1) MATOACA (6-0, was #1, vs. Hopewell): In a defensive slugfest, the Warriors stayed unbeaten with a huge road win over Thomas Dale. Don't look ahead if you're Matoaca, as the Blue Devils will come in Friday fighting for playoff position in Class 3, Region A after a first half of the season that has not been to the usual Hopewell standard.
2) HUGUENOT (6-0, was #2, at #6 L.C. Bird): On "X" (Twitter), our weekly poll this weekend had Huguenot playing the best football right now out of four undefeated teams. After easily handling Manchester on Friday, they get set to ride to Chester to take on Their former starting quarterback, Jason Wright, and the rested Skyhawks, coming off a bye week, and for Wright, coming off a school-record 355 yards of passing in their last game. While unbeaten, the Falcons find themselves just in fourth place in Class 4, Region B at the time of this writing. That's due to strength of schedule when compared to Dinwiddie, Varina, and a team Huguenot defeated in Eastern View.
3) VARINA (4-1, was #4, at Hanover Thursday): Easily the best performance of the season so far by the Route 5 crew handing Glen Allen their first loss and holding the Jaguars to just three points. Hanover is a pesky bunch, however, and will look to win time of possession to grind this game out. The Hawks have to hold Varina under 21 points. A shootout favors the Blue Devils. Varina is second in Region 4B, .8 behind Dinwiddie.
4) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (4-2, was #5, at Potomac (MD): The Springers got the job done in shutout fashion at Henrico last Thursday, and now prep for one more trip out of town in the regular season, crossing the border into Maryland to face the Wolverines, who will enter the game at 2-4.
5) DINWIDDIE (5-1, was #6, at Petersburg): The Generals will be favored big in their next three contests, beginning with the Crimson Wave Friday. We don't expect a Billy Mills-coached team to overlook anyone, as the Generals want to hold on to the top spot in Region 4B as the showdown with Matoaca looms November 8th on "Playoff Projection Friday". The Generals may need Varina to fall at least once should Dinwiddie run the table, since strength of schedule remaining looks to favor the Blue Devils.
6) L.C. BIRD (5-1, was #7, vs. #2 Huguenot): Don't look now, but the playoff race in Class 5, Region C is getting extremely interesting. Off their bye, the Skyhawks now face the unbeaten Falcons, and, with a win, could make noise near the top of the region standings. Unbeatens Matoaca and William Fleming are battling at the top, surprising Midlothian in third at the time of this writing, and Hermitage will take flight, too, after their comeback win over Douglas Freeman. Jason Wright should seek success, not revenge.
7) GLEN ALLEN (5-1, was #3, at Hermitage): It doesn't get any easier for the Jaguars. Coming off the trip to Varina, now they make their shortest road trip of the season at 3.1 miles to Chester Fritz Stadium to face the Panthers, who, just like L.C. Bird, can use a win this week to really solidify not only playoff position in Region 5C, but a spot in the top four to ensure they are home November 15th. Glen Allen will lose their share of the top spot in Region 6A, but a road win Friday could keep them chasing Oscar Smith.
8) THOMAS JEFFERSON (6-0, was #8, at Deep Run): The Wildcats are improved, and played TJ tough at home two years ago (14-9) before falling big a year ago (53-15), and Deep Run is in the playoff race in 6A. Their defense will be sorely tested by Rashaud Cherry and company, and their offense will have their hands full with a Vikings defense who have already pitched four shutouts.
9) ARMSTRONG (6-0, was #10, vs. Atlee): A game flying under the radar this week is the Wildcats' home date with the Raiders in Capital District play. Atlee is in a dogfight for fifth place in Region 4B, knowing Courtland will be heavily favored against James Monroe and hoping a win here would separate them more from their archrival Hanover, whom they defeated two weeks ago. Armstrong is third in Region 3B behind Thomas Jefferson and Kettle Run, so a win here could help close the gap. Atlee also wants revenge for a 30-26 home loss to Armstrong last year which severely hurt their playoff hopes.
10) BENEDICTINE (5-2, was #11, vs. Life Christian Saturday): The Cadets rolled over Collegiate, look to take care of their opponents from across the river, then it's a trip to Woodberry Forest, who shut out St. Christopher's last week, before the showdown November 2nd with Trinity Episcopal.
11) LOUISA (4-2, was #12, vs. Charlottesville): The Lions may be the most talented 4-2 team in the Commonwealth. They put up 52 points at rival Orange, handing them their second loss of the season. The bad news is they gave up 32 points. For the Lions to solidify a playoff berth, then seek to make a run with Hiter, Seaberry, Carter and company, they need to get more defensive stops. The Jungle will be rocking this Friday night.
12) HERMITAGE (5-2, NEW, vs. #7 Glen Allen): There are two games between ranked teams this week, and it's the Battle of Staples Mill Road between a Panther squad coming off an emotional comeback win over Douglas Freeman and the Jaguars, smarting after their 38-3 loss at Varina. In their four-game winning streak, Hermitage has averaged just over 44 points per game on offense.
DROPPING OUT: Thomas Dale (3-3)
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK:
Powhatan at Midlothian, Friday, 7pm
Thomas Dale at Meadowbrook, Friday, 7pm
King George at Caroline, Friday, 7pm
Northside at William Fleming, Friday, 7pm
St. Christopher's at Trinity Episcopal, Saturday, 1pm
