Football preview
Published 10:29 am Thursday, September 21, 2017
BUCKINGHAM (1-3) at NOTTOWAY (0-3)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last season: Buckingham 46, Nottoway 33
Coach’s game notes: The Knights are working to avoid any kind of overconfidence after coming off their first win and now facing a team they had a lot of success against last year. The evidence is helpful, as the Cougars, though winless, have played tough against a trio of opponents that presently combine for a 10-1 record. The Cougars are balanced on offense, with a decent quarterback distributing the ball to some good receivers — Jordan Ellis and Tariq Smithers. Safety Nathan Mota stands out on defense for the Cougars.
Injured Knights center Garrett Hafley will still be out, but Tyrese Ayres could be back.
P. EDWARD (3-1) AT RANDOLPH-HENRY (0-3)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last season: PE 45, Randolph-Henry 40
Coach’s game notes: The Eagles are preparing for R-H and other teams to emulate Bluestone High School’s defensive strategy that limited the Eagles’ run game. This week, they are taking note of the impact of Statesmen linebacker Marvin Lambert.
While on defense, the Eagles will look to contain fullback Tyrie Blow-Tydings, who spearheads R-H’s power run game. Tight end Aaron Crawley is also a key threat.
The Eagles may be without running back Rahme Marshall, who has a head injury.
This game represents a mini-rivalry, with the teams trading recent high-scoring wins.
CUMBERLAND (0-3) AT C. LUNENBURG (0-4)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last season: C. Lunen. 62, Cumberland 14
Coach’s game notes: The Dukes are sure that Central Lunenburg is super-hungry and willing to give them their fourth loss, and the Dukes are super-hungry and willing to give the Chargers their fifth loss, so it is going to be that kind of a game. The Dukes respect Central as being much better than its record implies, having played some tough competition and competed well.
Central runs the ball right at its opponents, employing a unique offense that is difficult to defend, and fueling it is a standout, athletic offensive line.
The Dukes expect to be healthy by Friday.
FUQUA (2-1) at HAMPTON ROADS ACA. (1-2)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last season: Fuqua 39, HRA 13
Coach’s game notes: The Falcons are preparing to take on a Navigators team led by quarterback Kahleef Jimmison, a Division I-caliber athlete who was difficult to handle as a freshman and is now better developed, thicker, probably two steps faster and a better thrower as a sophomore. He is particularly dangerous when he escapes the pocket to run.
Simon Boyer is a big, tall and rangy target for Jimmison, and other key receivers include Nathan Bagley and Messiah Russell.
The Falcons are hoping to have quarterback/linebacker Billy French back full time.