Football preview

Published 4:56 pm Friday, August 30, 2019

KING WILLIAM (0-0) AT PRINCE EDWARD (0-0)

Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last season: Cavaliers 72, Eagles 6

Email newsletter signup

Coach’s game notes: The Cavaliers have lost eight players from the team they fielded last year, but otherwise they are the same squad that routed the Eagles by 66 points and then provided some bulletin board motivational material with things said to the media.

The Eagles have been reminded of this, and it has helped spur them on to good practices this week. As of Wednesday, they will be entering the season opener with a lineup of healthy starters.

On film, the Cavaliers are notably explosive off the ball. They run a lot of screens and a lot of quick passes on offense.

Their standouts include speedy and athletic sophomore running back Demond Claiborne and senior quarterback Lance Alfonso.

Defensively, the Cavaliers demonstrate great speed in pursuing the ball.

APPOMATTOX (0-0) AT BUCKINGHAM (0-0)

Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last season: Raiders 44, Knights 7

Coach’s game notes: The Raiders are perennial Virginia High School League Class 2 state championship contenders, which means they consistently field good teams, and this year is no different. They feature a lot of good skill players on offense, and they fly around and attack on defense.

Offensively, the Raiders usually favor the run, but they have some weapons that can hurt in the passing game. Players to watch include sophomore quarterback Tre Lawing, running back Cristian Ferguson and senior wide receiver/outside linebacker Tevin Hurt.

As of Wednesday, the Knights were set to enter this game with a healthy lineup.

CHATHAM (0-0) AT CUMBERLAND (0-0)

Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m.

Last season: Cavaliers 56, Dukes 6

Coach’s game notes: On film, the Cavaliers clearly look very well coached. They look like a tough team, so the Dukes will have their hands full, for sure.

On offense, the Cavaliers have an outstanding quarterback and a plethora of playmakers. The offense is built around the quarterback, who throws the ball a lot. He is an athlete and a threat when he runs it, but his priority is to pass the ball.

As of Wednesday, the Dukes are not coming into this game fully healthy, potentially missing one or two starters. Nevertheless, they enter the game motivated, aiming to execute their assignments and play good fundamental football, a renewed focus this season.

FUQUA (0-0) AT FREDERICKSBURG CHR. (0-1)

Kickoff: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Last season: Eagles 53, Falcons 6

Coach’s game notes: The Eagles are already a game into their season, meaning they have had the opportunity to get the first-game jitters out.

On film, they do not look awful even after losing 13 to 14 seniors — some of them excellent standouts — from last year’s squad that won the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state championship.

The Eagles will play hard. They are not going to be overly complex on offense, and they are going to play good, sound, fundamental defense.

Senior fullback Korey Hazel will be hard to bring down, and the Eagles have a couple of other skill players they will rely upon as well.

If the Falcons can protect the ball and block well, they can come out ahead. Dr. Clay Hall, whose quality care saves a game or two every year, is helping the team fight a summer cold.