MIDDLESEX (1-0) AT CUMBERLAND (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Coach’s game notes: The Dukes take on a new foe in the form of the Middlesex Chargers, a team fresh off of a strong performance that yielded a 33-9 home win over Mathews High School.

The Chargers are defined by their quickness and their athleticism.

They run a power offense, and most of their runs are straight ahead. Surprisingly, they do not have much size on the line paving the way. Rather, they have small, quick linemen that are scrappy and wore down Mathews’ big defensive line.

Middlesex senior quarterback Matthew Hart is a standout athlete, and he is a major threat along with senior running back Adam Smith.

The Dukes have the benefit of playing on their home field as they aim to rebound from a lopsided opening home loss last week.

FUQUA (1-0) AT BSH CATHOLIC (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

2018 state semifinals: Falcons 58, Knights 25

2018 regular season: Knights 26, Falcons 6

Coach’s game notes: On offense and defense, the Knights will be operating quite similarly to how they did last year. They are missing some of the size up in front, but they are still pretty decent in the backfield.

The No. 1 player for the Falcons defense to key on will be junior quarterback Trevor Parker. He can run the ball quite well and can throw fairly well too. Senior fullback Chase Musselman runs hard, and junior wide receiver/defensive back Ben Newton, a transfer from Richmond Christian School, also stands out on film.

The Knights have an unusual offense that involves rolling the snap on the ground before misdirection and sizable linemen facilitate play.

Falcons junior running back/linebacker Sean Bradley Jr. will be sidelined after a car accident. 

PRINCE EDWARD (0-1) AT ALTAVISTA (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Eagles 39, Colonels 14

Coach’s game notes: It was evident from the film that the Colonels are pretty fast.

They are led on offense by junior quarterback Jayllen Jones, who is said to have won the Class 1 state championship in the 100-meter dash. The Eagles will need to contain him and not let him get to the outside. In a 28-8 season-opening victory at Central Lunenburg High School last week, Jones threw a little bit, but most of the time, he’s trying to run the ball. The Colonels also feature some tight ends that are fairly tall.

Meanwhile, the Eagles have been working hard in the wake of their 53-0 season-opening home loss to King William High School. They spent Labor Day working on fundamentals and the mistakes they made against the Cavaliers. They are treating that game as a learning tool. 

BYE: BUCKINGHAM (1-0)