This Week’s Playoff Game Previews (Nov. 9-10)

ALSO: For All You Need To Be Informed

Northwest Region, Division 6

PATRICK HENRY (8–2) at COLONIAL FORGE (8–2)

Last meeting: First-ever meeting between the schools.

Common opponents in 2012: None

Tonight’s matchup: The Patriots and Eagles enter this quarterfinal contest with a lot of similarities. Both started the season with impressive winning streaks, were co-champions of their respective districts and boast strong defenses. Sixth-seeded Patrick Henry has given up just 16 points in its last three games. QB David Prince is a breakaway threat and has committed to Virginia Tech. No. 3 Colonial Forge started the year with six consecutive victories and earned a share of the Commonwealth District title with a stingy defense that posted four shutouts and a productive offense led by versatile QB Damon Daniel.

Northwest Region, Division 5

BROOKE POINT (5–5) at

GEORGE WASHINGTON–DANVILLE (8–2), 7

Last meeting: George Washington knocked Brooke Point out of the 2008 playoffs with a 27–21 win, and the 2007 postseason with a 48–21 victory.

Common opponents in 2012: None

Tonight’s matchup: There will be plenty of athleticism on display when these two familiar playoff opponents collide. Both teams run effective spread attacks. The sixth-seeded Black–Hawks have posted four straight wins, while the No. 3 Eagles finished with five victories in a row. Brooke Point has found its scoring punch behind WR Tyus White (60 receptions, 1,015 yards), QB Alex Cox (1,641 yards passing, 15 TDs) and RB Johnathan Horsley (955 yards, 10 TDs). GW is led by explosive RB Travis Jones, who has 1,261 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Northwest Region, Division 5

MOUNTAIN VIEW (6–4) at MASSAPONAX (7–3)

Last meeting: The Wildcats piled up 400 yards of offense in an impressive 37–14 victory earlier this year.

Tonight’s matchup: This rematch between two of the Commonwealth District’s highest scoring teams will also feature two of its most prolific offenses. The fifth-seeded Wildcats are averaging 36 points per game and are led by QB Elijah Burress (1,706 yards, 16 TD passes) and WR DaeSean Hamilton (51 receptions, eight TDs). The No. 4 Panthers closed with three straight wins thanks to an explosive multiple-option attack powered by workhorse FB Javonte Latney (1,232 yards, 14 TDs) and hard-running TB Joey Foster (546 yards, seven TDs).

Region I, Division 4

GRAFTON (4–6) at KING GEORGE (8–2)

Last meeting: First-ever meeting between the schools.

Common opponents in 2012: None

Tonight’s matchup: The third-seeded Foxes are hoping tonight is the start of something big after losing to Chancellor 31–0 in the playoffs last year. QB/MLB Corey Henderson (area-best 17 TD passes) has been a major factor on offense and defense. WRs Deshon Brown and Jacob Baker provide athletic targets. Grafton edged Jamestown and Tabb for the No. 6 seed in Division 4. The Clippers have lost three of their last four, but handed Smithfield its only defeat. QB P.J. Jackson (five TD passes) and WR Jesse Santiago (six TD catches) are two of their key performers.

Region I, Division 4

WARHILL (6–4) at COURTLAND (6–4)

Last meeting: Courtland knocked Warhill out of last year’s playoffs with a 20–10 victory.

Common opponents in 2012: None

Tonight’s matchup: This will be the No. 4 Cougars’ eighth trip to the Region I, Division 4 playoffs in the past nine years. Their formula for success has remained the same—a balanced running attack and a swarming defense. Both should get a good test against the fifth-seeded Lions from the Bay Rivers District. Elusive TB Devonte Dedmon averages 134 yards a game and has scored 16 touchdowns to fuel Warhill’s point production. Meanwhile, sophomore Anton Jenkins leads a stable of capable Courtland running backs with 595 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Eastern Section, Division 2

WASHINGTON & LEE (5–5) at

EAST ROCKINGHAM (7–3), 7

Last meeting: First-ever meeting between the two schools.

Common opponents in 2012: None

Tonight’s matchup: Two teams looking to get back on the winning track square off in this first-round contest. The ninth-seeded Eagles have dropped three in a row since a promising start and have been shut out in two of those games. Increased production from RBs Dexter Thompson (873 yards, seven TDs) and Kwame Gray (655 yards, six TDs) could help turn that around. Eighth-seeded East Rockingham finished fourth in the Shenandoah District and has dropped two of its last three. The third-year program relies heavily on the sturdy legs of RB Sharif Price, who has gained 1,387 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.

Eastern Section, Division 1

LANCASTER (5–5) at COLONIAL BEACH (6–4), 7

Last meeting: The Drifters rushed for 491 yards and nine touchdowns in a 66–36 Northern Neck District win this year.

Tonight’s matchup: Scoring points should be no problem for these two district rivals, who are meeting for the first time in the playoffs. The No. 11 Red Devils are averaging 38 points per game and closed the regular season with an 84–34 romp past Northumberland. RB TreVaughan Davis (1,449 yards, 12 TDs) and QB Kedrick Lee (2,267 yards passing, 19 TDs) fuel the high-octane attack. The sixth-seeded Drifters have averaged 43 points in their last three wins. RB Dion Gonzalez (1,166 yards, eight TDs) and QB Nick Graves (569 yards rushing, seven TDs) are key cogs in coach Scott Foster’s offense.

Saturday’s game

VISAA Division III semifinals

FREDERICKSBURG CHRISTIAN (8–1)

vs. NORFOLK CHRISTIAN (6–2)

at Powhatan Field, Norfolk, 7

Last meeting: First-ever meeting between the two schools.

Common opponents in 2012: Both teams defeated Atlantic Shores Christian.

Tonight’s matchup: Coach Tim Coleman’s No. 3 ranked Eagles look to continue their season against playoff-tested Norfolk Christian. Both squads can move the football and are averaging 31 points per game. The Ambassadors captured the Division III state title two years ago and lost in last season’s championship game to North Cross, the same team that eliminated FCS in the semifinal round. They get most of their offense from RB Jordan McFarlane and WR/QB George Wahee. The Eagles have won eight games behind the steady play of two-way standouts Hunter Griffis, Bret Barham and Aaron Alexander.

—Steve Franzello

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