This Week’s Game Previews (Oct. 19)

SEE ALSO: This week’s Top 5 and MORE

JAMES MONROE AT COURTLAND, 7:30

Last meeting: The unbeaten Jackets amassed 347 yards of offense and rolled to a 39–16 homecoming win last season.

Tonight’s matchup: This marquee contest between two of the Battlefield District’s best teams has more than just pride at stake. A victory by the Cougars strengthens their playoff chances and pulls them even with JM in the Battlefield District race.

The surging Jackets remain the top-ranked team in Region I, Division 3 and continue to get healthy after a rash of injuries. In last week’s 41–0 victory over Culpeper, RB Adrian Boone saw action again and scored on a 75-yard burst. QB Jay Scroggins tossed three straight touchdown passes in the second quarter.

After a 1–3 start, the Cougars have worked their way into contention for one of the six playoff berths in Region I, Division 4. Coach J.C. Hall’s squad showed its resilience last week at Caroline. After the Cavaliers scored first, Courtland responded with 29 straight points en route to a 36–13 victory.

NORTH STAFFORD AT STAFFORD, 7:30

Last meeting: The Wolverines clinched a share of the Commonwealth District title with last year’s 40–27 victory.

Tonight’s matchup: With their regular seasons winding down, the Indians and Wolverines clash in the annual “Battle for the Bell” and continue their push for the playoffs.

North Stafford continues to maintain the top spot in the Northwest Region, Division 5 playoff race and showed no signs of slowing down against Albemarle last week. QB Jalen Sarratt completed 9 of 11 passes for 122 yards, including one for a touchdown to WR Anthony Shegog in the 52–20 victory. The Indians try to regroup after being steamrolled by Mountain View, 63–21. After Da’Shawn Harris scored on a 70-yard sprint in the first quarter, the Indians fell behind 56–14 at the half and never recovered. Despite the one-sided defeat, Stafford is still alive and well in the Division 5 playoff hunt.

RIVERBEND AT MASSAPONAX, 7:30

Last meeting: QB Alphonso Trice ran for three touchdowns as the Panthers improved to 6–2 with a 42–14 victory last year.

Tonight’s matchup: The Bears and Panthers renew acquaintances in this game between two county rivals. With three games left, both are still in the Northwest Region playoff picture.

Riverbend halted a two-game losing skid with a much-needed 35–0 win over Orange last week and improved its position in the Division 6 scenario. The Bears are battling three other teams for the sixth and final spot. In the victory over the Hornets, the defense set the tone, limiting Orange to just 30 yards rushing.

Coach Eric Ludden’s Panthers dropped a couple of notches in the Division 5 standings after losing at Brooke Point last week, but still control their own destiny. Against the Black–Hawks, they had trouble finding their rhythm and never got untracked in a 16–0 loss that included four lost fumbles and four interceptions.

CAROLINE AT KING GEORGE, 7

Last meeting: The Foxes built a 20-point lead at the half and then survived a furious Caroline rally in last year’s 26–19 win.

Tonight’s matchup: After a tough loss at Chancellor, the Foxes look to improve to 3–0 in their new stadium and solidify their hold on a Region I, Division 4 playoff berth.

Caroline’s 36–13 defeat at Courtland last week was the Cavaliers’ second of four straight games against the Battlefield District’s upper echelon. After tangling with the Foxes, they square off against Chancellor’s rugged defense next week. QB Curtis Leacock threw for 257 yards and a score against the Cougars.

With just Culpeper and Eastern View left on their schedule after tonight, the Foxes are hoping to use a win over the Cavaliers as a springboard to a strong finish in their regular season and a home game in the playoffs. RB Jordi Estes scored their only touchdown in the fourth quarter of last week’s 14–7 loss to the Chargers.

BROOKE POINT AT ALBEMARLE, 7

Fresh off a 16–0 win over Massaponax, the Black–Hawks take on the struggling Patriots, who were pounded 52–20 at North Stafford. WR/DB Tyus White was a major force against the Panthers with nine catches, a touchdown and two pass interceptions. QB Alex Cox completed 13 of 19 pass attempts.

CHANCELLOR AT SPOTSYLVANIA, 7:30

The Chargers continue their push for a top seed in the Division 4 playoffs and a shot at the Battlefield District title. Their defense continued to set the pace in last week’s 14–7 win over King George. The Knights stayed even with Eastern View for three quarters, but gave up 10 unanswered points in a 17–7 defeat.

COLONIAL BEACH AT NORTHUMBERLAND, 7

After absorbing a 47–8 pounding by No. 1 Essex, the Drifters visit the Indians in search of their first Northern Neck District win. RB Dion Gonzalez ran for 94 yards and helped foil the Trojans’ shutout bid with an 8-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

CULPEPER AT EASTERN VIEW, 7:30

The Blue Devils and Cyclones stage their annual battle for county bragging rights. Eastern View earned its first Battlefield District win last week by outlasting Spotsylvania and snapping a four-game losing streak, while Culpeper lost, 41–0, at JM. The Cyclones won last year’s meeting, 37–13.

FREDERICKSBURG CHRISTIAN

AT FISHBURNE MILITARY, 4

The Eagles return to Patriot League competition against the Caissons (2–4) in Waynesboro. Last week, they had their six-game winning streak halted by VISSA Division I member, Paul VI. RB Hunter Griffis and QB Bret Barham scored on short runs in the 26–14 defeat.

ORANGE AT COLONIAL FORGE, 7:30

After getting their first loss of the season at Hylton, the Eagles begin their stretch drive for another Commonwealth District title. After tonight’s matchup with the 1–6 Hornets, they close with games against Massaponax and Riverbend. Against the Bulldogs, they scored first on Matt Myers’ 28-yard field goal.

POWHATAN AT LOUISA, 7:30

The Lions wrap up their home schedule with a Jefferson District test against the third-place Indians, who shut out Fluvanna, 16–0, last week. Two weeks ago, the Lions gave up three late scores in a 34–19 loss to the Flucos, despite gaining 185 yards on the ground.

WASHINGTON & LEE AT RAPPAHANNOCK, 7

With next week’s big showdown for first place with Essex looming on the horizon, the Eagles try to take care of business against the Raiders. Last week, RBs Dexter Thompson (225 yards, touchdown) and Keame Gray (104 yards, two touchdowns) helped carry them to a 27–6 victory at Northumberland.

—Steve Franzello

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