2) HUGUENOT (5-0, was #2, vs. Manchester): The Falcons keep on rolling, but will get a test from a Manchester team getting back on track after a 33-16 win over Monacan last week. Can the Lancers do what Powhatan did for a half? Slow down the Huguenot offense via time of possession? Can they force a couple of turnovers?
3) GLEN ALLEN (5-0, was #3, at #4 Varina): No doubt that the biggest game on the Week 7 calendar sees these Jaguars hitting 295 to go to Route 5, where it's Homecoming Week. The Blue Devils know there's a matchup with Highland Springs on the horizon November 2nd, so a win here, should they run the table, puts them at 8-1 and in great playoff position in Region 4B. Meanwhile, Glen Allen knows they must rack up quality wins, having already defeated Thomas Dale and Douglas Freeman. A win over Varina would be huge in their race in Region 6A for playoff position.
4) VARINA (3-1, was #4, vs. #3 Glen Allen): See above!
5) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (3-2, was #5, at Henrico Thursday): We're still looking for a complete performance from the Springers like the one they dished out opening night at Manchester. A Henrico team that lost a last-minute heartbreaker to Armstrong Friday night could come in hungry, or deflated.
6) DINWIDDIE (4-1, was #6, at Colonial Heights): After surviving Thomas Dale, the Generals will be favored in every game going forward until their huge November 8th regular season showdown with #1 Matoaca.
7) L.C. BIRD (5-1, was #9, BYE): After a record setting performance in their win over Powhatan Friday, quarterback Jason Wright and the Skyhawks get two full weeks to get ready for the showdown with Huguenot October 18th. Quietly, the Skyhawks are positioning themselves to be a very tough out in the Region 5C playoffs, especially sporting something you rarely see from L.C. Bird: a huge passing attack.
8) THOMAS JEFFERSON (5-0, was #10, at Mills Godwin): The Vikings rolled up 77 points last Friday, and now have allowed just eighteen points defensively in their first five games. Their last regular season loss? November 4, 2022 at Mills Godwin. The Vikings did win on Pump Road 24-14 last season, and the Eagles are struggling. But the bottom line is you get extra VHSL points for defeating a Class 5 team as a Class 3, and that's the assignment for each of the next three weeks (Godwin, Deep Run, J.R. Tucker).
9) THOMAS DALE (3-2, was #8, vs. #1 Matoaca): It's hard to fault the Knights, who gave it all but fell just short to Harry Dalton and the Dinwiddie Generals. Now, they get a chance to make a season-changing statement with the top-ranked and unbeaten Warriors coming in.
10) ARMSTRONG (5-0, was #11, at Greensville County Thursday): They did it! The Wildcats vanquish the hold Henrico had on them, scoring the winning touchdown in the final minute of their 14-8 victory over the Warriors. This week's trip south, on Thursday, should be a case of keeping improving your performance, don't have any injuries, and return north at 6-0, with eight days to prepare for an Atlee team who will be in the midst of a dogfight in the Region 4B playoff race.
11) BENEDICTINE (4-2, was #7, vs. Collegiate Thursday, 4pm): Rivalry Week returns to the Cadets schedule after a 23-16 loss to Gonzaga last week. The Cougars need a big win to solidify VISAA Division I playoff hopes, but the margin for error for Benedictine isn't much bigger. A very important game, for both teams, so the Cadets are happy to be home.
12) LOUISA (3-2, NEW, at Orange): Don't look now, Region 5C, but here comes a transformed Lions team. Their future looked so bright late in 2022 watching freshman sensations Savion Hiter and Dyzier Carter power Louisa to the postseason. Then, both left for Woodberry Forest, where they played in 2023 and looked to spend their junior seasons there. But within the first two weeks of regular season play, first Carter (a verbal commit to Rutgers), then Hiter (who is collecting Power 4 Conference offers), decided to return to the Lions. After an 0-2 start, Louisa has rolled off three straight wins. Now Jayden Seaberry has help offensively, and a lot of it, but will be tested when they head to Orange (4-1) Friday in what still may be called "The Tastee-Freez Bowl", even though the restaurant that stood in Gordonsville near the Louisa/Orange County border, closed five years ago. For those of us who love a Big Tee burger, we are still in mourning.
DROPPING OUT: Powhatan (was #12)
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK:
Petersburg at Hopewell, Thursday, 7pm
Atlee at Patrick Henry, Friday, 7pm
Douglas Freeman at Hermitage, Friday, 7pm
Cosby at Powhatan, Friday, 7pm
Cosby at Powhatan, Friday, 7pm
St. Christopher's at Woodberry Forest, Saturday, 2pm
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