Football preview

Published 9:54 am Thursday, October 5, 2017

ROANOKE CATHOLIC (5-0) at FUQUA (3-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Roanoke C. 54, Fuqua 11

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2016 state semis: Roanoke C. 52, Fuqua 30

Coaches’ game notes: This game is a showdown of the two highest-rated teams in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III state ratings. The No. 2 Falcons have looked forward all year to taking on the No. 1 Celtics and are probably the healthiest they have ever been going into the game.

The Celtics are a hard team to evaluate because they have not been challenged much, winning their five games by an average of 42.2 points, but they are historically good, winning the state championship last year and in 2014. They run a Delaware Wing-T offense.

PRINCE EDWARD (4-1) AT AMELIA (5-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Prince Edward 40, Amelia 6

Coach’s game notes: The Eagles return to action after their bye week to face one of the top two teams in the James River District.

The Raiders, 4-0 in the district, are highly balanced on offense, highly disciplined and quite well-coached.

On offense, junior Jalen Brown is an accurate quarterback, and he has three talented receivers that stand out — junior Howard Divens, junior Ziayahn Jackson and senior Greg Archer. The Raiders also have a trio of skilled running backs.

On defense, Amelia is strong at linebacker.

CUMBERLAND (0-5) AT GOOCHLAND (5-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Coach’s game notes: The Dukes are getting ready to play the best team on their schedule.

The Bulldogs are an across-the-board good football team that executes well, is tough and is well-coached. They would prefer to run the ball for the most part, but they will throw it in ideal passing situations. Giving a unique look, they like to run out of a two-wing formation with two wideouts.

The Dukes, who favor the pass, will have to complete passes and get some yards after the catch to open up the run a little bit against a team that works its assignments perfectly.

Cumberland senior wideouts Josh Brown and JaQuan Brown may be out for health reasons.