Here’s a look at this weekend’s games, with predictions from staff writers Larry Rubama and Marty O’Brien and assistant sports editor Greg Giesen. Here’s how they fared last week, including overall records: O’Brien 14-3 (37-4), Rubama 15-2 (36-5) and Giesen 12-5 (32-9).
Friday
All games at 7 p.m. at the home school unless noted.
Tallwood (1-1) at No. 3 Salem (2-0)
Buzz: Running back Kaelon Black leads Salem’s offense with 304 yards and five touchdowns (he also returned a kickoff for a touchdown). The SunDevils’ defense is led by Anwar Sparrow (16 tackles) and Isaiah Henderson and Amorie Morrison, who have three sacks each.
Larry: Salem 41-20. Marty: Salem 31-13. Greg: Salem 28-13.
Lakeland (0-1) at No. 4 Oscar Smith (0-1)
Buzz: The Tigers’ defense looked great in a loss to four-time defending state champion Highland Springs, but the offense struggled. They’ll try to get back on track against the Cavaliers, who are coached by former Oscar Smith star player and longtime assistant coach Joe Jones.
Larry: Oscar Smith 42-7. Marty: Oscar Smith 42-13. Greg: Oscar Smith 42-0.
No. 13 Landstown (1-1) at No. 5 Ocean Lakes (2-0)
Buzz: The Eagles shut out Tallwood after losing to Salem in the season opener. The Dolphins are playing well with QB Josh Brown (233 passing yards) and RB Kai Hodge (265 rushing yards, 3 TDs) leading the way.
Larry: Ocean Lakes 34-31. Marty: Ocean Lakes 24-10. Greg: Ocean Lakes 35-20.
Western Branch (0-1) at No. 6 Nansemond River (1-0)
Buzz: Nansemond River had a bye after beating Norview in the season opener. Running back Brent Stratton, a Western Branch transfer, gets to play against his former team, which has now lost 13 in a row dating back to 2017 season.
Larry: Nansemond River 41-13. Marty: Nansemond River 34-20. Greg: Nansemond River 42-0.
No. 7 Lafayette (1-0) vs. Grafton (1-1)
Site: Bailey Field (at York High).
Buzz: Rams’ coach Andy Linn will play his starters only briefly against the overmatched Clippers.
Larry: Lafayette 53-6. Marty: Lafayette 59-0. Greg: Lafayette 49-0.
No. 8 Indian River (0-1) at King’s Fork (1-0)
Buzz: The Braves look forward to getting back on the field after losing to Northeastern (N.C.) in their season opener two weeks ago.
Larry: Indian River 34-23. Marty: Indian River 24-14. Greg: Indian River 32-7.
No. 15 Cox (1-1) at No. 9 Bayside (1-0)
Buzz: The Marlins rolled in their season opener against First Colonial last week. They face a Falcons team that has dominated this series. Since 2014, Cox is 7-1 against Bayside with the Marlins only win coming in 2017.
Larry: Bayside 28-27. Marty: Bayside 21-20. Greg: Cox 14-13.
Denbigh (0-2) vs. No. 10 Woodside (2-0)
Site: Todd Stadium.
Buzz: Denbigh’s new coach, James Stewart, goes up against Woodside program he assisted for many years.
Larry: Woodside 27-6. Marty: Woodside 35-7. Greg: Woodside 35-6.
Kecoughtan (0-2) vs. No. 11 Phoebus (0-1)
Site: Darling Stadium.
Buzz: Phoebus looks to win its fourth consecutive in this series.
Larry: Phoebus 37-13. Marty: Phoebus 42-10. Greg: Phoebus 35-6.
Wilson (1-1) at No. 12 Deep Creek (1-0)
Buzz: The Hornets have won the last four meetings against Wilson.
Larry: Deep Creek 35-13. Marty: Deep Creek 28-12. Greg: Deep Creek 28-0.
Booker T. Washington (1-1) at Petersburg (1-1)
Buzz: The Bookers’ tandem of Rodney Hammond (443 yards, 3 TDs) and Avontea Mitchell (175 yards, 3 TDs) are a formidable 1-2 punch.
Larry: Booker T. Washington 34-26. Marty: Booker T. Washington 27-26. Greg: Booker T. Washington 24-20.
Granby (0-2) at Norview (0-2)
Buzz: Pilots receiver Camren Wynder-Hill is off to a fast start with 275 receiving yards and three touchdowns, and DB Daylen Everette has been a ball hawk with four interceptions. The Comets are trying to snap a 15-game losing streak dating back to 2017.
Larry: Norview 34-22 . Marty: Norview 19-12. Greg: Norview 24-20.
Green Run (0-1) at Kempsville (0-2)
Buzz: The Stallions’ offense looked explosive in season-opening loss to Tallwood. The Chiefs are trying to snap a 58-game losing streak.
Larry: Green Run 41-27. Marty: Green Run 27-21. Greg: Green Run 35-13.
Hickory (1-0) at Grassfield (0-1)
Buzz: The Hawks don’t have much time to prepare for the Grizzlies as they beat Currituck County (N.C.) on Tuesday. Grassfield is 10-2 all-time against Hickory and last lost to the Hawks in 2008.
Larry: Grassfield 28-20. Marty: Grassfield 30-14. Greg: Grassfield 21-10.
Bruton (0-1) at New Kent (1-0)
Buzz: New Kent is always tough at home, where it will be playing for the second time in five days.
Larry: New Kent 34-13. Marty: New Kent 35-14. Greg: New Kent 28-14.
Norcom (1-0) at Hopewell (1-0)
Buzz: The Greyhounds are coming off a big win over Petersburg to help Robert Jackson get his first victory as Norcom’s head coach.
Larry: Norcom 23-20. Marty: Hopewell 14-6. Greg: Norcom 14-7.
Prince George (2-0) at Churchland (2-0)
Buzz: The Truckers try to keep things rolling when they host the Royals.
Larry: Churchland 34-31. Marty: Prince George 17-14. Greg: Churchland 28-13.
Princess Anne (1-1) at First Colonial (0-2)
Buzz: The Cavaliers look to keep the Patriots winless on the season.
Larry: Princess Anne 41-20. Marty: First Colonial 20-17. Greg: Princess Anne 28-17.
Tabb (0-1) vs. Warhill (1-0)
Site: Wanner Stadium.
Buzz: Warhill won 28-14 a year ago, and this rematch of Wing-T offenses should be close.
Larry: Warhill 14-13. Marty: Warhill 20-13. Greg: Warhill 17-14.
Saturday
Smithfield (0-1) vs. Jamestown (0-1)
Time: 1 p.m.
Site: Wanner Stadium.
Buzz: The Packers’ solid showing in their season-opening loss to King’s Fork was a sign they’ll remain competitive in 2019.
Larry: Smithfield 33-13. Marty: Smithfield 28-13. Greg: Smithfield 34-12.
Gloucester (0-2) vs. Heritage (0-2)
Time: 2 p.m.
Site: Todd Stadium.
Buzz: Heritage should get coach Fabian Davis his first win after close losses to quality teams in its first two games.
Larry: Heritage 23-20. Marty: Heritage 14-13. Greg: Heritage 21-20.
