points per game can slow down Bruton tailback Trey Corbin, the area’s leading rusher for 1110 yards and 19 TD’s on 146 carries.
Matt Hatfield Says - Poquoson 24-13
Coach Ed Young Says – Poquoson 27-26
Ocean Lakes (1-7) at Bayside (4-4) . . . Marlins QB Mike Myers completed 16 of 26 passes for a career-high 321 yards and 3 TD’s in last week’s 35-0 shutout of Kellam.
Matt Hatfield Says - Bayside 28-6
Coach Ed Young Says – Bayside 33-8
Kellam (3-4) at Landstown (3-4) . . . The Knights had a hard time stopping the Bayside passing game in their 35-0 loss last week, but can the Eagles get their offense on track after scoring a grand total of just 18 points during a four-game losing skid?
Matt Hatfield Says - Landstown 21-16
Coach Ed Young Says – Landstown 27-20
Princess Anne (0-7) at Tallwood (2-5) . . . Much of the credit for Tallwood rushing for a school-record 432 yards in last week’s 47-33 victory over First Colonial has to go to that o-line with Isaiah Coley, Jermane Becket, Tyler Ziemba, Tavin Whitehead, Luke Beachum and Elijah Coley.
Matt Hatfield Says - Tallwood 42-12
Coach Ed Young Says – Tallwood 24-6
Granby (0-6) at Booker T. Washington (2-5) . . . The Bookers have been held to just 13.8 points per game during a four-game losing streak, but can get better real fast against a Granby defense giving up nearly 34 points per contest.
Matt Hatfield Says - Booker T. Washington 36-6
Coach Ed Young Says – Booker T. Washington 28-12
Hampton (2-5) at Heritage-NN (3-4) . . . Despite the 24-10 loss to Warwick last week, the Canes can close the season on a three-game winning streak and secure a winning record, which can’t be said for a Crabbers team that has been shut out on four occasions this year.
Matt Hatfield Says - Heritage-NN 20-14 (OT)
Coach Ed Young Says – Heritage 24-20
SATURDAY 10/22 Slate in Tidewater:
Green Run (7-0) at Salem-VB (5-2) . . . There’s a lot of spice and intrigue to this one. For starters, interim Salem Head Coach Mark Hall is a former Green Run All-Region performer who went on to play his College Football at UVA. As recent as last year, he was an assistant for a Stallions team that won its first regional title in school history and continues to put up eye-popping numbers, averaging 48 points per game on the season.
Two of the area’s best passers go head-to-head with Green Run senior signal caller Kevin White and Salem sophomore Jason ‘Scooter’ Williams. White figures to have more receiving threats at his disposal, namely with highly regarded junior prospects Keylen ‘Brodie’ Adams and Tasean Young-Stieff. Many are also looking forward to the matchup in the trenches, where Salem sophomore DE Ari Watford is one of the nation’s best recruits and Green Run mammoth freshman tackle Thomas Wilder is beginning to turn heads.
Salem can keep this close if they’re able to effectively run the football and convert third downs, which Bayside did two Saturdays ago in building a 7-0 lead on the Stallions late in the second quarter. The biggest key will be protecting the football and getting their defense to disrupt the timing of a lethal Green Run air attack engineered by White.
Matt Hatfield Says - Green Run 36-20
Coach Ed Young Says – Green Run 28-18
Norcom (6-2) at Churchland (4-3) . . . This is a big test for Norcom as the Greyhounds have won six of their past seven games since a 41-0 shellacking at the hands of Lake Taylor in the opener. Jaden Ratliff, who’s garnering more D-1 attention, and Kendall Hall Edwards lead a defense giving up just 8.1 PPG in that span. Slowing down a Churchland ground game that routinely gets over 300 yards on the ground with Dontavious Booker, Leon Clark and QB Brandyn Hillman, who’s back from his visit to Notre Dame, will be no easy chore.
What probably determines the outcome more than anything is what the Norcom offense does against a Churchland defense that had its struggles stopping big plays against both Lake Taylor and Maury the past two weeks
Matt Hatfield Says - Churchland 18-16
Coach Ed Young Says – Norcom 18-17
Kecoughtan (4-3) at Denbigh (0-8) . . . Although Kecoughtan is still smarting from the 62-0 loss to Phoebus a week ago, the Patriots ought to offer a quick way to recover since Denbigh has yet to hold any opponent below 42 points this season.
Matt Hatfield Says - Kecoughtan 44-6
Coach Ed Young Says – Kecoughtan 35-0
