Cavs push for playoffs
Published 9:15 pm Thursday, October 29, 2009
King’s Fork (1-7, 1-6) at Lakeland (6-2, 5-2) – 7 p.m.
Last season – Lakeland 38, King’s Fork 13
Depending on other results around the Eastern Region, a win for the Cavaliers over their city rival could clinch a place in the eight-team Division 5 playoffs. The Cavaliers have already earned a winning record for the first time since 2001. Lakeland’s going for back-to-back city titles.
Cedric Johnson rushed for 279 yards and four touchdowns last year in Lakeland’s win at King’s Fork. KF had won three straight over the Cavs before 2008’s meeting.
Lakeland’s defense got its first shutout since 2004 last week in a 20-0 win at Deep Creek. The Cavaliers forced seven DC turnovers; four interceptions and three fumbles. Everyone on Lakeland’s defense, linemen, linebackers and defensive backs, was in on the turnovers.
King’s Fork’s lost four straight games. Dominique Patterson’s 93-yard punt return for a touchdown was KF’s only score in a 24-6 loss to Western Branch last Friday.
Indian River (0-8, 0-7) at Nansemond River (1-7, 1-6) – 7 p.m.
Last season – Indian River 49, Nansemond River 7
Indian River had five turnovers last Friday in a 33-19 loss to Great Bridge. The Braves, now in danger of a winless season, were 7-4 overall and in the regional playoffs last season.
Nansemond River lost to Oscar Smith last Friday, but the Warriors still did something very few teams can say through the Tigers’ 29 straight regular season wins; NR scored two touchdowns against Oscar Smith’s first team defense. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Moore rushed for a touchdown and threw for another against Oscar Smith.
Nansemond-Suffolk (6-2) at Trinity Episcopal (3-5) – 3p.m.
Last season – Trinity Episcopal 32, Nansemond-Suffolk 26, OT
Nansemond-Suffolk remains second in the state, barely behind No. 1 Blue Ridge, in the VIS (Virginia Independent Schools) Div. II power ratings.
The Saints are safely in the playoffs (top four), but getting the top seed would give NSA home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Trinity Episcopal, a Div. I school, could give NSA enough points to make a difference in the ratings. The Saints have to win though, and Trinity Episcopal has beaten NSA three straight seasons.
NSA and Trinity Episcopal have two common opponents this season. NSA beat Norfolk Academy 35-6 and beat Norfolk Christian 34-0. Trinity beat NA 48-19, but lost 33-19 to the Ambassadors. Trinity’s coming into the game off a 12-7 win at Christchurch.