As the Bay Rivers District football regular season enters its second half, here are the weekly predictions for Week 5, which features matchups between the top two passers and top two rushers in the district so far.
If you missed it earlier this week, the Virginia High School League released its weekly ratings Monday, which showed eight district teams would make the playoffs if the season ended following last week’s matchups.
My record from last week’s picks (click here to view them): 3-2
My overall season record: 12-8
Lafayette (5-0, 4-0 BRD) @ Poquoson (3-2, 2-2 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Poquoson Middle School
Prediction: Lafayette 41 Poquoson 20
Turnovers have been the only way for opponents to slow down the surging Rams, who have dominated every district team in their path en route to outscoring opponents a combined 175-52 in four district games. You can count on Poquoson’s offense, led by college recruit Grayson Boyce, to try and keep Lafayette off the field as long as possible with a heavy dose of run. Thing is, Lafayette’s defense, led by linebackers Blake Guminsky, Darren Patton and Schekel Wallace, has also been as good as any in the district. The Islanders defense has allowed more than 25 points per game this season, so it would be no surprise for running back Jahlil Green (736 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and the Rams offense to put up 40 or more points for the fourth game in a row.
Jamestown (2-3, 2-2 BRD) vs. Bruton (3-2, 2-2 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Wanner Stadium
Prediction: Bruton 24 Jamestown 20
Both teams featured very balanced offensive attacks capable of scoring points in various ways. The quarterbacks, Bruton’s Bilal Wallace (618 yards) and Jamestown’s Tyler Doane (549 yards), have been the two top passers in the district thus far. Running backs Kapri Doucet for Bruton, who scored four touchdowns two weeks ago against Warhill and followed with another big game despite being held out of the end zone in a win over York last week, and Jamestown’s Stas Szczepanski are both dangerous threats out of the backfield. Jamestown badly needs a win to not only end a two-game skid but also to remain in the postseason hunt. Bruton, on the other hand, has won two in a row and seems to be finding its stride. Expect a close one here and an aerial display few district matchups will produce.
York (2-3, 2-2 BRD) vs. Grafton (1-4, 0-4 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Bailey Field
Prediction: York 17 Grafton 7
As bad as York’s offense has been, only Grafton’s has been worse. The Clippers, who have been plagued by injuries ever since a 13-0 season-opening win over Hopewell, have lost all four of their district games while averaging just 10 points per contest. Things will get no easier for the Clippers this week against a York defense, led by brothers Darius and Malcolm Reynolds on the defensive ends and linebacker Marcus Wakelyn, that has allowed just over 10 points per gamer to district opponents. With a weak passing attack that has been virtually non-existent, the Falcons will need good production out of running backs Wakelyn and Chris Spruill.
Smithield (3-2, 2-2 BRD) vs. New Kent (2-3, 2-2 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Smithfield High
Prediction: Smithfield 21 New Kent 17
Breakout freshman running back Donald King, a top five rusher in the district at the half-way point, has been the spark for a Smithfield team that has had to score many more points this season since the defense has been nowhere near as formidable as last year’s unit that was one of the district’s toughest in years. New Kent has become hobbled by injuries — most notably standout running back Trey Lee — which is a big reason they’ve scored 20 points just once (in a 37-20 loss against Jamestown) in four district games. With that said, the Trojans will likely need a defensive effort similar to the one put forth in their two victories this season — an 11-8 win over York and 16-0 shutout of Grafton.
Tabb (3-2, 3-1 BRD) vs. Warhill (1-4, 1-3 BRD)
1 p.m. Saturday, Bailey Field
Prediction: Tabb 27 17
This one should be fun as the district’s top two rushers, who are both coming off monster games last week, go head-to-head. Warhill’s Devonte Dedmon, who is 50 yards shy of 1,000 yards entering Friday, came close to an all-time district record with 339 rushing yards last week against Poquoson. Tabb’s workhorse back Brent Hinson rushed for a career-high five touchdowns last week and has reached the century mark in all four the Tigers’ district games this season. The difference here is defense, where Tabb has been much better than a Warhill unit that has allowing just under 40 points per game against district opponents — and totals 49, 42 and 30 points during a current three-game losing streak — while being completely unable to stop the run. Tabb shook off a blowout loss against Lafayette (63-14) and took out its frustrations on a much-improved New Kent team before leaving with a 42-7 road victory. Expect the Tigers to come out fired up for their homecoming game.
