Football preview

Published 9:26 pm Wednesday, October 26, 2016

RANDOLPH-HENRY (1-7) at BUCKINGHAM (1-7)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Buckingham 55, R-H 13

Email newsletter signup

Coach’s game notes: The Knights are coming off a bye week that has given them time to get healthier as they look to improve and finish strong. Returning to the lineup will be junior team captain Brycen Newby, one of the three Knights seriously injured in a collision during the Oct. 7 game.

The Statesmen are sneaky good with the ability to beat anybody at any time. Senior quarterback Chris Powell is likely their best overall player, and adding significantly to the potency of their run game is junior Tyrie Blow-Tydings.

Senior team captain Jarvis Bowles will man the quarterback position for the Knights.

FUQUA (4-3) AT FREDERICKSBURG CHR. (3-5)

Kickoff: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Coach’s game notes: The Falcons are facing the likelihood they will have to play the remainder of the season without star senior quarterback Devin Allen, who went down with an ankle injury in last Friday’s game. The loss of his leadership, athleticism and football intelligence will be huge, but he will still provide his insights on the game to coaches from a special vantage point in the press box.

Junior Billy French and senior Ed Newman will spend time at quarterback.

The young Eagles give consistently outstanding effort. They run a single wing offense featuring misdirection and brute power, and the unit is led by sophomore Aaron Johnson.

CUMBERLAND (1-7) AT NOTTOWAY (2-6)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Nottoway 48, Cumberland 6

Coach’s game notes: The Dukes are running low on healthy players. Senior defensive standout Jaylen Gilliam joins the list of players out after suffering a dislocated finger and torn ligaments in last Friday’s game. Senior running back De’Suan Jennings is also questionable to play this week.

The Cougars are a better team than their record indicates as they have been in a lot of games they have not been able to finish out. They are a power running team, but also have a quarterback who throws well.

When on offense, the Dukes, tending to favor the run, expect the Cougars to load the box.