WEDNESDAY SCOREBOARD

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

Virginia Union 71, UDC 69
Bucknell 73, Richmond 68
William Peace 72, Randolph-Macon 68
#6 Virginia 63, Ohio State 61

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

Iona 59, VCU 57

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL:

BOYS:

Armstrong 79, #3 Hopewell 76
Millwood 62, Life Christian Academy 60
J.R. Tucker 50, Atlee 46
Lee-Davis 57, Maggie Walker GS 42
Mills Godwin 60, Western Albemarle 50 (OT)
New Kent 99, York 74
Dinwiddie 71, Midlothian 65
Glen Allen 54, Patrick Henry 45
Matoaca 59, Highland Springs 54

GIRLS:

Flint Hill 65, #3 Trinity Episcopal 59
#6 Cosby 60, Thomas Dale 42
#8 Midlothian 69, Dinwiddie 52
Lee-Davis 49, Maggie Walker GS 48
Glen Allen 44, Patrick Henry 41
Varina 57, Manchester 36


WRESTLING:

Collegiate 37, Patrick Henry 22
St. Christopher's 72, Patrick Henry 12
St. Christopher's 61, Collegiate 8
J.R. Tucker 45, Hermitage 31
J.R. Tucker 60, Henrico 18


GYMNASTICS:

Lee-Davis 132.625, Hanover 121.7, Glen Allen 97.875

TUESDAY SCOREBOARD

COLLEGE BASKETBALL:
VCU 81, Princeton 70

BOYS BASKETBALL:
#3 Hopewell 68, Spotsylvania 37
#4 Trinity Episcopal 94, Life Christian Academy 77
#5 Varina 63, Matoaca 51
#6 Henrico 85, #7 Hermitage 64
#8 St. Christopher's 65, J.R. Tucker 51 (Rebel Invitational First Round)
Glen Allen 50, James River 49 (OT)
Deep Run 73, Lee-Davis 55
Mills Godwin 52, Patrick Henry 25
Colonial Heights 73, Manchester 56
Huguenot 97, Hanover 72
Prince George 61, Thomas Dale 55
Thomas Jefferson 70, Highland Springs 68
Louisa 73, Caroline 59

GIRLS BASKETBALL:
#4 Huguenot 57, Hanover 41
St. Catherine's 55, #5 L.C. Bird 45
#7 Henrico 77, Hermitage 50
#10 Atlee 68, Douglas Freeman 12
Saint Gertrude 39, Collegiate 36
James River 50 Glen Allen 32
Mills Godwin 49, Patrick Henry 21
Deep Run 59, Lee-Davis 16
Varina 58, Matoaca 56
Louisa 61, Caroline 53

SWIMMING:

Boys: Mills Godwin 203, J.R. Tucker 78;
Douglas Freeman 197, J.R. Tucker 80;
Douglas Freeman 151, Mills Godwin 134;
J.R. Tucker 150, Deep Run 98
Mills Godwin 216, Deep Run 61
Douglas Freeman 214, Deep Run 57

Girls: Mills Godwin 192, J.R. Tucker 93
Douglas Freeman 213, J.R. Tucker 72
Douglas Freeman 182, Mills Godwin 103
Deep Run 164, J.R. Tucker 121
Mills Godwin 161, Deep Run 124
Douglas Freeman 199.5, Deep Run 85.5

Monday Scoreboard

BOYS BASKETBALL:

#2 Monacan 68, Dinwiddie 65
#3 Hopewell 58, Meadowbrook 52
King William 67, Maggie Walker GS 29


GIRLS BASKETBALL:

#9 J.R. Tucker 50, #7 Henrico 36
#10 Atlee 47, Albemarle 40
Hopewell 69, Meadowbrook 34
Manchester 41, Armstrong 40
Maggie Walker GS 52, King William 35

Preseason Top 10 High School Basketball Polls

Let the 2016-17 high school basketball season begin!

RVA Sports Network released our preseason Top 10 polls Sunday exclusively on our latest "Central Region Now!" podcast. Our exclusive live Game Of The Week Basketball broadcast schedule begins Tuesday night when #6 Henrico comes to #7 Hermitage for a Top 10 boys showdown in Conference 11.

Coverage begins just before 7:30 on RVA Sports Network's YouTube Channel by CLICKING HERE!  Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel at the top of the page, and never miss another live RVA Sports Network high school sports broadcast!

The only place where you can hear high school basketball for the fourth straight season is The RVA Sports Network!

BOYS TOP 10:

1) L.C. Bird
2) Monacan
3) Hopewell
4) Trinity Episcopal
5) Varina
6) Henrico
7) Hermitage
8) St. Christopher's
9) Benedictine
10) Cosby

Under Consideration: John Marshall, Prince George, Armstrong, Meadowbrook

GIRLS TOP 10:

1) Monacan
2) Highland Springs
3) Trinity Episcopal
4) Huguenot
5) L.C. Bird
6) Cosby
7) Henrico
8) Midlothian
9) J.R. Tucker
10) Atlee

Under Consideration: Deep Run, Varina, Glen Allen

FOOTBALL: State Semifinal Saturday Set

Four teams in the RVA Sports Network coverage area will play in State Semifinals on Saturday. The schedule is below:

5A State Semifinal: Norview (11-2) at Highland Springs (12-1), 2pm (LIVE Tweet Coverage on @henricosports)

4A State Semifinal: Lafayette (13-0) at Dinwiddie (13-0), 2pm (Twitter: @TheRVASportsNet)

3A State Semifinal: Hopewell (10-3) at Staunton River (12-1), 3pm (Twitter: @TheRVASportsNet)

2A State Semifinal: Goochland (13-0) at Appomattox (13-0), 2pm (Twitter: @TheRVASportsNet)

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Football Region Semifinal Scoreboard

6A SOUTH:

 #2 Colonial Forge 27, #1 Manchester 19

 #1 Oscar Smith 13, #3 Woodside 0

5A SOUTH:

#1 Highland Springs 34, #3 L.C. Bird 20

#3 Norview 37, #1 Hampton 31 

5A South Region Final: #3 Norview (11-2) at #1 Highland Springs (12-1), Saturday 12/3, 1pm

5A NORTH:

#1 Massaponax 42, #4 Potomac Falls 29

#3 Stone Bridge 48, #2 Brooke Point 21

4A EAST:

#1 Dinwiddie 29, #2 Lake Taylor 15

#1 Lafayette 42, #2 Eastern View 21 

4A East Region Final: #1 Lafayette (13-0) at #1 Dinwiddie (13-0), Saturday 12/3, 2pm

3A EAST:

#1 Hopewell 44, #3 Brentsville District 21 

#1 Phoebus 21, #3 Lakeland 0

3A State Semifinals (Next Weekend: Cross-Bracketing After Region Semifinals)

Hopewell (10-3) at Staunton River (12-1)
Blacksburg (8-5) at Phoebus (11-2)

2A EAST:

#2 Goochland 28, #3 Clarke County 14 

#1 Stuarts Draft 44, #4 East Rockingham 31

2A State Semifinals (Next Weekend: Cross-Bracketing After Region Semifinals)

Richlands (12-1) at Stuarts Draft (13-0)
Goochland (13-0) at Appomattox (13-0), Saturday, 2pm

LISTEN LIVE LINK: Patrick Henry at Massaponax

CLICK HERE to listen live to 5A North Region Second Round football, as Patrick Henry travels to Massaponax! We begin at 6:30pm with the On The Sidelines PreGame Show Powered By Sheehy Ford of Ashland with Rob Witham and NBC12 Sports Director Marc Davis.

The game is also on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM, 1430 AM, and on mobile devices on the TuneIn Radio App on "Radiall"!

Football Preview: VHSL Second Round, VISAA State Championship

Here's our look at what should be a fantastic weekend in high school football.

We begin with the VISAA Division I Championship Game on Saturday afternoon, which will take place at Grover Jones Field, as the Benedictine Cadets, the two-time defending Division I champions, battles Collegiate, who last won the championship in 2009 under the leadership of then-quarterback, and future Virginia and Florida tight end Jake McGee.

Home field advantage belongs to the Cougars, but the experience factor lies with Benedictine. In his final start, watch for Ellis Brooks to have a big impact, as the Cadets look to equal now-VHSL member Liberty Christian Academy with three state titles this decade, as LCA won the Division I crowns from 2011 to 2013.

As for VHSL second round action, we begin in 4A East with, in our view, the most interesting game of the night (with all due respect to the seemingly annual Hermitage/LC Bird game). Monacan remembers long and well what happened 53 weeks ago, as a team that was so, so close to the 2014 State Championship game entered the postseason, and saw their run short-lived as the Dinwiddie Generals took a 26-20 first round victory.

Honestly, once the final words are spoken in the locker room, the Chiefs would serve themselves best to leave 2015 behind and focus on the task at hand, which they can accomplish. It could be the homestanding Generals that could be feeling the pressure, now 11-0, with the ability to stay home through the state semifinals, their only trip being one to Williamsburg for the December 10th 4A State Championship at its new home of The College of William and Mary. Look for turnovers to be crucial in this one, which could go either way, as last year's game proved.

If Monacan wins, they will travel to the highest remaining seed in the Conference 17/18 sub-region, as 4A East cross-brackets after this week. If Dinwiddie wins, they'll host the lowest remaining seed. Over on that side of the bracket, Lafayette is #1, Lake Taylor is #2. If there are no upsets, Lake Taylor could come to Dinwiddie Thanksgiving Weekend, but first things first. The other Conference 19/20 second round affair, unbeaten Eastern View and surging Chancellor, is a complete toss-up.

Now to 5A South, and the seemingly annual affair between Hermitage and L.C. Bird, tempered for the Panthers by the loss of quarterback Woody Winborn to a broken leg in their first round home win over Henrico. Suddenly, the Skyhawks are favored, even though they are on the road. This is a difficult place for junior Jay Carney to make his first high school start, but give head coach Patrick Kane and the Panthers credit for the ability to usually have at worst a serviceable, and, at most, a special quarterback waiting in the wings.

Winborn had never started before this year. Eli Odom suddenly found the spotlight due to injury a couple of years ago. Of course, the Skyhawks are salivating at the idea of mentally shaking up a new Hermitage quarterback. But we're looking at Shedrick McCall and the L.C. Bird running game to be the difference, and whether Hermitage's defense can neutralize them, forcing the Skyhawks to depend on the passing game. We won't be shocked if this game ends up 14-7, or 10-7, or even 7-6.

On the other side, Douglas Freeman tries to become the first team since L.C. Bird in 2014 to win a playoff game at Kreiter Stadium against defending champion Highland Springs. The Rebels will have to get a special performance from their defense, especially on the line, as they must get pressure on Carter and company. If they can't, the Rebels secondary may be hard pressed to stay in coverage with the Springers' speed. Highland Springs must, however, neutralize the scramble of quarterback Trey Laughlin, who killed Lee-Davis last week in round one by extending plays. And, as always, Tanner Dobrucky will be a force to be reckoned with for Douglas Freeman, who haven't won two playoff games in the same season this century.

We'll be in 5A North as #8 Patrick Henry goes to #1 Massaponax, who enter this week one of the hottest teams in Virginia regardless of classification. Winners of nine straight, by an average of 27.7 points per game, the Panthers haven't lost since a 50-47 decision at the hands of aforementioned 4A Chancellor Labor Day Weekend. They knocked previously unbeaten Brooke Point out of the region's top spot with a 42-18 win in the regular season finale, and put up 77 points in the first round last Friday.

Patrick Henry, simply, is playing with house money. No one outside of their circle expects the Patriots to win, and that's not a bad place to be. Head Coach Bryan Davis and company can throw the kitchen sink at the Panthers, and, with some good things going their way, they just want to be within striking range in the fourth quarter. Patrick Henry will need some breaks, a Panthers turnover or two, or a key penalty here and there. But they have seen a team like this in Highland Springs, so it won't be any surprises on the field in Spotsylvania. The question will be how much they learned from that trip to Kreiter three Fridays ago.

(NOTE: We go live from Massaponax on 102.9 FM, 1430 AM, WHAN Radio, online HERE, and on the TuneIn radio app on "Radiall" Friday at 6:30pm.)

Then there's 6A South, where Manchester needs a strong performance, and they need, frankly, to enter the fourth quarter with a lead as they battle Riverbend in the second round at home. After awhile, a team runs out of fourth quarter comebacks, and at this point, as we all know, it's one and done for everybody. Riverbend fell to Chancellor, Massaponax, and Thomas Dale's opponent, Colonial Forge, during the regular season.

The Knights have faced Colonial Forge twice in the 6A configuration, losing in the first round to the Eagles three years ago, and in the second round in 2014. The experience factor, however, of the playoff run of a year ago may come into play here, as Thomas Dale can be patient on the road. A good start, and, just like Patrick Henry, being in the game in the fourth quarter mean everything. They don't want to be two possessions down with under twelve minutes remaining. Nobody does.

In 3A East, Hopewell will be prohibitively favored hosting Petersburg, who has won two straight to bookend their season. The Crimson Wave had one of the more impressive victories in the first round, and if their season ends at Merner Field, they can build on those wins going into 2017. The Blue Devils, however, should take nothing for granted. Ask Highland Springs, who pounded Lee-Davis in the 2015 regular season, only to survive 41-34 against them in the second round of their championship run.

In 2A East, Goochland will step up in competition as they look to go to 12-0 at home against a Strasburg team that eliminated King William last week. Kudos in 1A East to Charles City for a road win last week, heading up to Colonial Beach, the #3 seed, while Essex will have their hands full with #2 Riverheads on the road. In 1A, the top four seeds had byes last week, so they are rested and ready.

Stay with us all night Friday on Twitter across our network for the latest score updates, and join us live for our Game of The Week!

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: State Volleyball, Second Round Football

We'll crown volleyball champions across Virginia on Thursday and Saturday at Siegel Center, while the second round of the VHSL Football Playoffs are on Friday. Here's all you need to know!

NOTE: All volleyball matches at the state level carry ticket prices of $10.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL:

4A STATE SEMIFINALS (Tuesday):

Great Bridge 3, Hanover 2
Monacan 3, Heritage 0

4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Thursday):

Monacan 3, Great Bridge 0 

****
5A STATE SEMIFINALS (Tuesday):

Princess Anne 3, Atlee 2
Patrick Henry 3, Maury 2

5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Thursday):

Patrick Henry 3, Princess Anne 0

****
6A STATE SEMIFINALS (Tuesday):

James River 3, Grassfield 1
Cosby 3, First Colonial 0

6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Thursday):

James River 3, Cosby 1

****
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

5A STATE SEMIFINALS (Tuesday):

Briar Woods 3, Deep Run 0
Princess Anne 3, Tuscarora 0

5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Saturday):

Briar Woods vs. Princess Anne, 7pm, Siegel Center at VCU

*****************

VHSL SECOND ROUND FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS:

6A SOUTH REGION:

Conferences 3/4:
#1 Manchester 37, #4 Riverbend 28
#2 Colonial Forge 42, #3 Thomas Dale 21

REGION SEMIFINAL (State Quarterfinal):
#2 Colonial Forge at #1 Manchester, Saturday, 1pm

Conferences 1/2:
#1 Oscar Smith 43, #4 Bayside 21
#3 Woodside 28, #7 Grassfield 9

REGION SEMIFINAL (State Quarterfinal):
#3 Woodside at #1 Oscar Smith, Date/Time TBA

5A SOUTH REGION:

Conferences 11/12: (Winners play each other next week)
#1 Highland Springs 58, #4 Douglas Freeman 21
#3 L.C. Bird 27, #2 Hermitage 24

REGION SEMIFINAL (State Quarterfinal):
#3 L.C. Bird at #1 Highland Springs, Saturday, 1pm

Conferences 9/10: (Winners play each other next week)
#1 Hampton 29, #4 Indian River 28
#3 Norview 41, #2 Salem 13

REGION SEMIFINAL (State Quarterfinal):
#3 Norview at #1 Hampton, Date/Time TBA

5A NORTH REGION:

#1 Massaponax 40, #8 Patrick Henry 10
#2 Brooke Point 41, #10 North Stafford 34 (2 OT)
#3 Stone Bridge, #6 Broad Run 7
#4 Potomac Falls 22, #5 Albemarle 0

4A EAST REGION: (Note: Cross-bracketing after this week, highest 19/20 seed remaining hosts lowest 17/18 seed and vice versa)

Conferences 19/20:
#1 Dinwiddie 58, #5 Monacan 18
#2 Eastern View 28, #3 Chancellor 24

Conferences 17/18:
#1 Lafayette 27, #5 Grafton 21
#2 Lake Taylor 42, #3 Heritage 19

REGION SEMIFINALS (Cross-Bracketed; State Quarterfinal):
#2 Lake Taylor at #1 Dinwiddie, Date/Time TBA
#2 Eastern View at #1 Lafayette, Date/Time TBA

3A EAST REGION:

Conferences 26/28:
#1 Hopewell 14, #5 Petersburg 8
#3 Brentsville District 31, #2 James Monroe 24

REGION SEMIFINAL (State Quarterfinal):
#3 Brentsville District at #1 Hopewell, Saturday, 2pm

Conferences 25/27:
#4 I.C. Norcom (6-4) at #1 Phoebus (9-2), Saturday, 2pm
#3 Lakeland 42, #7 Tabb 28

2A EAST REGION:

#1 Stuarts Draft 59, #8 Madison County 13
#2 Goochland 35, #7 Strasburg 13
#3 Clarke County 38, #6 Buffalo Gap 20
#4 East Rockingham d. #5 Central-Woodstock

REGION SEMIFINAL (State Quarterfinal):
#4 East Rockingham at #1 Stuarts Draft, Date/Time TBA
#3 Clarke County at #2 Goochland, Friday, 7pm

1A EAST REGION:

#1 Sussex Central 48, #9 Luray 14
#2 Riverheads 38, #7 Essex 0
#3 Colonial Beach 40, #11 Charles City 12
#5 Altavista 42, #4 Central-Lunenburg 10

LISTEN LIVE: "The Game": Randolph-Macon at Hampden-Sydney

Randolph-Macon goes for their first ODAC Championship since 2008 when the Yellow Jackets battle Hampden-Sydney in the regular season finale live from Farmville.

Marty Wilson and RVA Sports Network's Rob Witham bring you all the action starting at 12:45pm.

CLICK HERE to listen live, or listen on the TuneIn Radio App on "Radiall"!

FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD

6A SOUTH (Conferences 3/4)
#1 Manchester 21, #8 Cosby 14
#2 Colonial Forge 23, #7 CD Hylton 0
#3 Thomas Dale 33, #6 James River 9
#4 Riverbend 28, #5 Freedom-Prince William 21

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#4 Riverbend at #1 Manchester
#3 Thomas Dale at #2 Colonial Forge

(Conferences 1/2)
#1 Oscar Smith 21, #8 Western Branch 14
#7 Grassfield 26, #2 Frank W. Cox 14
#3 Woodside 31, #6 Landstown 0
#4 Bayside 26, #5 Tallwood 13

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#4 Bayside at #1 Oscar Smith
#7 Grassfield at #3 Woodside

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5A SOUTH (Conferences 11/12)
#1 Highland Springs 55, #8 Deep Run 0
#2 Hermitage 31, #7 Henrico 13
#3 L.C. Bird 49, #6 Varina 9
#4 Douglas Freeman 14, #5 Lee-Davis 7

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#4 Douglas Freeman at #1 Highland Springs
#3 L.C. Bird at #2 Hermitage

(Conferences 9/10)
#1 Hampton 33, #8 Warwick 18
#2 Salem 35, #7 Green Run 0
#3 Norview 55, #6 Nansemond River 32
#4 Indian River 33, #5 Bethel 14

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#4 Indian River at #1 Hampton
#3 Norview at #2 Salem

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5A NORTH (All Conferences)
#1 Massaponax 77, #16 George Marshall 34
#2 Brooke Point 47, #15 Mountain View 21
#3 Stone Bridge 38, #14 Atlee 10
#4 Potomac Falls 28, #13 Orange 7
#5 Albemarle 31, #12 Falls Church 21
#6 Broad Run 42, #11 Tuscarora 21
#10 North Stafford 44, #7 PH-Roanoke 21
#8 Patrick Henry 53, #9 Briar Woods 28

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#8 Patrick Henry at #1 Massaponax (Game Of The Week on WHAN Radio/RVA Sports Network)
#10 North Stafford at #2 Brooke Point
#6 Broad Run at #3 Stone Bridge
#5 Albemarle at #4 Potomac Falls

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4A EAST (Conferences 19/20)
#1 Dinwiddie 40, #8 Courtland 7
#2 Eastern View 42, #7 King George 14
#3 Chancellor 59, #6 Powhatan 13
#5 Monacan 42, #4 Louisa 24

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#5 Monacan at #1 Dinwiddie
#3 Chancellor at #2 Eastern View

(Conferences 17/18)
#1 Lafayette 54, #8 Denbigh 14
#2 Lake Taylor 27, #7 Deep Creek 21
#6 King's Fork at #3 Heritage, Saturday, 2pm
#5 Grafton 30, #4 Smithfield 27

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#5 Grafton at #1 Lafayette
King's Fork/Heritage winner at #2 Lake Taylor

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3A EAST (Conferences 26/28)
#1 Hopewell 63, #8 Culpeper County 20
#2 James Monroe 54, #7 George Wythe 0
#3 Brentsville District 51, #6 Thomas Jefferson 0
#5 Petersburg 55, #4 William Monroe 14

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#5 Petersburg at #1 Hopewell
#3 Brentsville District at #2 James Monroe

(Conferences 25/27)
#8 Warhill at #1 Phoebus, Saturday, 2pm
#7 Tabb 35, #2 Park View-South Hill 16
#3 Lakeland 46, #6 Poquoson 21
#4 I.C. Norcom 30, #5 Southampton 0

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#4 I.C Norcom vs. Warhill/Phoebus winner
#7 Tabb at #3 Lakeland

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2A EAST (All Conferences)
#1 Stuarts Draft 49, #16 Nottoway 16
#2 Goochland 49, #15 Washington & Lee 7
#3 Clarke County 28, #14 R.E. Lee-Staunton 7
#4 East Rockingham 51, #13 Prince Edward 13
#5 Central-Woodstock 45, #12 Bluestone 26
#6 Buffalo Gap 8, #11 Brunswick 6
#7 Strasburg 41, #10 King William 20
#8 Madison County 63, #9 Nandua 26

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#8 Madison County at #1 Stuarts Draft
#7 Strasburg at #2 Goochland
#6 Buffalo Gap at #3 Clarke County
#5 Central-Woodstock at #4 East Rockingham

********
1A EAST (All Conferences)
BYES: #1 Sussex Central, #2 Riverheads, #3 Colonial Beach, #4 Central Lunenburg

#5 Altavista 63, #12 Surry 16
#11 Charles City 30, #6 Franklin 28
#7 Essex 55, #10 William Campbell 20
#9 Luray 27, #8 Northumberland 18

Second Round (Friday 11/18):
#5 Altavista at #4 Central Lunenburg
#11 Charles City at #3 Colonial Beach
#7 Essex at #2 Riverheads
#9 Luray at #1 Sussex Central

LISTEN LIVE LINK: Lee-Davis at Douglas Freeman Football

CLICK HERE to listen live to the 5A South Region First Round matchup between #4 Douglas Freeman and #5 Lee-Davis, tonight at 6:30pm on the RVA Sports Network!

Game is also available on area radio on WHAN, 102.9 FM.

PLAYOFF FOOTBALL FRIDAY/SATURDAY PRIMER

Here's some things to know as we begin the road to State Championship Saturday for VHSL teams, and State Semifinal Weekend for VISAA teams.

6A SOUTH:

#8 Cosby at #1 Manchester, 7pm: Here we go again, again. Last season, after defeating Manchester in their regular season finale, Cosby's gift was another matchup with the Lancers in the #4/#5 first round game, and the Titans pulled off the victory. Manchester would love nothing more than to return the favor with a sweep of their own Friday. The Lancers look pretty healthy and know they will at least play another week at home with a victory. Cosby, however, becomes a different breed in the playoffs in recent years, and there's much emotion on their sideline, too, due to their head coach, Pete Mutascio, going through cancer treatments in-season. Read a great article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch by CLICKING HERE.

#6 James River at #3 Thomas Dale, 7pm: Whereas history is rich in the first game listed, it is not the case in this region first round matchup. The Rapids and Knights haven't met this century, though they're in the same county. James River, in the Dominion, only has room for two non-district games, being Chancellor and Douglas Freeman the past two years, while Thomas Dale has three, but L.C. Bird is a given (they played twice a season for a couple of years early in the decade), and usually has Varina, too. Both teams lost to L.C. Bird in the regular season. The Knights have the edge in playoff experience, while the Rapids made it to the 6A State Quarterfinal two seasons ago before missing the playoffs in 2015.

5A SOUTH:

#8 Deep Run at #1 Highland Springs, 7pm: The road to the state championship runs through Kreiter Stadium again, as the Springers begin defense of their title against upstart Deep Run, making their first playoff appearance in a decade. While the Springers will be prohibitively favored, they were in this exact same position two years ago when #8 Meadowbrook came calling, falling just short in a 34-29 shootout. Highland Springs will take nothing for granted. Meanwhile, win or lose, tonight's game is fantastic experience for the future of Deep Run football, which was about as dead as an existing program could be just 14 months ago. The future is bright in Twin Hickory.

#7 Henrico at #2 Hermitage, 7pm: What will it take for the Warriors to avoid the Panthers in the first round? This is the third straight year Henrico has had to take the trip to Chester Fritz Stadium to battle playoff-tested Hermitage. At some point, the Warriors will pick up their first playoff win. They want to at least play a close game, losing 37-6 in 2014, 40-14 last year, both at Hermitage. For the Panthers, it's take care of business, keeping the offensive rhythm with Woody Winborn and Jordan Hall to get ready, with a victory, to host either Varina or L.C. Bird in the second round. Henrico seeks its first playoff win since a 12-2 campaign in 1999. Hermitage looks to win its playoff opener for the fourth straight season.

#6 Varina at #3 L.C. Bird, 7pm: Varina is not "back" yet, that is, in relation to expectations for Varina football, but there are back in the postseason after a two-year absence. The "initial twins" of C.J. Jones and R.J. Coles need to find ways to move the football, and do it while taking time off the clock. The way to keep L.C. Bird off the scoreboard is to keep McCall and company on the sidelines. The Blue Devils will know exactly where they stand in their rebuilding after this game. For L.C. Bird, it could be their only home playoff game, so Skyhawk Nation needs to represent.

GAME OF THE WEEK: #5 Lee-Davis at #4 Douglas Freeman, 7pm (6:30pm airtime on WHAN Radio, 102.9 FM/1430 AM, online by CLICKING HERE, on TuneIn Radio App on "Radiall"):

Another rematch! Last year, Douglas Freeman started 9-0, lost to Hermitage to end the regular season, hosted Lee-Davis, and lost in the first round 41-14. The Rebels want no part of "take two". It's up to the front seven defensively to stop Nate Evans and the Lee-Davis rushing attack and force the Confederates to count directly on sophomore quarterback Zach Lass, who has had good games, and some shaky performances. Evans has also become more of a receiving threat, with the game-winning touchdown against Henrico two weeks ago and a huge catch on the first half touchdown drive in their Tomato Bowl win last Friday at Patrick Henry. Conversely, Lee-Davis needs to know who Tanner Dobrucky is. If they didn't, Atlee can fill them in. The winner, most likely, heads to Highland Springs in the second round unless there's an upset.

5A NORTH:

#14 Atlee at #3 Stone Bridge, 7pm: Stone Bridge is the defending 5A North Region champions, the final team to fall to Highland Springs last season. Stone Bridge is 8-2, with their two losses by a combined seven points. The Raiders made their fifth postseason in the past six years thanks to a win over Armstrong last week. Atlee should open the playbook and leave every option open, try to be opportunistic, especially on defense. They'll need a couple of turnovers by Stone Bridge and the ability to string together time-consuming drives. They must run, must run. It's completely critical in order to pull the upset.

#9 Briar Woods at #8 Patrick Henry, 7pm: It's the first home playoff game for Patrick Henry in 15 years, after a period of 15 years prior which saw the Patriots host playoff games on a fairly regular basis. Despite the Tomato Bowl loss last week, losses by North Stafford and Briar Woods made tonight's matchup, and location, possible. The Patriots, too, must run the football to have a chance to post the victory. For some comparison, Stone Bridge (above) beat Briar Woods 41-20 last week. Briar Woods began 1-4, but won four of their last six games. Their most impressive win was opening night back in August over Tuscarora. The winner will go to #1 Massaponax, provided they win their first round game.

4A EAST:

#8 Courtland at #1 Dinwiddie, 7pm: The Generals went 10-0 three years ago, then rolled off five straight for the 4A State Championship. They'd like history to repeat itself, but there's a ton of work to do to make that a reality. They certainly have the weapons: Witt, Sturdivant, Pope, Freeland, Tyson, and much more. Courtland has their work cut out for them.

#6 Powhatan at #3 Chancellor, 7pm: This has the makings of a classic. Powhatan can hang with Chancellor, who lost to James River in the regular season. But Powhatan needs a strong defensive performance more than anything. On the road against an unfamiliar opponent in unfamiliar territory, you need to set the tone. Long drives, big defensive stops, and hold on to the football. Coach Woodson will have his Indians ready.

#5 Monacan at #4 Louisa, 7:30pm: This is the most intriguing matchup of the first round. Louisa comes off a 54-42 shootout loss to Charlottesville, but get to come home to easily one of the best home-field advantages in the Commonwealth, not just the Metro Richmond area. But Monacan's advantage is a bye week last week, so, two weeks since their last game to heal the nicks and bruises and get guys fully ready for what they hope will be a long postseason run. The survivor here gets, possibly, a trip to Dinwiddie next week. For Monacan, it would be a chance at sweet revenge after losing to the Generals in the first round last season.

OTHER GAMES:

3A EAST:

#8 Culpeper County at #1 Hopewell, 7pm
#7 George Wythe at #2 James Monroe, 7pm
#6 Thomas Jefferson at #3 Brentsville District, 7pm
#5 Petersburg at #4 William Monroe, 7pm

2A EAST:
#15 Washington and Lee at #2 Goochland, 7pm
#10 King William at #7 Strasburg, 7pm

1A EAST:
#11 Charles City at #6 Franklin, 7pm
#10 William Campbell at #7 Essex, 7pm

*****
VISAA STATE SEMIFINALS:

Division I:
#4 Norfolk Academy at #1 Collegiate, Saturday, 1pm
#3 Benedictine at #2 Flint Hill, 1pm

Division III:
#4 Richmond Christian at #1 Quantico, 6pm

HONORS: All-Conference 20 Boys, Girls Volleyball Teams Announced

Congratulations to the following student-athletes for being named to the All-Conference 20 Boys and Girls Volleyball Teams. All-Academic honorees denoted with "*":

BOYS:

FIRST TEAM:

Lance Johnson, Monacan*
Drew Buckley, Monacan*
Steven Hawks, Monacan
Tyler Gregory, Midlothian*
Ethan Smith, Midlothian (Libero)
Brennan Richie, Midlothian
Adam Wajciechowski, Midlothian*
Turner Cole, Hanover*
Andrew Moore, Hanover*

SECOND TEAM:

Austin Gorman, Monacan*
Justin Brown, Midlothian
Matt Hahn, Midlothian
Jake Will, Monacan*
Brendan English, Hanover*
Connor Bartal, Hanover*
Sammy Varela, Midlothian*
Ian Baker, Monacan (Libero)*

HONORABLE MENTION:

Brennan Bayer, Hanover

GIRLS:

FIRST TEAM:

Erin Edwards, Monacan*
Lauryn Basl, Midlothian
Taylor Ampy, Midlothian*
Kylie Tuxford, Hanover
Kellie Nee, Powhatan*
Abby Nee, Powhatan*
Emma Eggleton, Powhatan*
Megan Kratzer, Hanover*
Sage Fehan, Powhatan (Libero)*

SECOND TEAM:

Lyndsey Smith, Monacan*
Emma Stith, Monacan*
Charlotte Ritchie, Monacan*
Abbi Leeper, Midlothian*
Brooke Bailey, Midlothian*
Baylea Botello, Midlothian*
Enjhalika Esmena, Midlothian*
Lauren Hughes, Hanover*

HONORABLE MENTION:

Samantha Ayres, Huguenot
Jazmine Hamlin, Huguenot

HONORS: All-Conference 20 Football Team, Links To Conferences 11, 12

CLICK HERE to see the All-Conference 11 Football Team.
CLICK HERE to see the All-Conference 12 Football Team.

Conferences 3 and 16 have yet to be released. We'll post them as we receive them.

Congratulations to the following student-athletes for being named to the All-Conference 20 Football Team:

FIRST TEAM:

OFFENSE:
C: Trevon Wilkerson, Dinwiddie
C: Will Schwartz, Powhatan
OL: Miles Scott, Dinwiddie
OL: Channing Ward, Powhatan
OL: Xavier Brown, Monacan
OL: DaVron Davis, Dinwiddie
TE: K'Vaughan Pope, Dinwiddie
WR: Tye Freeland, Dinwiddie
WR: Austin Snellings, Monacan
WR: Jonathan Arnold, Powhatan
RB: Zyan Sturdivant, Dinwiddie
RB: Justin DeLeon, Powhatan
RB: Korey Bridy, Monacan
QB: Syour Fludd, Monacan
K: Todd Anspach, Dinwiddie
KR: Joey Doherty, Midlothian
UTILITY: Clayton Cheatham, Hanover

DEFENSE:
DE: Timothy Fields, Dinwiddie
DE: Marteise Phipps, Monacan
DL: Omar Tyson, Dinwiddie
DL: Lamont Henderson, Powhatan
DL: T.J. Jones, Monacan
DL: Xavier Bryson, Hanover
LB: K'Vaughan Pope, Dinwiddie
LB: Elijah Johnson, Huguenot
LB: De'Andre Williams, Monacan
LB: Jeremy Arnold, Powhatan
DB: Tye Freeland, Dinwiddie
DB: Juanye Pitt, Dinwiddie
DB: Jermani Brown, Midlothian
DB: Austin Snellings, Monacan
P: Ivan Jackson, Midlothian
PR: Tye Freeland, Dinwiddie
UTILITY: Joseph Tyree, Dinwiddie

CONFERENCE 20 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tye Freeland, Dinwiddie
CONFERENCE 20 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: K'Vaughan Pope, Dinwiddie
CONFERENCE 20 COACH OF THE YEAR: Billy Mills, Dinwiddie

SECOND TEAM:

OFFENSE:
OL: Brennan Thompson, Huguenot
OL: Colin Campbell, Monacan
OL: Kameron Lawrence, Hanover
OL: Justin Stoner, Powhatan
TE: De'Andre Williams, Monacan
WR: Joey Doherty, Midlothian
WR: Derrick Jones, Dinwiddie
WR: Dallas Brown, Monacan
RB: Ben Mahone, Hanover
RB: Khalil Johnson, Huguenot
QB: Bryce Witt, Dinwiddie
K: John Dustin, Hanover
KR: Tye Freeland, Dinwiddie
UTILITY: De'Andre Williams, Monacan

DEFENSE:
DE: Will Schwartz, Powhatan
DE: DaVon Clayton, Dinwiddie
DL: Maurice Garner, Huguenot
DL: William Lewis, Huguenot
LB: Brayden Staib, Midlothian
LB: Stone Snyder, Monacan
LB: Ty Hicks, Powhatan
LB: Jordan Hudson, Dinwiddie
DB: Jonathan Arnold, Powhatan
DB: Langston McCatty, Monacan
DB: Izayah Reeves, Monacan
DB: Jasiah Williams, Dinwiddie
P: Michael Roland, Huguenot
UTILITY: Tanner Addams, Monacan

HONORABLE MENTION:

OFFENSE:
OL: Lance McLaughlin, Midlothian
OL: Blair Page, Huguenot
TE: Makale Woods, Huguenot
WR: Kenneth Cannon, Huguenot
WR: Kirk Shaffner, Hanover
WR: Casey Joyce, Midlothian
WR: Jakob Schneider, Hanover
QB: Meryles Manuel, Huguenot
QB: Jacoby Oglesby, Powhatan
KR: Eric McLemore, Jr., Hanover
UTILITY: Ross Lewis, Powhatan
UTLIITY: Jasiah Williams, Dinwiddie

DEFENSE:
DE: Nahiem Crawford, Monacan
LB: Noah Cabbins, Huguenot
LB: Jonathan Glore, Hanover
P: Bryce Witt, Dinwiddie

VHSL FOOTBALL FIRST ROUND PAIRINGS

These are official! Let's get ready for the road to State Championship Saturday on December 10th with these first round matchups:

(NOTE: Start times will be posted as soon as they are available and they will not necessarily be the usual times you are used to in the regular season!)

6A SOUTH (Region Champion At State Semifinal) (Conferences 3/4)
#8 Cosby at #1 Manchester, 7pm
#7 CD Hylton at #2 Colonial Forge, 7pm
#6 James River at #3 Thomas Dale, 7pm
#5 Freedom-Prince William at #4 Riverbend, 7pm

(Conferences 1/2)
#8 Western Branch at #1 Oscar Smith, 7pm
#7 Grassfield at #2 Frank W. Cox, 7pm
#6 Landstown at #3 Woodside, 7pm
#5 Tallwood at #4 Bayside, 7pm

5A SOUTH (Region Champion At State Semifinal) (Conferences 11/12)
#8 Deep Run at #1 Highland Springs, 7pm
#7 Henrico at #2 Hermitage, 7pm
#6 Varina at #3 L.C. Bird, 7pm
#5 Lee-Davis at #4 Douglas Freeman, 7pm

(Conferences 9/10)
#8 Warwick at #1 Hampton, 7pm
#7 Green Run at #2 Salem, 7pm
#6 Nansemond River at #3 Norview, 7pm
#5 Bethel at #4 Indian River, 7pm

5A NORTH (Straight Bracket, No Cross Bracketing) (All Conferences)
#16 George Marshall at #1 Massaponax, 7pm
#15 Mountain View at #2 Brooke Point, 7pm
#14 Atlee at #3 Stone Bridge, 7pm
#13 Orange at #4 Potomac Falls, 7pm
#12 Falls Church at #5 Broad Run, 7pm
#11 Tuscarora at #6 Albemarle, 7pm
#10 North Stafford at #7 PH-Roanoke, 7pm
#9 Briar Woods at #8 Patrick Henry, 7pm


4A EAST (Region Champion At State Semifinal) (Conferences 19/20)
#8 Courtland at #1 Dinwiddie, 7pm
#7 King George at #2 Eastern View, 7pm
#6 Powhatan at #3 Chancellor, 7pm
#5 Monacan at #4 Louisa, 7:30pm

(Conferences 17/18)
#8 Denbigh at #1 Lafayette, 7pm
#7 Deep Creek at #2 Lake Taylor, 7:30pm
#6 King's Fork at #3 Heritage, Saturday, 2pm
#5 Grafton at #4 Smithfield, 7pm

3A EAST (Cross Bracket After Region Semifinals) (Conferences 26/28)
#8 Culpeper at #1 Hopewell, 7pm
#7 George Wythe at #2 James Monroe, 7pm
#6 Thomas Jefferson at #3 Brentsville District, 7pm
#5 Petersburg at #4 William Monroe, 7pm

(Conferences 25/27)
#8 Warhill at #1 Phoebus, Saturday, 2pm
#7 Tabb at #2 Park View-South Hill, 7pm
#6 Poquoson at #3 Lakeland, 7pm
#5 Southampton at #4 I.C. Norcom


2A EAST (All Conferences)
#16 Nottoway at #1 Stuarts Draft, 7pm
#15 Washington & Lee at #2 Goochland, 7pm
#14 R.E. Lee-Staunton at #3 Clarke County, 7pm
#13 Prince Edward at #4 East Rockingham, 7pm
#12 Bluestone at #5 Central-Woodstock, 7pm
#11 Brunswick at #6 Buffalo Gap, 7pm
#10 King William at #7 Strasburg, 7pm
#9 Nandua at #8 Madison County, 7pm

1A EAST (All Conferences)
BYES: #1 Sussex Central, #2 Riverheads, #3 Colonial Beach, #4 Central Lunenburg

#12 Surry at #5 Altavista, 7pm
#11 Charles City at #6 Franklin, 7pm
#10 William Campbell at #7 Essex, 7pm
#9 Luray at #8 Northumberland, 7pm

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Region Volleyball, State Field Hockey

BOYS VOLLEYBALL:

6A STATE TOURNAMENT: (No "Region" Tournament)

FIRST ROUND (Wednesday)
James River 3, Frank W. Cox 0
Cosby 3, Western Branch 1

STATE SEMIFINALS (Tuesday 11/15)
Grassfield at James River, 6pm
Cosby at First Colonial, time TBA

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Thursday 11/17)
Semifinal Winners, 5pm, Siegel Center

5A "EASTERN SECTION" TOURNAMENT:

QUARTERFINALS (Monday)
Patrick Henry 3, Deep Run 1
Atlee 3, Douglas Freeman 1
Princess Anne 3, Menchville 0
Maury 3, Gloucester 2

SEMIFINALS (Tuesday)
Patrick Henry 3, Atlee 1
Princess Anne 3, Maury 0

SECTION FINAL (Thursday)
Princess Anne 3, Patrick Henry 2

5A STATE SEMIFINALS (Tuesday November 15th):
Maury at Patrick Henry, time TBA
Atlee at Princess Anne, time TBA

4A "WESTERN SECTION" TOURNAMENT:

SEMIFINALS (Tuesday)
Hanover 3, Colonial Heights 2
Monacan 3, Armstrong 0

SECTION FINAL (Thursday)
Monacan 3, Hanover 0

4A STATE SEMIFINALS (Tuesday November 15th):
Hanover at Great Bridge, 6:30pm
Heritage at Monacan, 6pm

*****
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

6A SOUTH REGION:

QUARTERFINALS (Monday)
Kellam 3, Western Branch 0
Forest Park 3, Franklin County 0
Cosby 3, Riverbend 1
Ocean Lakes 3, Grassfield 0

SEMIFINALS (Wednesday)
Ocean Lakes 3, Cosby 0

5A SOUTH REGION:

QUARTERFINALS (Monday)
Deep Run 3, Prince George 0
Douglas Freeman 3, Matoaca 0
Princess Anne 3, Menchville 0
Salem 3, Warwick 0

SEMIFINALS (Tuesday)
Deep Run 3, Douglas Freeman 0
Princess Anne 3, Salem 0

CHAMPIONSHIP (Thursday)
Princess Anne 3, Deep Run 0 (Deep Run to play in 5A State Semifinal at 5A North Region champion on Tuesday at 7pm, opponent will be determined Saturday)

4A EAST REGION (To Be Reported):

QUARTERFINALS (Monday)
Grafton 3, Deep Creek 0
Courtland 3, Powhatan 1
Midlothian 3, King George 0
Jamestown 3, Great Bridge 0

SEMIFINALS (Wednesday):
Jamestown 3, Midlothian 0
Courtland 3, Grafton 0

CHAMPIONSHIP (Thursday):
Jamestown 3, Courtland 0

3A EAST REGION:

QUARTERFINAL (Monday):
Riverside 3, Armstrong 0

2A EAST REGION:

QUARTERFINALS (Tuesday):
Bruton 3, Amelia 0
R.E. Lee-Staunton 3, George Mason 2
Goochland 3, Maggie Walker GS 0 
Buffalo Gap 3, Clarke County 0

SEMIFINALS (Thursday):
Buffalo Gap 3, Goochland 1


VISAA STATE TOURNAMENT:

DIVISION I QUARTERFINALS (Tuesday)
#1 Flint Hill 3, #8 Paul VI 0
#2 Bishop O'Connell 3, #7 St. Anne's-Belfield 0
#3 Bishop Ireton 3, #6 St. Catherine's 1
#4 Norfolk Academy 3, #5 Collegiate 1

********
FIELD HOCKEY:

5A STATE TOURNAMENT (Regional Training Center, Virginia Beach)

SEMIFINALS:
Mountain View 1, Prince George 0

OUR PLAYOFF PROJECTIONS

Before we begin, two VERY important notes!

1) We have run the numbers in 6A, 5A and 4A. Explanations of rankings on our "Central Region Now!" Podcast, which you can stream at the top of the page.

2) ALL projections are UNOFFICIAL until the VHSL office releases official rankings and pairings Sunday before 12pm. As soon as they do, we'll have them here and across our Twitter network!


6A SOUTH:

#8 Cosby at #1 Manchester
#7 CD Hylton at #2 Colonial Forge/Thomas Dale
#6 James River at #3 Colonial Forge/Thomas Dale
#5 Freedom-Prince William at #4 Riverbend

NOTE: Manchester clinched #1 seed with thrilling come-from-behind win over Cosby, who they end up facing in the first round, for the second straight year (was #4/#5 game in 2015). Thomas Dale ties Colonial Forge for #2 seed, Forge upset by Freedom. James River awaits the tiebreaker announcement to see who they'll go to next Friday.

5A SOUTH:

#8 Deep Run at #1 Highland Springs
#7 Henrico at #2 Hermitage
#6 Varina at #3 L.C. Bird
#5 Lee-Davis at #4 Douglas Freeman

NOTE: Highland Springs clinches home-field with their 45-26 win over Varina, who still stay at #6 and go to Chester next week as Bird and Hermitage end tied for #2 at 325 points. The common opponent tiebreaker goes to Hermitage, as they beat Manchester, while Manchester beat L.C. Bird. For the second straight year, Douglas Freeman goes 9-0, loses to Hermitage, but earns a home date with Lee-Davis in Round 1. The Confederates won last year. Henrico must again start the postseason at Chester Fritz Stadium. After an 0-2 start, Deep Run finishes 6-2 in the last eight games for their first winning season since 2012 and first playoff bid in a decade.

5A NORTH:

#9 Briar Woods at #8 Patrick Henry
#14 Atlee at #3 Stone Bridge

NOTE: In spite of falling 14-7 to Lee-Davis in Tomato Bowl 58 Friday, Patrick Henry sees North Stafford and Briar Woods also lose and outpoint them for the #8 seed, earning the Patriots, in our projections, their first home playoff game in 15 years. Atlee earns a postseason bid with their win over Armstrong, but fall from #13 to #14 as Falls Church overtakes them, sending the Raiders to a first round date with the defending 5A North Region champions.

4A EAST:

#8 Courtland at #1 Dinwiddie
#7 King George at #2 Eastern View
#6 Powhatan at #3 Chancellor
#5 Monacan at #4 Louisa

NOTE: Dinwiddie completes their second 10-0 season in the last four years beating Meadowbrook, eliminating the Monarchs from 5A South contention. The last 10-0 team? 2013, when they ran the table and won the 4A State Championship. Despite losing in a shootout to Charlottesville, Louisa holds the #4 seed and get to host Monacan, who had a bye this week. Powhatan must hit the road to a Chancellor team playing very good football right now. Eastern View also finished 10-0, but six points behind Dinwiddie, 316-310.

3A EAST:

We project Hopewell as the top seed in the sub-region of Conferences 26 and 28, and both Thomas Jefferson and Petersburg as in the playoffs. George Wythe plays Huguenot Saturday but still could make the top eight win or lose.

2A EAST:

With Stuarts Draft's overtime win Friday, Goochland, who was idle, likely begins as the #2 seed in this 16-team, all conferences in bracket. King William may earn the #8 seed, and with it, a first round home game.

FOOTBALL: Listen Live Link to Game Of The Week, Schedule

CLICK HERE to listen to The 58th Tomato Bowl, #10 Lee-Davis (7-2) at #12 Patrick Henry (7-2), 6:30pm from WHAN Radio and the RVA Sports Network!

The Tomato Bowl is also available on radio at 102.9 FM, 1430 AM, and on the TuneIn Radio App across all mobile devices on "Radiall"!

WEEK 11 SCHEDULE: (Scroll down our site for all possible playoff implications!)

#1 Dinwiddie at Meadowbrook, 7pm
#2 Hermitage at #6 Douglas Freeman, 7pm (Live Tweet Coverage @henricosports)
#3 L.C. Bird at James River, 7:30pm
#4 Highland Springs at Varina, 7pm
Cosby at #5 Manchester, 7:30pm
Matoaca at #7 Thomas Dale, 7pm
Mills Godwin at John Marshall, 4pm
Armstrong at Atlee, 7pm
Hanover at Henrico, 7pm
Glen Allen at J.R. Tucker, 7pm
Thomas Jefferson at Deep Run, 7pm
Colonial Heights at Petersburg, 7pm
Bluestone at Amelia, 7pm
King & Queen Central at King William, 7pm
Rappahannock at Essex, 7pm
Charles City at West Point, 7pm
Louisa at Charlottesville, 7pm
Caroline at Courtland, 7pm
Midlothian at Clover Hill, 7:30pm
Prince George at Hopewell, 7:30pm
Powhatan at Monticello, 7:30pm

FOOTBALL: Week 11 Playoff Analysis

At this hour, 17 Virginia High School League teams in our area can reserve next Friday on their calendars, because they'll have football to play. Here's the latest on who's in, who's out and who has work to do heading into Week 11.

6A SOUTH:

IN: Manchester, Thomas Dale, James River, Cosby
WORK TO DO: CD Hylton, Forest Park

This sub-region of eight teams from Conferences 3 and 4 breaks down easily. Manchester is fighting with Colonial Forge for the #1 seed. Thomas Dale, who does have a "Hail Mary" chance at #1, and a fighting chance at #2 should Manchester or Colonial Forge fall Friday, needs to win over Matoaca to ensure at least the #3 seed. A loss puts Riverbend #3 and the Knights at #4. James River, though two points out of fifth, will have a tough time moving out of sixth, not because of having to face L.C. Bird, but because the team in front of them, Freedom-Prince William, must face the aforementioned Colonial Forge squad that wants #1 back. Cosby is in the postseason, either at #7 or #8, because the loser of the game between #7 CD Hylton and #9 Forest Park cannot earn enough extra rider points to overcome Cosby, even if they lose to Manchester. Eighty percent of Chesterfield schools in Class 6A get to the playoffs, a pretty good mark. Now, when all shakes out, do any have to play each other in the first round??

5A NORTH:

IN: Patrick Henry
WORK TO DO: Atlee

While, mathematically, Patrick Henry could ascend to a #5 or #6 seed with a Tomato Bowl win Friday on our Game of The Week, it is incredibly unlikely. So, our focus is on more attainable goals, notably, leaving their current #9 seed and moving up to #8 or even #7. The bad news is #7 Patrick Henry of Roanoke, who begin the night 12 points ahead of our local Patriots, is favored against Carroll County. The good news is, Patrick Henry, with a win over Lee-Davis, immediately earns 38 points. PH-Roanoke, with a win, 26. The 12 points are erased. Then it comes down to how many extra points the teams earn from other games involving teams on their schedule. So, PH fans need to root for Carroll County, and, if that doesn't work, Brookville needs to beat Jefferson Forest, Western Albemarle needs to beat Albemarle, Northside needs a win over William Fleming, while locally, Glen Allen needs to beat J.R. Tucker and Mills Godwin needs to handle John Marshall.

BUT, in between, at #8, is North Stafford, four points ahead of Patrick Henry at 247. They face Mountain View, who MUST win to have any hopes of sneaking into the bottom of the sixteen-team tournament bracket. North Stafford only earns 30 points for a win, meaning Patrick Henry, with a win, will clinch the #8 seed regardless of other results, thanks to the automatic five bonus points they'll get from winners between Atlee/Armstrong and Hanover/Henrico, and one point from Varina/Highland Springs. Remember, you get two bonus points for each win a team you defeat earns, and one point for each "non-defeated opponent" who wins. If Patrick Henry and North Stafford both lose, it will come down to other games, as they'll be tied at 268 points. Then the Patriots need Patriot High to beat Battlefield, and Freedom to upset Colonial Forge, or need two of these three teams to win: Caroline, Glen Allen, or Mills Godwin.

Now, for Atlee, in 13th place. If they beat Armstrong, they are in the playoffs. No one outside the top sixteen could catch them, even with a win, when they hit 253 points. They're at 225 now, 24 points come from beating Armstrong, two points from the Hanover/Henrico winner, one point from the Tomato Bowl, then one point if Highland Springs beats Varina. It's 254 if Varina wins. Falls Church, in 14th, can overtake Atlee, but with a win by the Raiders, no one else can. If Fluvanna knocks off Orange, Atlee could move to 12th, but that is as high as they can go. So, the Raiders are in with a win, settling at #12, #13, or #14, meaning a trip to either the #3, #4, or #5 seed in the first round.

5A SOUTH:

IN: Highland Springs, L.C. Bird, Hermitage, Douglas Freeman, Lee-Davis
WORK TO DO: Varina, Matoaca, Henrico
HAVE A CHANCE: Meadowbrook, Deep Run
HAIL MARY: Mills Godwin

First, Highland Springs is one rider point away, if they beat Varina, from the #1 seed in this eight-team sub-region of Conferences 11 and 12. With a win, and guaranteed six points from the winners of the other three Capital District games, the Springers would go to 328 points. That is the maximum number of points that either L.C. Bird, or the winner of Hermitage/Douglas Freeman could achieve. So, if Hermitage win, they clinch. If Norview beats Liberty Christian, now recognized by the VHSL, they clinch. BUT, first they must defeat Varina on the road. It's a huge rivalry game. We know anything can happen, and the Springers remember the crazy circumstances that unfolded in their lone loss so far, an 8-7 defeat to Meadowbrook, who play for their lives tonight.

The Panthers/Rebels winner gains ground on the Skyhawks, who need to defeat James River. To max out at 328 points, L.C. Bird needs Cosby to beat Manchester and Meadowbrook to upset Dinwiddie, plus Thomas Dale beating Matoaca. Douglas Freeman needs James River to win, Midlothian to best Clover Hill and Atlee to beat Armstrong. Hermitage needs Varina, Meadowbrook, Manchester and Deep Run to be victorious.

We know the top four will remain, in some order, the top four. No one underneath them can catch them. Lee-Davis is in the driver's seat in the bottom half, but to clinch the #5 seed, they must beat Patrick Henry. If they lose, they need Varina and Matoaca to lose, and preferably Meadowbrook as well. If Varina loses, they need a Patrick Henry and Thomas Dale win to secure a bid. Matoaca has a huge rivalry game against Thomas Dale, who has clinched a bid in 6A South, big points, and a clinched playoff berth, with a win, but a loss means a fight with Henrico, Deep Run and possibly Meadowbrook for the final two spots. Mills Godwin needs a myriad of things to go right, with Matoaca, Henrico, Meadowbrook and Deep Run all losing. Deep Run fans need to root for Essex to beat Rappahannock, while Henrico fans need a Varina upset win and for J.R. Tucker to best Glen Allen. This sub-region will be the one that gives us the most angst running the numbers Friday night on our "Central Region Now!" live podcast.

4A EAST:

IN: Dinwiddie, Louisa, Monacan, Powhatan

We know the eight seeds in this sub-region of Conferences 19 and 20. It's simple: if the Generals beat Meadowbrook, they clinch the #1 seed, as they'll get 32 points for the win and six guaranteed bonus points from the results of other Central District games. That would give Dinwiddie 314 points. The best Eastern View, the #2 seed, also 9-0, can do is 312 points. Three-seed Chancellor can't catch the Generals either, but can ascend to the #2 spot if Eastern View slips against Kettle Run, but they are favored. Louisa pins hopes that Chancellor slips with Spotsylvania, which is highly unlikely, so are playing pretty much expecting to be the #4 seed.

Monacan, whose regular season is done, and cannot go higher than fifth. A date in Louisa next Friday is looking highly possible. Powhatan can mathematically take over fifth by a single point, but everything they need must happen, including Midlothian must beat Clover Hill, Hopewell must beat Prince George, George Wythe must best Huguenot Saturday, Charlottesville has to beat Louisa, Western Albemarle must beat rival Albemarle. You get the idea. Conversely, they need Courtland to beat Caroline (probable) and J.R. Tucker to beat Glen Allen (possible). King George seems settled in seventh, though has an outside shot at sixth with a Powhatan loss to Monticello, while Courtland looks to be the team destined to face a 10-0 team in Round One.

3A EAST:

IN: Hopewell, Thomas Jefferson
WORK TO DO: Petersburg, George Wythe

The Blue Devils look to clinch the top seed in their eight-team sub-region (Conferences 26 and 28) with a win over rival Prince George. They earn 32 points with a win, while Brentsville District, the current #2 seed, earns just 26 defeating Culpeper. Beating a 5A school should be enough with a win for Hopewell to stay at Merner Field for awhile. Thomas Jefferson could finish with a winning record for the first time in forever, but must beat their former's coach new team, Deep Run, on the road, to do it. They're in either way, and, if Strasburg knocks off William Monroe, the Vikings have a shot to flip with them, get the #4 seed and host next weekend in the first round. Petersburg is in for sure with a victory over 0-9 Colonial Heights, but the Crimson Wave desperately need a win for momentum's sake, starting 2-0, and losers of seven straight. George Wythe, at #7, begins with 163 points, Culpeper at #8 is at 157, while Skyline, on the outside right now at #9 is at 147. The Bulldogs earn just 13 points with a loss, while a Skyline win over Warren County nets them 26. If Warren wins Friday, the Bulldogs enter Saturday's game knowing they are in the postseason, it's just a matter of seeding.

2A EAST:

IN: Goochland, King William
WORK TO DO: Amelia

Goochland is done, with only nine games counting towards the postseason numbers, and must watch social media to see what happens with Stuarts Draft as they face fellow 9-0 Riverheads, who themselves are fighting with Sussex Central for the top seed over in 1A East. Even with a loss, don't be surprised if Stuarts Draft passes the Bulldogs simply due to earning so many points playing an unbeaten team, but they should be no lower than #2, so at least two weeks at home for the Bulldogs. King William wants one week at home, and need a win over rival King & Queen Central and, since their opponent is 0-9, help. The Cavs are #9 now, and need #8 Madison County to fall to current #3 seed Clarke County Friday night to try to slide up a notch and host what is likely to be a first round contest between the two teams, King William and Madison County. The road trip to one, or the other, is 93.8 miles via Route 30, etc. You'd like to be home. Amelia is less than a half-point out of the Top 16, and need to first beat fellow 4-5 Bluestone, who begin the night tied for 14th, but only one point, by average, ahead of Amelia, 16.667 to 15.667. Between them are Nottoway, who face 2-7 Randolph-Henry, and Page County, who plays 2-7 Wilson Memorial. Unless there's an upset in one or both of those games, it seems like it's "win and you're in" for Amelia, with Bluestone being odd man out if that happens.