Week 7 Preview

 Now that the half way point of the season is behind us we have now entered the playoff chase portion of the season. Some are in great shape, Mountain View looks poised to make their 12th straight playoff appearance (a Fredericksburg area best), Riverbend is in position to be a top 4 seed and secure a home playoff game if their success continues. However in total it has not been the strongest year for some of the areas perennial contenders. Colonial Forge and North Stafford are sitting at 2-3 and on the outside looking in of the playoff hunt for both Region 6B and Region 5D respectively. To make matters worse the 2 had to cancel their game tonight due Covid issues within one of the schools program. This will make it a task for either programs to make the playoffs in the long run. Massaponax is climbing the ladder as they sit at 1-1 but for the time being also find themselves at on the outside looking in and are in need of what would be a huge win tonight. Teams like James Monroe, and Courtland would all need drastic turnarounds in their season to play past the first weekend in November. But enough about the bad news let's get into the rest of the article 

Where I was right:

Many people questioned a couple of things about my Pre-Season Poll. 1. King George at 5 despite the talent they've lost and 2. Ranking Massaponax in the top ten and over North Stafford depsite Ponax losing their most talented Senior class probably in school history. As of right now KG is 4-0 and is just blowing the doors off teams (again) and Massaponax dominated their game vs North (again) cruising to a 34-6 victory. Folks, these programs are successful for their leadership and ability to coach up young men through the entire program. 

Where I was wrong:

I had my doubts about BPs ability to keep the game close with Riverbend after seeing them struggle in their first 3 games defensively. But they impressed me holding a good Riverbend team to 23 points in what turned out to be a heart breaking loss

LOCKS OF THE WEEK

#6 Eastern View (3-1) vs James Monroe (1-4)

I normally would never count out a JM football team kind of a rule I made for myself. However, I can't find a way to convince myself they can win this week. It is not that I'm insulting them I just feel as though they are a bit overpowered tonight. Eastern View is starting to find their stride on both sides of the ball and it would take a very unexpected performance for them to get upset tonight.  

INTRIGUING MATCHUPS

#3 Riverbend (5-1) at #8 Massaponax (1-1)

This is a very significant game. I'd say more so for Massaponax than for Riverbend. Ponax has not had many opportunities this season and they won't get many more. A win over Riverbend who is already sitting with 5 wins would boost them tremendously and possibly into a playoff posittion. But it will be anything but easy for them to knock off a Riverbend squad that has won 4 straight including 2 consecutive thrillers of North Stafford and Brooke Point. Aidan Fisher has really fit perfectly as a Running Back in this Offense and Tanner Triplett has made defenses pay all year long through the air. Which has made it incredibly difficult for for teams to prepare for the Bears balance. If you're feeling nostalgic and miss old school hard nose smash your face in football I'd advise you to attend this game time between these two rivals 

Prediction: Riverbend 16 Massaponax 31

Culpeper (3-3) at #10 Spotsylvania (3-2)

                                                                                                 

I think that this like the other intriguing matchup will be a quick but hard nosed tough game. Both teams like to keep it on the ground and know their identity. Malachi Terrell is one of the more underrated players in this area. He's not the fastest Running Back but he's 5'11 200 pounds and makes a lot of defenders hesitate before trying to tackle him which wears down opponents through the second half of games. Spotsylvania's Monte McMorris and Joseph Gonzalez will likely have to be ready to answer Culpeper's rushing attack in a game between 2 teams that are fighting for more respect in the Battlefield District  

Prediction: Culpeper 19 Spotsylvania 17

OTHER GAMES

Fauquier (2-3) at #4 Kettle Run (5-1) 

Orange (3-2) at #5 Louisa (4-1)

Courtland (1-4) at #7 Chancellor (2-1)

Brooke Point (2-2) at Stafford (0-5)

Liberty (0-4) at Sherando (3-3)