Lynn Burke
10-04-2007, 04:53 PM
Bay Rivers District previews
By Jason Jordan | jjordan@dailypress.com (jjordan@dailypress.com)
GAME OF THE WEEK
Poquoson (2-3, 2-2) at Smithfield (3-2, 2-2)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Packer Stadium, Smithfield
The Islanders’ offense: The Islanders have successfully made the transition from running team to passing team this year. Eric Nixon is the top quarterback in the district averaging 135.4 yards a game and loves to throw the long ball to Justin Bollinger.
The Islanders’ defense: The Islanders’ defense is solid, but they allow 190 rushing yards per game and that is something they’ll have to address tonight with Smithfield running back Dyrell Roberts in the backfield.
The Islanders’ storylines: Can the Islanders step up and contain Roberts? And can Nixon and Bollinger work through a defense designed to shut down their passing game? If the Islanders can answer yes to both questions they can come away with a win.
The Packers’ offense: The Packers’ offense can be predictable at times, but it’s still almost impossible to stop with Roberts averaging 9.1 yards per carry and leading the district in rushing yards with 926 yards. Still, the Packers want to spread the touches.
The Packers’ defense: In this game the Packers are more concerned with their pass defense, which allows 54 yards a game. Against the second best passing team (Jamestown), the Packers allowed 150 yards.
The Packers’ storylines: The Packers will have to contain the pass in order to win and they have the athletes to do that. Roberts will get his yards and scores, but the Packers don’t want to get into a shootout, that didn’t work against Tabb.
The picks
Yours: Smithfield (67.19% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Smithfield
Jamestown (2-3, 1-3) at Bruton (2-2, 1-2)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Bruton High School, Williamsburg
The offenses: The Eagles’ are coming off of a game in which they were without quarterback Mike Laycock and managed to win. This week he’s probable to return and that’s good news for the passing game. Bruton has struggled offensively this year, putting up just 213 yards of offense and 12 points per game.
The defenses: With Laycock back under center, the Panthers know that they’ll have to improve their pass defense, which only allows 81 yards per game. But last week against the No. 1 passing team (Poquoson) they couldn’t stop the run. That’s been Jamestown’s problem too, they are giving up 207 rushing yards per game.
The storylines: Bruton is desperately in need of a win after getting blanked by Poquoson last week. The worst part is the Islanders didn’t even have to use their strong passing game to do it. Laycock and the Eagles are tired of coming close against good teams, but falling short. They know that the Panthers are hungry for a win and are a capable team.
The picks:
Yours: Jamestown (81.08% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Jamestown
New Kent (2-2, 1-2) at Lafayette (5-0, 4-0)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Cooley Field, Williamsburg
The offenses: New Kent took the week off, but not before rocking Warhill the week before. In that game the Trojans put up 442 rushing yards and 41 points. Lafayette is coming off a big win over Tabb. Garrick Piggott rushed for 118 yards and gave the Rams great field position all night. T.J. Ptachick added 81 yards.
The defenses: The Rams know all about the Trojans big offense explosion against the young Lions and will be ready. Last week they shut down the No. 1 rushing offense in the district (Tabb), holding them to just 120 yards. They were averaging over 300. New Kent only allows 215 yards of offense per game.
The storylines: Piggott and the Rams looked determined to prove that they were the elite team in the district with last week’s convincing win over Tabb. Sometimes after big wins like that there is a letdown the following week and the Rams will have to be prepared for that. The Trojans are tough, but don’t have the talent to beat the Rams at home.
The picks:
Yours: Lafayette (76.92% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Lafayette
Southampton(0-4, 0-3) at Warhill (0-4, 0-3)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: James City County Stadium, Williamsburg
The offenses: The Indians were horrific last week against Grafton, managing just 57 yards of offense in a blowout loss. Quarterback Sidney Rawls couldn’t get time to make plays and the offense faltered as a result. The Lions weren’t any better in their loss to Smithfield, they only managed 21 yards of offense.
The defenses: Both teams gave up 40-plus points last week and both have struggled against the run all year. Southampton allows 179 rushing yards per game, but also allows 141 passing yards. Warhill allows 343 rushing yards per game and 43 points. The Lions have to find a way to contain the run better than that. That has to be goal No. 1.
The storylines: Both teams are searching for their first win and Southampton has a veteran quarterback in Rawls, which gives them the edge. Still, the Lions have showed the ability to put up points. They scored 14 against New Kent. If they can get some protection for quarterback Shawn Cvengros they could put up a fight.
The picks:
Yours: Southampton (56.41% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Southampton
Tabb (4-1, 3-1) at York (2-2, 2-1)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Bailey Field, York
The offenses: The Tigers couldn’t get anything going last week against the Lafayette defense. They only managed 120 rushing yards and were averaging more than 300. York was balanced in last week’s loss to Jamestown, but couldn’t punch the ball in when they needed to. Evan Yeo and Co. will need to make big plays to beat Tabb.
The defenses: Tabb’s defense suffered last week with linebacker Dominic Jeter and cornerback Ottis West sidelined. They gave up 219 rushing yards to the Rams. The Falcons have been strong defensively this year, only allowing teams 124 rushing yards and 47 passing yards per game.
The storylines: The Tigers are hungry after their offense got shut down last week in a high stakes game against Lafayette. Running back Corey Legister will be looking to help the Tigers bounce back. But the Falcons aren’t a pushover team. Yeo and Jon Parks are both strong in the backfield and will keep the Falcons within striking distance, but Tabb should win.
The picks:
Yours: Tabb (69.12% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Tabb
By Jason Jordan | jjordan@dailypress.com (jjordan@dailypress.com)
GAME OF THE WEEK
Poquoson (2-3, 2-2) at Smithfield (3-2, 2-2)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Packer Stadium, Smithfield
The Islanders’ offense: The Islanders have successfully made the transition from running team to passing team this year. Eric Nixon is the top quarterback in the district averaging 135.4 yards a game and loves to throw the long ball to Justin Bollinger.
The Islanders’ defense: The Islanders’ defense is solid, but they allow 190 rushing yards per game and that is something they’ll have to address tonight with Smithfield running back Dyrell Roberts in the backfield.
The Islanders’ storylines: Can the Islanders step up and contain Roberts? And can Nixon and Bollinger work through a defense designed to shut down their passing game? If the Islanders can answer yes to both questions they can come away with a win.
The Packers’ offense: The Packers’ offense can be predictable at times, but it’s still almost impossible to stop with Roberts averaging 9.1 yards per carry and leading the district in rushing yards with 926 yards. Still, the Packers want to spread the touches.
The Packers’ defense: In this game the Packers are more concerned with their pass defense, which allows 54 yards a game. Against the second best passing team (Jamestown), the Packers allowed 150 yards.
The Packers’ storylines: The Packers will have to contain the pass in order to win and they have the athletes to do that. Roberts will get his yards and scores, but the Packers don’t want to get into a shootout, that didn’t work against Tabb.
The picks
Yours: Smithfield (67.19% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Smithfield
Jamestown (2-3, 1-3) at Bruton (2-2, 1-2)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Bruton High School, Williamsburg
The offenses: The Eagles’ are coming off of a game in which they were without quarterback Mike Laycock and managed to win. This week he’s probable to return and that’s good news for the passing game. Bruton has struggled offensively this year, putting up just 213 yards of offense and 12 points per game.
The defenses: With Laycock back under center, the Panthers know that they’ll have to improve their pass defense, which only allows 81 yards per game. But last week against the No. 1 passing team (Poquoson) they couldn’t stop the run. That’s been Jamestown’s problem too, they are giving up 207 rushing yards per game.
The storylines: Bruton is desperately in need of a win after getting blanked by Poquoson last week. The worst part is the Islanders didn’t even have to use their strong passing game to do it. Laycock and the Eagles are tired of coming close against good teams, but falling short. They know that the Panthers are hungry for a win and are a capable team.
The picks:
Yours: Jamestown (81.08% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Jamestown
New Kent (2-2, 1-2) at Lafayette (5-0, 4-0)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Cooley Field, Williamsburg
The offenses: New Kent took the week off, but not before rocking Warhill the week before. In that game the Trojans put up 442 rushing yards and 41 points. Lafayette is coming off a big win over Tabb. Garrick Piggott rushed for 118 yards and gave the Rams great field position all night. T.J. Ptachick added 81 yards.
The defenses: The Rams know all about the Trojans big offense explosion against the young Lions and will be ready. Last week they shut down the No. 1 rushing offense in the district (Tabb), holding them to just 120 yards. They were averaging over 300. New Kent only allows 215 yards of offense per game.
The storylines: Piggott and the Rams looked determined to prove that they were the elite team in the district with last week’s convincing win over Tabb. Sometimes after big wins like that there is a letdown the following week and the Rams will have to be prepared for that. The Trojans are tough, but don’t have the talent to beat the Rams at home.
The picks:
Yours: Lafayette (76.92% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Lafayette
Southampton(0-4, 0-3) at Warhill (0-4, 0-3)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: James City County Stadium, Williamsburg
The offenses: The Indians were horrific last week against Grafton, managing just 57 yards of offense in a blowout loss. Quarterback Sidney Rawls couldn’t get time to make plays and the offense faltered as a result. The Lions weren’t any better in their loss to Smithfield, they only managed 21 yards of offense.
The defenses: Both teams gave up 40-plus points last week and both have struggled against the run all year. Southampton allows 179 rushing yards per game, but also allows 141 passing yards. Warhill allows 343 rushing yards per game and 43 points. The Lions have to find a way to contain the run better than that. That has to be goal No. 1.
The storylines: Both teams are searching for their first win and Southampton has a veteran quarterback in Rawls, which gives them the edge. Still, the Lions have showed the ability to put up points. They scored 14 against New Kent. If they can get some protection for quarterback Shawn Cvengros they could put up a fight.
The picks:
Yours: Southampton (56.41% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Southampton
Tabb (4-1, 3-1) at York (2-2, 2-1)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Bailey Field, York
The offenses: The Tigers couldn’t get anything going last week against the Lafayette defense. They only managed 120 rushing yards and were averaging more than 300. York was balanced in last week’s loss to Jamestown, but couldn’t punch the ball in when they needed to. Evan Yeo and Co. will need to make big plays to beat Tabb.
The defenses: Tabb’s defense suffered last week with linebacker Dominic Jeter and cornerback Ottis West sidelined. They gave up 219 rushing yards to the Rams. The Falcons have been strong defensively this year, only allowing teams 124 rushing yards and 47 passing yards per game.
The storylines: The Tigers are hungry after their offense got shut down last week in a high stakes game against Lafayette. Running back Corey Legister will be looking to help the Tigers bounce back. But the Falcons aren’t a pushover team. Yeo and Jon Parks are both strong in the backfield and will keep the Falcons within striking distance, but Tabb should win.
The picks:
Yours: Tabb (69.12% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Tabb