Football Preview

Published 11:40 am Thursday, November 2, 2017

PRINCE EDWARD (4-5) at BUCKINGHAM (4-5)

Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last season: Knights 34, Eagles 28

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Coach’s game notes: To help keep their playoff hopes alive, the injury-plagued Eagles must earn a victory over the surging Knights and get some help from a couple of other teams.

The top eight teams in Region 2A advance to the playoffs, and the Eagles are sitting at No. 9. They need Greensville County to defeat No. 8 Brunswick Senior, and they need Smithfield to defeat No. 7 Bruton.

The Eagles face a daunting task in Buckingham, though, as they look to take down a fully-healthy Knights team that is on a three-game winning streak and has built upon its early season run, putting the pieces together to find success.

It is hard to highlight standouts on offense for the Knights because they rotate their running backs so well, but the group includes freshman Gerry Toney, junior Tyrese Ayres, sophomore Walter Edwards and senior Daniel Brickhill.

Buckingham is also quite impressive on defense, led by senior Nicholas Hartwell.

The Knights will need to contain Eagles senior Zion Lewis, who is probably their best player and a real playmaker. Buckingham will also need to slow down juniors Rahme Marshall and Jarrel Robinson, who are known for running the ball hard, and junior Rah’Quan Payne, who has established himself as a dangerous receiver and runner after the catch.

RAND.-HENRY (0-9) AT CUMBERLAND (0-9)

Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last season: Statesmen 28, Dukes 6

Coach’s game notes: The Dukes are closing their regular season by playing a team that is similar to them. The Statesmen have some good players that are working hard, but they have struggled to get out of their own way and put it all together to win.

The Statesmen have begun to pass a bit more since their star, senior fullback/defensive end Tyrie Blow-Tydings, tore his ACL.

With a win, the Dukes will travel to face Altavista (2-7) in the first round of the Region 1B playoffs. With a loss, they may still do that but more than likely will have a rematch with host Central Lunenburg (4-5).

FUQUA (6-2) AT BROADWATER (1-7)

Kickoff: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Last season: Falcons 50, Vikings 14

Coach’s game notes: The Falcons’ playoff destiny is set for the most part as they are ranked No. 2 in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III state rankings and are in line to host a state semifinal game. However, because of that, they must be particularly careful not to overlook the Vikings, a well-coached team that has beaten the Falcons before when, on paper, it seemed like it should have gone the other way.

The young Vikings run a balanced offensive attack but have some unconventional habits, like frequently running hook-and-lateral plays.