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[Lynn Burke]

Peninsula District previews

By DAVE JOHNSON | djohnson@dailypress.com

Woodside (2-0, 1-0) vs. Phoebus (2-0, 1-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Darling Stadium, Hampton
The Wolverines’ offense: With some new faces taking over, Woodside is averaging 30 points and 259 rushing yards per game. Sophomore QB Aaron Evans has completed only six passes, but four of them went for touchdowns.
The Wolverines’ defense: Woodside completely shut down Maury in the second half last week. With good size up front, the Wolverines have given up only 134 rushing yards in two games. The secondary, led by Matt Young, will be tested.
The Wolverines’ storylines: Other than Hampton, Woodside is the only team to have beaten Phoebus since the 2003 playoffs. Guys like Evans and RB Josue Camsmith weren’t on the team then, but these Wolverines have demonstrated a winner’s edge.
The Phantoms’ offense: Last week’s win over Bethel was an air show. QB Tajh Boyd threw for 259 yards — 110 going to WR Jermando Towler, 104 to WR Reid Evans. Shawne Alston (203 yards) has emerged as the Phantoms’ top runner.
The Phantoms’ defense: Phoebus has given up 40 points in two games, but this is a solid group. DT Dominik Davenport and LB Darius McMillan can stuff anybody’s running game. Phoebus held Woodside to a touchdown in last year’s 34-7 win. The Phantoms’ storylines
The Phantoms' storyline: Are we looking at Air Dee now? Boyd might be the best pure passer Phoebus has ever had. Defensively, Davenport’s presence will be vital against Woodside’s Wing-T. P-PK Matt Cole (7-7 PAT, 2-2 FG) can make a difference.
The picks:
Yours: Woodside (54.2 percent on HRvarsity.com as of 2 p.m. Thursday)
Ours: Phoebus


Kecoughtan (0-2, 0-1) at Gloucester (1-1, 0-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Gloucester High School
The offenses: Kecoughtan is still having trouble finding the end zone, but RB Isaiah Sheppard (177 yards) and QB Anthony Dorsey (152 yards, 2 TDs) are tough to handle. The Dukes are coming off one of their best offensive games in years led by QB Tommy Reamon Jr.’s 287 total yards and four touchdowns.
The defenses: Led by LB Derek Mayo and 295-pound DT Calvin Ruffin, the Warriors are giving up only 161 yards a game. But sometimes the offense leaves them in a bind. Gloucester’s ‘D’ keeps getting better, though the Dukes did give up 373 yards last week against Norview. Stopping the run will be critical.
The storyline: An important game for each team, neither of which wants to drop to 0-2 in the PD. Gloucester won last year’s game (its only win of the year) 23-6 behind 177 rushing yards by Ray Harris. The Warriors believe they should be 2-0, and if not for some costly turnovers and mistakes against Warwick and Churchland, they might be. Could a turnaround begin tonight?
The picks:
Yours: Gloucester (63.2% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Gloucester

Heritage (2-0, 1-0) vs. Denbigh (0-2, 0-1)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Todd Stadium, Newport News
VIDEO: NNPS-TV 47 in Newport News; on Internet at nnpstv.com
The offenses: Heritage has a bunch of weapons, from RB Richard Anthony (310 yards, 2 TDs) to David Searcy (119 passing yards last week) to the injured Lawrence Turner. The Hurricanes are averaging 36.5 ppg. Denbigh is off to a slow start, but QB Jazz Holiday (17-of-38, 205 yards) has a live arm.
The defenses: Norcom roughed up the Hurricanes for 352 yards last week but scored only 12 points. Coach Jason Robinson will take that tradeoff. Turner is a big presence at LB, but he remains questionable (ankle sprain). Denbigh held Lake Taylor to 223 yards last week. DB Devon Simmons is a good one.
The storyline: Anyone who projected Heritage as a playoff contender is looking pretty good right about now. The Canes have looked sharp on both sides of the ball, even without Turner last week. Searcy also is a difference-maker at LB. Denbigh made some improvement from Week One to Week Two, but they still aren’t where they need to be. The picks:
Yours: Heritage (76.9% on HRVarsity.com as of 2 p.m. Thursday)
Ours: Heritage

Warwick (2-0, 1-0) at Bethel (1-1, 0-1)

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Darling Stadium; Hampton
The offenses: The Raiders struggled in their opener but bounced back last week against Booker T. QB Lamonte Williams threw for 101 yards and rushed for 104. Bethel’s horse is RB Jontel Evans (288 yards, 5 TDs), but the Bruins have a better passing game this year behind QBs Teddy BaCote and Aris McGlone-English.
The defenses: Warwick has given up only 16 points so far, but Bethel will be its toughest test to date. LB O’Bryan Whitaker and DB B.W. Webb are the catalysts. Led by LBs Tyler and Trent Blowe, the Bruins did a nice job of containing Phoebus’ running game last week. Bethel held Warwick to a TD last year.
The storyline: Most observers pegged the Raiders as the lead contender for third place back in the preseason. After last week’s effort against Phoebus, Bethel might have entered that picture as well. With Evans finding holes and the Blowe twins leading the defense, the Bruins are a different team. But the Raiders have incredible size up front.
The picks:
Yours: Bethel (77.8% on HRVarsity.com as of 2 p.m. Thursday)
Ours: Warwick

[swampcane]

Are you sure that Norcom had 352 yards on Heritage last week? Shouldn't that stat be the other way around?

[Dave Johnson]

Quite honestly, I think we messed that up. Our apologies.