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[Dave Johnson]

Peninsula District game capsules

Game of the Week
Heritage (3-0, 2-0) vs. Woodside (2-1, 1-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Todd Stadium, Newport News
VIDEO: Live on NNPS47 cable TV in Newport News; nnpstv.com on the Internet.
The Hurricanes’ offense: Even without QB Lawrence Turner (ankle), Heritage has been efficient. Led by RB Richard Anthony (158 ypg), Heritage is averaging 31 ppg. David Searcy (10-of-21, 2 TDs) has filled in well.
The Hurricanes’ defense: Heritage has overcome Turner’s absence on this side of the ball, too, limiting opponents to 139 yards and 11 ppg. The ‘Canes are giving up only 53 ypg on the ground. Searcy leads the way at LB.
The Hurricanes’ storylines: Heritage is 3-0 for the first time since its state title season of 2000. A win keeps them undefeated going into next week’s game against Phoebus – not that anybody’s looking ahead. But Woodside, as always, is a tough out.
The Wolverines’ offense: A difficult team to prepare for, given that Woodside runs the Wing-T, the Single Wing and a spread. RB Josue Camsmith (76 ypg) is a speedster, and QB Aaron Evans (2 TDs last week vs. Phoebus) is developing.
The Wolverines’ defense: Led by 310-pound tackle Rashaun Allen, this is a pretty big front line. The Wolverines had given up only 134 passing yards in two games before Phoebus torched them for 215 last week.
The Wolverines’ storylines: Nothing is more important now than getting back on the winning track. Falling to 2-2 with Hampton on deck wouldn’t be a good recipe. Woodside needs a better start than last week, when it fell behind 14-0 after eight minutes.
The picks
Yours: Woodside (54.3% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Heritage

Bethel (2-1, 1-1) vs. Gloucester (1-2, 0-2)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Gloucester High School.
The offenses: All of a sudden, the Bruins have a passing game. QB Aris McGlone-English threw for 103 yards a TD in last week’s win over Warwick. RB Jontel Evans (143.7 ypg, 8 TDs) remains the focal point. Gloucester was shut out for the eighth time in 12 games last week and had only 116 total yards.
The defenses: Bethel forced four turnovers last week, one of which was a fumble LB Tyler Blowe returned for a touchdown. The Bruins’ ‘D’ has produced 3 TDs and a safety already this season. The Dukes have been solid, giving up only a touchdown in last week’s loss to Kecoughtan. LB Ray Harris is a tough guy to block.
The storylines: Suddenly, Bethel looks like a playoff team — though making it in Division 6 isn’t easy. Evans and McGlone-English have the offense clicking, and Tyler and Trent Blowe are leading the defense. Gloucester, on the other hand, began the season with two impressive performances before stumbling at home last week against Kecoughtan.
The picks:
Yours: Bethel (81.2% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Bethel

Menchville (1-2, 0-2) vs. Kecoughtan (1-2, 1-1)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Darling Stadium, Hampton.
The offenses: Menchville’s transition to a Flexbone attack is apparently going to take some time. The Monarchs have scored only 22 points and are averaging 78 ypg. The Warriors are a grind-it-out team, but RB Isaiah Sheppard (77.3 ypg) and QB Anthony Dorsey (73.3) have game-breaker potential.
The defenses: If you throw out last week’s 57-0 loss to Hampton — and John Byron would like to — the Monarchs haven’t been that bad. But the Crabbers ripped them for 470 yards last week. Kecoughtan’s ‘D’ saved the game last week. LB William Tate’s two INTs, including one in the end zone in the final minute, were the difference.
The storylines: It would have been hard to escape last week’s blowout without some damage to its psyche, but Menchville is pressing on. Leadership from QB Steve Crisp will be vital. For the Warriors, a big question is whether LB Derek Mayo, who injured his ankle last week, will be able to go tonight. Either way, Tate proved his worth last week.
The picks:
Yours: Kecoughtan (79.2% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Kecoughtan

Phoebus (3-0, 2-0) at Warwick (2-1, 1-1)

WHEN:7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Todd Stadium, Newport News
The offenses: For the second week in a row, Phoebus threw for more yards than it ran for. Talk about a rarity. The offense revolves around QB Tajh Boyd (29-of-46, 599 yards, 6 TDs). Warwick is struggling for consistency. The Raiders shot themselves in the foot last week vs. Bethel with turnovers and penalties.
The defenses: Phoebus is actually ranked in the middle of the pack in defensive stats (18 ppg, 203 ypg), but this remains a dominant group. CB Reid Evans has two INTs in three games. Warwick is giving up 201 rushing yards per game, a trend that has to be reversed. The secondary hasn’t been tested yet, but it will in this game.
The storylines: This will be the third time Warwick coach Stan Sexton goes against Phoebus’ Bill Dee, his mentor, but that’s secondary now. The Raiders need to bounce back in a big way. This game will showcase two of the district’s best place-kickers: Warwick’s Matt Bevins, who hit a 48-yard FG last week, and Phoebus’ Matt Cole.
The picks:
Yours: Phoebus (87.2% on HRVarsity.com)
Ours: Phoebus