Football preview

Published 6:32 pm Thursday, October 25, 2018

RANDOLPH-HENRY (0-7) AT BUCKINGHAM (4-4)

Kickoff: Thursday, 7 p.m.

This season: Knights 35, Statesmen 6

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Last season: Knights 53, Statesmen 6

Coach’s game notes: This game was moved up to Thursday due to expected inclement weather Friday.

The Knights are focused on winning their last two games of the regular season to get into the Region 2C playoffs with either a No. 7 or No. 8 seed.

They had only a day off between their defeat of Cumberland on Tuesday and this game, but they enter it healthy, with starters enjoying some rest in the decisive win against the Dukes.

The Statesmen prominently feature senior Treymon Roberts on offense where he serves as both a wing and a quarterback. He runs the ball hard. Another hard runner and good overall player is junior fullback/linebacker Daniel Parrish. Among some outstanding linemen for Randolph-Henry is senior Ryan Skipper, who plays right guard.

PRINCE EDWARD (3-5) AT GOOCHLAND (8-0)

Kickoff: Saturday, 4 p.m.

Last season: Bulldogs 56, Eagles 8

Coach’s game notes: A Saturday afternoon game time will work to the Eagles’ advantage in that they are beat up after facing physical opponents back-to-back. Every day counts in terms of getting healthy.

The Bulldogs are solid as a team and really good on defense, demonstrating good tackling and overall discipline. Senior Sam Brooks is a significant standout at linebacker, and Goochland also features key contributors on the line, including junior Jamal Carter.

On offense, the Bulldogs still favor the run, but Head Coach Alex Fruth has opened things up a bit, adding some three-receiver sets and more of a passing game. A leader on offense is junior quarterback Devin McCray.

The Eagles played without star senior lineman James Morgan on Tuesday and are expected to be without him Saturday.

BLUESTONE (2-7) AT CUMBERLAND (0-8)

Kickoff: Monday, 7 p.m.

Last season: Barons 51, Dukes 6

Coach’s game notes: Expected inclement weather led to this game’s postponement until Monday at 7 p.m.

It has been difficult for the Dukes to focus on the Barons, having just played Buckingham on Tuesday, but they will be braced for a really athletic Bluestone team that plays hard and tough. The Barons are fairly balanced on offense, but their biggest threat is the pass. Senior quarterback Dale Sturdifen Jr. distributes the ball to talented receivers, including 6-foot-3-inch senior Christopher Gregory and 6-4 junior Michael Harris, both of whom are also basketball players.

When running the ball, Bluestone features Harris, senior Taveion Small, freshman Keevonta Jones and junior Larry Bullock.

The key for the Dukes will be controlling the clock with their play on offense.

FUQUA (3-4) AT ISLE OF WIGHT (6-2)

Kickoff: Monday, 7 p.m.

Last season: Falcons 55, Chargers 32

Coach’s game notes: Expected inclement weather has moved this game to Monday at 7 p.m.

The Falcons know they will be getting a heavy dose of Chargers senior running back Hunter Edwards, who is hard to bring down, like trying to tackle a horse. Through eight games, he has carried the ball 81 times for 619 yards and eight touchdowns. That equals 7.6 yards per carry.

Also key is senior quarterback Ryan Boyce. Through seven games, he went 53-for-89 passing for 760 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception. He also had five rushing touchdowns.

The Falcons presently hold the No. 3 seed in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III state playoff picture. A win against the Chargers could essentially solidify that spot for Fuqua.