Week 8 of the Bay Rivers football season means must-win situations for several district teams while others will look to better position themselves for a first-round home game.
The Game of the Week pits two teams, York (3-5) and Smithfield (4-4), who, while clinging to one of the final playoff spots in their respective regions, will look to end a rough couple of weeks.
Others such as Tabb, Bruton and Poquoson will look to lock up a first-round home game while Lafayette has all but secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Coming off a second consecutive 5-0 week, here’s a look back at my predictions from last weekend’s games:
Last week’s record: 5-0
Overall season record: 26-9
GAME OF THE WEEK: York (3-5, 3-4 BRD) vs. Smithfield (4-4, 3-4 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Bailey Field
Prediction: York 21 Smithfield 17
Both teams hold one of the final playoff spots in their respective regions. York entered this week at No. 11 in Region 3A East and Smithfield No. 15 in Region 4A South, but both likely need to win at least one of their final two games to keep it that way. The Falcons, losers of three out of their last four, face undefeated Lafayette in both teams’ season finales next week, so a loss here could mean ending the season with five losses in their final six games. Outside of the Rams, York’s defense has been the district’s stingiest this season as linebacker Marcus Wakelyn and defensive linemen Darius and Malcolm Reynolds have given opponents fits trying to run the ball. A big key for the Falcons could be at quarterback where new starter J.R. Jordan, a transfer from Las Vegas who took over under center two weeks ago, was forced out of last week’s game with an injury.
Poquoson (5-3, 4-3 BRD) vs. Grafton (3-5, 2-5 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Poquoson Middle School
Prediction: Poquoson 24 Grafton 17
Poquoson is a lock to make the Region 3A East playoffs and could almost guarantee itself a first-round home game with a win. Grafton needs to win each of its final games to have a shot of squeezing into the top 16 of the Region 4A South playoffs. The Clippers are 2-2 since quarterback Ryan Hiser’s return and have been solid defensively all season long, but the Islanders’ running game — led by powerful 6’3″, 245-pound Grayson Boyce — has been virtually unstoppable the past few weeks, rushing for more than 300 yards in three of their past four games.
Lafayette (8-0, 7-0 BRD) vs. Warhill (1-7, 1-6 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Wanner Stadium
Prediction: Lafayette 48 Warhill 6
Could Lafayette make it a third 62-0 shutout in a row? Perhaps, if Warhill star Devonte Dedmon is sidelined with an injury for the second week in a row. Even with Dedmon, the Lions’ defense has been among the worst in the district at stopping the run, an area where the Rams thrive behind the district’s leading rusher, Jahlil Green (1,230 yards, 20 TDs). Lafayette’s offense, averaging more than 45 points per game, gets most of the glory, but the Rams’ defense has been just as dominant in holding its last three opponents to seven combined points. Devonte’s younger brother, Keron Dedmon, showed similar big-play ability as his older brother in scoring on two long touchdown runs against Jamestown last week. He and Austin Parrot will try and keep the Lions from being shutout for the first time all season.
Bruton (5-3, 4-3 BRD) vs. New Kent (2-6, 2-5 BRD)
7 p.m. Friday, Bruton High
Prediction: Bruton 28 New Kent 10
Hats off to New Kent for simply deciding to play in the wake of their teammate’s sudden death earlier in the week. Both the Trojans and Panthers will honor New Kent sophomore Jacob Vick, who collapsed during practice Tuesday and later died, by wearing his No. 50 jersey number on their helmets. It’s hard to imagine New Kent being able to overcome the emotional weight of the last couple of days. Not to mention Bruton will be eager to improve upon their last performance at home when they were shut out by Tabb, 40-0, on Homecoming two weeks ago. Panthers quarterback Bilal Wallace returned to form last week against Grafton — he ran and threw for a pair of touchdowns — and could be in for a big day with his favorite target, JMU-bound Kapri Doucet.
Jamestown (3-5, 3-4 BRD) vs. Tabb (6-2, 6-1 BRD)
7 p.m. Saturday, Wanner Stadium
Prediction: Tabb 28 Jamestown 14
Unfortunately for Jamestown, which needs to win out to make the playoffs, its two remaining opponents — Tabb and Poquoson — are playing as well as anyone lately. The Eagles built some momentum last week after beating Warhill 34-20 to end a four-game losing skid, but suffered a huge loss when standout tight end Braxton Miller left with several torn ligaments in his knee. The Eagles’ offense should able manage OK with quarterback Tyler Doane and a trio of capable running backs, but will need a season-best performance from their defense if they hope to slow down Tabb running back Brent Hinson and wide out Antwuan Hicks.
