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Predictions VHSL Football Picks for Friday 11/4/22 & Saturday 11/5/22

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Jul 20, 2004
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November High School Football arrived, which is always good because that means the playoffs are literally right around the corner.

Here's a quick review of the Picks between VaPreps Publisher Matthew Hatfield and his ESPN Radio 94.1 counterpart on 757 Saturday Sports Talk, Coach Ed Young, as we hit the first Friday of November...

Hatfield's 11/3 Thursday Total - 4-1 (80%)
Hatfield's 2022 Season Total - 295-52 (85%)
Hatfield's Tidewater Total on 11/3 Thursday - 3-0 (100%)
Hatfield's Tidewater Total for 2022 - 202-27 (88.2%)

Coach Young's 11/3 Thursday Total - 4-0 (100%)
Coach Young's 2022 Season Total - 199-35 (85%)
Coach Young's Tidewater Season Total - 196-33 (85.6%)

Hatfield's lone whiff on Thursday night came with King William handling King & Queen to wrap up its regular season at 7-3 overall.

Let's now look at this weekend's games to finish the regular season...


Richmond Showdown:

Thomas Dale (9-0) at Dinwiddie (9-0) . . .
Read Byron Jones Preview on VaPreps Here.

Byron's Pick - Thomas Dale 24, Dinwiddie 21
Danny's Pick - Thomas Dale 36, Dinwiddie 35 (OT)
Matt Hatfield's Pick - Dinwiddie 28, Thomas Dale 27
Coach Ed Young’s Pick – Thomas Dale 30, Dinwiddie 28


NoVA Showdown:

Patriot (9-0) at Battlefield (9-0) . . .
Even though Freedom has completed perfect 10-0 regular season to wrap up the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Region 6B playoffs, this game has significant meaning. The victor here gets the No. 2 seed and bragging rights as the best team in the Cedar Run District for the 2022 campaign. Battlefield is looking for its fourth unbeaten regular season since 2008 as they try to extend their win streak outside of the playoffs to 23 games. Patriot hasn't gone 10-0 since 2012 and they've dropped the past three meetings to the Bobcats, including in a 42-41 thriller a season ago.

It's a great contrast of high-powered offense against stingy defense as Patriot comes in putting up 50.9 points per game, fresh off that school-record of 76 points vs. Champe, while Battlefield gives up a mere 6.4 PPG. So will it be determined instead by the Battlefield offense and how it does against the Patriot defense? Quite possibly.

Braden Boggs has successfully made the conversion from wide receiver to quarterback with just one interception thrown for the season for the Bobcats. He's got a steady complement in running back Jelon Johnson (153Att. 917Yds. 13 TD's) and a solid receiving core, led by Brandon Binkowski (35Rec. 546Yds. 10 TD's).

On the other hand, Patriot has weapons galore with QB Sam Fernandez (56 of 82 for 1108Yds. 11-2 TD/Int. ratio), RB Quentin Harrison (19 TD's), RB Jackson McCarter (108Car. 816Yds. 11 TD's) and WR Gabe Bigbee (39Rec. 726Yds. 9 TD's) behind a sturdy o-line. Up front, UVA commit Cole Surber and Elon pledge Braden Chandler pave the way and make it possible for the Pioneers to be so prolific offensively.

The Battlefield defense shouldn't be intimidated, though. With a pair of FBS commits on defense in lineman Ty Gordon (ODU commit) and safety Caleb Woodson (Virginia Tech commit), the Bobcats have Championship pedigree. They are reigning Region 6B Champs for a reason, and if they are to get back to the State Semis, it just might require going through these hungry Pioneers not once, but twice.

Matt Hatfield Says - Battlefield 30-26
Coach Ed Young Says – Battlefield 24-21



TIDEWATER Showdown on Saturday Darling Stadium:

Oscar Smith (8-0) at Phoebus (9-0) . . .
All year, the Phoebus Phantoms have given up 20 points, and when you really think about it, their starting unit has yet to be scored on because two of those touchdowns were opening kickoff returns by Gloucester and Woodside. Furthermore, the six points allowed to Bethel were with backups in the game in the second half. They take on an Oscar Smith team that walloped them 42-0 a year ago in Chesapeake, yet both squads went on to win state titles; the Tigers in Class 6 and Phantoms in Class 3.

This year’s Oscar Smith team has had some close calls, including a 2-0 win at Western Branch a week ago where a safety was the only scoring play. The Tigers suffered some key injuries with their top two rushers in Isaac Huffman and Jamauri ‘Bam’ Knox, who is not likely to return any time soon, if at all for the playoffs. Despite alternating quarterbacks much of the season, they seem to have settled on Greenbrier Christian transfer Cade Cox (829 yards, 10 TD’s passing), who has some quality receivers with West Virginia commit Tory Johnson Jr. (14Rec. 264Yds. 5 TD’s) and Xavier Lewis (13Rec. 216Yds. 5 TD’s).

Where Oscar Smith dominated this game a year ago was up front in the trenches. While they don’t have Caleb Jones breaking things down from his d-line spot, the o-line has a couple of next-level seniors to lead the way in Tajh Boyd (Liberty) and Brock Stukes (North Carolina A&T), plus the defense remains hard-nosed and opportunistic in holding opponents to 9.4 points per game. Damon ‘D.J.’ Etheridge has a Southeastern District-best eight interceptions, three of which came in their comeback win over King’s Fork. Junior edge rusher Jerrod Wilson Jr. also made the pivotal play on a scoop and score in the second half in their 19-17 comeback from 17 down to beat Indian River.

Phoebus has a seasoned defense with JMU commit Mychal McMullin and highly regarded junior Anthony Reddick anchoring the d-line as well as head-hunter Jordan Bass ready to deliver a big blow from his safety / linebacker hybrid spot. Bass is committed to Pittsburgh and also a major component to an offense that is throwing the football well behind Nolan James, a newcomer from Nansemond River. On three occasions, James has had both over 100 yards passing and rushing. Plus, he’s got support with ball carriers Ty Taylor and Davion Roberts to go with complementary receiving options in Keyontae Gray and Jayden Earley.

Logic would say to go with Phoebus in this spot for a few different reasons. They have arguably the best player on the field in Bass, the ability to move the ball running or throwing, and seem to be healthier than a Tigers team dealing with a couple of key injuries. But if it’s close like we’d expect it to be and a much different game than the 2021 rout, the Tigers know how to perform in those pressure-packed situations as good as anyone around in Tidewater. They’ve gotten special teams scores when they need them, timely takeaways when opportunities present themselves, and Phoebus will have to prove that they are equal or better in the trenches in my eyes to complete an unbeaten regular season.

Matt Hatfield Says – Oscar Smith 20-16
Coach Ed Young Says – Oscar Smith 14-13


More Key Matchups Around VA:

Lake Braddock (8-1) at South County (8-1) . . .
As stellar as Delaware commit Daniel Lipovski and running back Elliot Meine have been in the offensive backfield for Lake Braddock, one can’t help to be wowed by what Miles Greer is doing in multiple phases for South County. Besides his 18 tackles last week against Alexandria City, he returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown. Greer has seven special teams touchdowns and five interceptions this season, so he’s quite capable of making that play that swings it in the Stallions’ favor.

Matt Hatfield Says – South County 34-30


Liberty Christian (9-0) at E.C. Glass (8-1) . . .
This is an enormous Seminole District clash as the Hilltoppers try to knock off the reigning Region 3C Champs and in the process hold off both Louisa and Salem for the top playoff seed in Region 4D. To do it, their bread and butter is the passing game with George White (93 of 152 for 1365 yards and a 16-7 TD/Int. ratio) firing to a host of receivers. LCA counters with a defense that has gained confidence as this season has gone along and a sophomore running back in Gideon Davidson (136Att. 1397Yds. 23 TD’s), who is as good as any in the state. Eying a perfe

Matt Hatfield Says – Liberty Christian 27-20


Riverbend (8-1) at Mountain View (8-1) . . . Both teams have the ability to throw the ball with considerable success behind Tanner Triplett for Riverbend, targeting Penn State recruit and jumbo-sized tight end Mathias ‘Mega’ Barnwell, and with Jackson Sigler for Mountain View. Where the Wildcats may have the edge in trying to avenge last year’s loss to the Bears in the regular season finale is with their running game, featuring Syracuse recruit Ike Daniels (98Att. 1190Yds. 14 TD’s).

Matt Hatfield Says – Mountain View 26-18


West Springfield (8-1) at Fairfax (9-0) . . . The Spartans have put up 38.2 points per game and come in with just one blemish. Meanwhile, Fairfax has been mowing down opponents, led by four-star Penn State recruit Tony Rojas, a stud at both running back and linebacker. West Springfield will need to contain him and give time to Emmanuel Baskerville (18 TD passes) in the pocket to find WR Aaron Fields Jr. and company to get a huge road win over a team that’s looking more and more like the Occoquan Region 6C favorite.

Matt Hatfield Says – Fairfax 35-23


Twin Springs (6-2) at Rye Cove (6-1) . . .
First-year Head Coach Gary Coliier has worked wonders at Rye Cove, now a win away from their first Cumberland District crown since 2005. Standing in their way is one of the best running backs in all of Southwest VA in Ryan Horne, who has rushed for a school-record 1540 yards and 23 touchdowns without a lost fumble.

Matt Hatfield Says – Twin Springs 26-14


Strasburg (8-1) at Central-Woodstock (8-1) . . .
Fresh off a 42-0 thumping of William Monroe, the Falcons of Central-Woodstock have gotten back to their routine since the unexpected 41-25 loss to Luray back on October 7. The running game is picking up steam with Tyler Forbes and Nazaiah Merit combining for 1230 yards and 22 TD’s on the ground. They take on a Strasburg defense that is among the best in all of Class 2 in holding opponents to a mere 151 total yards and seven points per game, so something has to give in this matchup. Central has lost only three times in the past 18 encounters.

Matt Hatfield Says – Central-Woodstock 24-21


Sherando (6-3) at Kettle Run (9-0) . . .
Until last year’s 57-35 breakthrough by Kettle Run, Sherando had led the all-time series 7-0. Now the Warriors take on a Kettle Run team with one of the state’s most accomplished receivers in VMI commit Jordan Tapscott, plus a running back in Colton Quaker, who ran for 237 yards on Handley the last time out. Sherando’s defense leans on linebacker Josh Metz and defensive lineman Kaleb Nowlin, both of whom will need to make plays in the backfield to keep Kettle Run from attacking over the top for big plays.

Matt Hatfield Says – Kettle Run 31-21


Stuarts Draft (7-2) at Riverheads (7-1) . . . Since their 35-21 loss to Lord Botetourt where star Cayden Cook-Cash left with an injury, the Gladiators have gotten back to business as usual. Their last five wins have all been by 20 or more points, including a 49-14 rout of Fort Defiance where Cook-Cash broke off long scoring runs of 97 and 53 yards. The Stuarts Draft defense will have to handle him to have any chance of snapping their six-game losing skid in the head-to-head series.

Matt Hatfield Says – Riverheads 35-14


Lafayette (8-1) at Warhill (7-2) . . . A year ago when Warhill beat Lafayette 14-7 for their first ever victory over the Rams in 17 tries, they had arguably the best player on the field in Noah Holmes. That probably can’t be said this season with both DeMarcus Lawrence able to damage defenses with strong running between the tackles as well as receiver Jaylen Pretlow, a Navy commit, able to stretch opponents out vertically. Warhill’s best chance to win is controlling Time of Possession with backs Jaedyn McAdoo and Liam Francisque and keeping the Lafayette offense off the field in a low-scoring, defensive struggle.

Matt Hatfield Says – Lafayette 19-13
Coach Ed Young Says – Lafayette 28-24


Rest of Tidewater Slate:

Landstown (3-6) at Green Run (9-0) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Green Run 49-7
Coach Ed Young Says – Green Run 33-12


Kempsville (8-1) at First Colonial (3-6) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Kempsville 36-12
Coach Ed Young Says – Kempsville 32-6


Cox (7-2) at Kellam (4-5) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Cox 30-10
Coach Ed Young Says – Cox 24-14


Tallwood (2-7) at Ocean Lakes (1-8) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Tallwood 26-13
Coach Ed Young Says – Tallwood 17-14


Salem-VB (6-3) at Princess Anne (0-9) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Salem-VB 48-8
Coach Ed Young Says – Salem-VB 40-0


Maury (6-1) at Norview (4-5) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Maury 35-0
Coach Ed Young Says – Maury 38-6


Booker T. Washington (3-6) at Manor (1-8) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Booker T. Washington 28-14
Coach Ed Young Says – Booker T. Washington 30-6


Churchland (6-3) at Granby (0-8) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Churchland 55-13
Coach Ed Young Says – Churchland 42-0


Lake Taylor (8-1) at J.R. Tucker (2-7) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Lake Taylor 44-11
Coach Ed Young Says – Lake Taylor 38-0


Nansemond River (6-3) at King’s Fork (8-1) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
King’s Fork 34-16
Coach Ed Young Says – King’s Fork 30-21


Indian River (6-3) at Grassfield (1-8) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Indian River 37-9
Coach Ed Young Says – Indian River 33-0


Great Bridge (2-7) at Deep Creek (4-5) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Deep Creek 40-20
Coach Ed Young Says – Deep Creek 36-6


Hickory (2-7) at Lakeland (1-8) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Hickory 26-14
Coach Ed Young Says – Hickory 28-20


Woodside (7-2) at Kecoughtan (6-3) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Woodside 20-6
Coach Ed Young Says – Woodside 24-18


Grafton (5-4) at Poquoson (6-3) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
Poquoson 20-17
Coach Ed Young Says – Poquoson 30-21


New Kent (5-4) at Smithfield (2-7) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
New Kent 34-24
Coach Ed Young Says – New Kent 24-20


Bruton (5-4) at York (6-3) . . .

Matt Hatfield Says –
York 42-21
Coach Ed Young Says – York 33-14
 
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