1) VARINA (2-0-1, was #1, vs. #7 Hermitage Friday): What a disappointing finish at Oscar Smith Friday, a 7-7 tie after all the weather mishaps. With 15-0 not possible, the Blue Devils take another step towards what they hope will be 14-0-1.
2) HUGUENOT (2-0, was #2, at Cosby Friday): Speaking of next steps. The Falcons handle Clover Hill 68-0 and will be heavily favored to stay unbeaten against the Titans.
3) THOMAS DALE (2-0, was #3, at Glen Allen Friday): The rubber game of this series which began two years ago. The Knights laid an egg in their first trip to Staples Mill Road, falling 28-3, but handled the Jaguars 14-8 at home last season. Off their bye, they are, as usual, fighting Manchester, but now also Oscar Smith, not for the two seed, but eyes are on the top seed in Class 6, Region A.
4) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (2-1, was #4, vs. South County Thursday): This is why we kept the Springers at this position in spite of their home loss to Huguenot. There's no shame in that. They respond on the road in a tough environment to handle Dinwiddie 49-28, and now, Dashaun Chisem seems a lot more comfortable at the offensive helm. South County is unbeaten at 2-0.
5) MANCHESTER: (3-0, was 7, at Clover Hill Friday): A great start for the Lancers, who will not look past this week's opponent. At some point, the Cavaliers will surprise someone. We're not sure that could happen this week.
6) TRINITY EPISCOPAL (2-1, was #12, at Woodberry Forest Saturday): A fantastic statement win, with a gutsy gamble which paid off in a 20-12 win at Hermitage. Now, Sam Mickens' squad must take a road trip and contend with a 2-0 Woodberry Forest squad coming off wins over Norfolk Academy and a St. Mary's Riken team that is off to an 0-3 start. Can't have a letdown here.
7) HERMITAGE (2-1, was #5, at #1 Varina Friday): Your prize for a sudden loss at home? A trip to an onery Varina team who are probably still in denial of finishing in a tie for the first time since the Reagan Administration. Gut checks don't get much deeper than this for the Panthers.
8) PETERSBURG (2-0, was #8, vs. John Marshall Friday): Hate to say it, but this will be a tune-up for the Wave, coming off their bye week with a trip to surprising Colonial Heights a week away. First things first, though. Go to 3-0, then get ready for not just the Colonials, but the rest of the Central District.
9) BENEDICTINE (2-1, was #9, at McDonogh Friday): A power outage shortened win at Matoaca behind them, now a huge road trip to Owings Mills, Maryland to battle an Eagles' squad off to a red hot 3-0 record. How healthy will the Cadets be, not just this week, but going forward?
10) ARMSTRONG (2-0, was #10, vs. Goochland Friday): This will be an interesting week for the Wildcats. Goochland was briefly a rival in Class 3, but no longer. The Bulldogs played 3-0 Mechanicsville tough but lost at home. This is the kind of game Jeremy Pruitt built this team for. After unleashing their brawling rush attack Saturday against John Marshall, the Goochland front seven will have their hands full.
11) THOMAS JEFFERSON (2-0, was #11, at Hopewell Friday): After Hermitage, is this the toughest test for a ranked team this week? It's possible. The Blue Devils, at 1-1, already see Class 3, Region A rivals Petersburg and Colonial Heights each with two victories. It's also Homecoming at Merner Field. But the Vikings have the power to overcome all this. They showed at Amelia Thursday night they are not overlooking anyone as the rest of their showdown with Armstrong looms October 5th. And with Poquoson losing last week, the Class 2, Region A race is wide open.
12) DINWIDDIE (2-1, was #6, at Salem Friday): The road ahead for the Generals got a lot tougher when they lost freshman quarterback Jailen Cox to a broken collarbone during their loss to Highland Springs. It only gets tougher as the Generals' first road trip takes them southwest to face a Salem squad that handed them a loss in the 2016 Class 4 State Championship and are off to a strong start.
DROPPING OUT: None
CHASING THE DOZEN:
Douglas Freeman (2-1)
Douglas Freeman (2-1)
Colonial Heights (2-1)
L.C. Bird (1-1)
Collegiate (3-0)
Hanover (1-1)
Mechanicsville (3-0)
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