Football preview

Published 9:05 am Thursday, September 15, 2016

CENTRAL (L) (2-1) at PRINCE Edward (1-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Central 48, Prince Edward 6

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Coach’s game notes: The Eagles will be without approximately five players Friday due to injury, including senior linebacker Markeem Trent, a leader on defense, and sophomore James Morgan, one of the team’s better linemen.

It has been a challenge for the Eagles to prepare for the Chargers’ double-wing offense. In contrast to the spread offense formations the Eagles have seen, the Chargers will bring all 11 players into the box and use a wealth of blockers at the point of attack.

The key ball carriers for the Chargers are Dashawn Moore, Malcolm Brown and Keenan Anunay.

Virginia Episcopal (0-2) at Fuqua (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Coach’s game notes: The Falcons enter this game fairly healthy and with a good core group of players who understand the different defensive looks they will get from the Bishops. Fuqua quarterbacks Devin Allen and Billy French will make decisions between plays at the line of scrimmage, and this year’s team is able to check in and out of plays a lot easier than others.

The Bishops have a short quarterback who can throw well, connecting with a receiving corps that includes three players 6 feet or taller. They will be a threat if they can operate near the edges of the Falcons defense.

Nottoway (1-2) at Buckingham (0-3)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Buckingham 40, Nottoway 8

Coach’s game notes: The Knights are still working on having a good full week of practice, but they have made progress in their preparation for the Cougars, focusing on proper execution and fundamentals. After employing a power run game last week, the Knights will mix things up this week, taking what the Nottoway defense gives them.

When on defense, the Knights will need to contain three Cougar playmakers: sophomore quarterback Tyre Dalton, junior running back Jordan Coles and senior running back Nathaniel Dickens.

Cumberland (0-3) at King and Queen (0-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last season: Cumberland 39, King and Queen 0

Coach’s game notes: The Dukes have been addressing their deficiencies revealed last week and are making personnel and approach changes on the field as they gameplan for the struggling Royal Tigers. Offensively, the Dukes held open competition for positions this week. Senior Jamie Trent will be the starting tailback. Defensively, some players are moving around to account for the absence of linebacker Raheem Rumsey, who is out with a concussion.

Treating the game as a must-win, the Dukes will seek to limit the Royal Tigers’ pistol spread offense, which is primarily designed to create running opportunities.