#16 Bruton vs #1 Riverheads
Briton comes in with just a 2-8 record as they play in the very tough Bay Rivers District where all the other schools are of higher classifications. Their best win was over a 7-3 Poquoson team back in September but they enter on a 4 game losing streak and now have to make the long bus ride to the Gladiators. Riverheads is coming off a hard fought ot win over a solid Luray team. Although many predicted a cakewalk win those two are big rivals and this game showed that. That could even serve as a wakeup call. Look for the Gladiators to come out and make a statement early in this one
Riverheads 49 Bruton 12
#9 King William vs #8 Strasburg
This game could be a virtual tossup. The Rams are coming off an emotional win over Central Woodstock. A team they hadn't beaten in 7 years. Behind qb Mark Smoot they have a formidable passing attack. Their weakness however has been stopping the run game and they've had several close wins over teams they probably should have beaten by more. KW enters at 8-2 but haven't had a close game all year. Their 8 wins have all been blowouts where in their two losses 35-0 to Essex and 32-14 to Washington & Lee they were on the receiving end. They do have a rb in Camajae Peatross who can make the Rams pay if their run defense isn't up to par. This game should be highly entertaining.
King William 36 Strasburg 22
#12 Amelia vs # 5 Nottoway
This is a rematch of an early season game won by Nottoway 24-0. The Cougars have put the entire state on notice with victories over Goochland, Buckingham and Lunenburg. Amelia has beaten the teams they've supposed to beat but have come up shorthanded against the tougher teams on their schedule. I don't see that changing here.
Nottoway 38 Amelia 6
#13 Nandua vs #4 Clarke County
Nandua opened some eyes early in the season with a win over Franklin but that has lost some luster now as the Broncos finished below .500. Clarke on the other hand has dominated everyone on the way to a 10-0 season with their closest win being 16 points over Strasburg. The Eagles will soon be tested but I think that comes in the next round and not here
Clarke County 49 Nandua 13
#11 Luray vs #6 Brunswick
This could be the best game of the first round. Luray comes in at 7-3 and coming off a tough ot loss to Riverheads. Playing in a tough district no doubt will have them battle tested. Brunswick comes in with an identical 7-3 record but winners of 7 straight. Last years state runners up were left for dead in September but a slew of injuries played a part in that. Now with everyone healthy including qb Darren Owens they will be a tough out for anyone. With a 47-0 victory over Sussex and a 21-20 win over previously unbeaten Surrey in recent weeks they look to make a return trip to Salem. I think Owens is the difference maker here.
Brunswick 28 Luray 13
#14 Buffalo Gap vs #3 Goochland
The Bison come in at 5-5 but haven't really been competitive in the games against quality opponents. The Bulldogs are perennial title contenders with loads of big game experience and that will pay huge dividends in this one. Look for Reid Chenault and Jordan Jefferson to get going early in this one.
Goochland 56 Buffalo Gap 7
#10 R.E. Lee vs #7 East Rockingham
Another game that I think could go either way. The Leemen come in winners of 6 of their last 7 and from what I've heard have the potential to compete with anyone. East Rockingham comes in at 8-2 with both losses to top teams in Wilson Memorial and Riverheads. Some thought they may be able to slide in and upset one of those two before the season started. That didn't happen but they are still a team on the rise. I think this one comes down to the wire.
East Rockingham 21 Lee 20
#15 Prince Edward vs #2 Wilson Memorial
The Eagles come in at 4-6 on the season. They've put up some points in a lot of their games even in defeat. However their defense has given up a lot as well. Wilson is 2 points away from being undefeated and have tons of playoff experience. With their great senior class wanting to finally get over the hump and make it to Salem look for them to take the first step here.
Wilson 63 Prince Edward 8
These are just my thoughts and predictions. Feel free to agree or disagree. Either way please feel free to comment. This is shaping up to be a great playoffs. Good luck to all teams and safe travels to all.
This post was edited on 11/8 3:35 PM by kwhs95fan
Briton comes in with just a 2-8 record as they play in the very tough Bay Rivers District where all the other schools are of higher classifications. Their best win was over a 7-3 Poquoson team back in September but they enter on a 4 game losing streak and now have to make the long bus ride to the Gladiators. Riverheads is coming off a hard fought ot win over a solid Luray team. Although many predicted a cakewalk win those two are big rivals and this game showed that. That could even serve as a wakeup call. Look for the Gladiators to come out and make a statement early in this one
Riverheads 49 Bruton 12
#9 King William vs #8 Strasburg
This game could be a virtual tossup. The Rams are coming off an emotional win over Central Woodstock. A team they hadn't beaten in 7 years. Behind qb Mark Smoot they have a formidable passing attack. Their weakness however has been stopping the run game and they've had several close wins over teams they probably should have beaten by more. KW enters at 8-2 but haven't had a close game all year. Their 8 wins have all been blowouts where in their two losses 35-0 to Essex and 32-14 to Washington & Lee they were on the receiving end. They do have a rb in Camajae Peatross who can make the Rams pay if their run defense isn't up to par. This game should be highly entertaining.
King William 36 Strasburg 22
#12 Amelia vs # 5 Nottoway
This is a rematch of an early season game won by Nottoway 24-0. The Cougars have put the entire state on notice with victories over Goochland, Buckingham and Lunenburg. Amelia has beaten the teams they've supposed to beat but have come up shorthanded against the tougher teams on their schedule. I don't see that changing here.
Nottoway 38 Amelia 6
#13 Nandua vs #4 Clarke County
Nandua opened some eyes early in the season with a win over Franklin but that has lost some luster now as the Broncos finished below .500. Clarke on the other hand has dominated everyone on the way to a 10-0 season with their closest win being 16 points over Strasburg. The Eagles will soon be tested but I think that comes in the next round and not here
Clarke County 49 Nandua 13
#11 Luray vs #6 Brunswick
This could be the best game of the first round. Luray comes in at 7-3 and coming off a tough ot loss to Riverheads. Playing in a tough district no doubt will have them battle tested. Brunswick comes in with an identical 7-3 record but winners of 7 straight. Last years state runners up were left for dead in September but a slew of injuries played a part in that. Now with everyone healthy including qb Darren Owens they will be a tough out for anyone. With a 47-0 victory over Sussex and a 21-20 win over previously unbeaten Surrey in recent weeks they look to make a return trip to Salem. I think Owens is the difference maker here.
Brunswick 28 Luray 13
#14 Buffalo Gap vs #3 Goochland
The Bison come in at 5-5 but haven't really been competitive in the games against quality opponents. The Bulldogs are perennial title contenders with loads of big game experience and that will pay huge dividends in this one. Look for Reid Chenault and Jordan Jefferson to get going early in this one.
Goochland 56 Buffalo Gap 7
#10 R.E. Lee vs #7 East Rockingham
Another game that I think could go either way. The Leemen come in winners of 6 of their last 7 and from what I've heard have the potential to compete with anyone. East Rockingham comes in at 8-2 with both losses to top teams in Wilson Memorial and Riverheads. Some thought they may be able to slide in and upset one of those two before the season started. That didn't happen but they are still a team on the rise. I think this one comes down to the wire.
East Rockingham 21 Lee 20
#15 Prince Edward vs #2 Wilson Memorial
The Eagles come in at 4-6 on the season. They've put up some points in a lot of their games even in defeat. However their defense has given up a lot as well. Wilson is 2 points away from being undefeated and have tons of playoff experience. With their great senior class wanting to finally get over the hump and make it to Salem look for them to take the first step here.
Wilson 63 Prince Edward 8
These are just my thoughts and predictions. Feel free to agree or disagree. Either way please feel free to comment. This is shaping up to be a great playoffs. Good luck to all teams and safe travels to all.
This post was edited on 11/8 3:35 PM by kwhs95fan
