Clash of state champions
Maury quarterback EJ Gibson, pictured throwing under pressure from Lake Taylor’s Ikeem Wright in 2019, will be one of the players to watch tonight when the Commodores and Titans meet at Lake Taylor. Maury ranks second in Hampton Roads, while Lake Taylor is third. For a preview of this week’s games,
Before the 2019 season, Lake Taylor had won at least a share of the past eight Eastern District titles.
Maury, however, shook things up last season when the Commodores ended the Titans’ streak.
That’s what makes tonight’s game at Lake Taylor so intriguing.
Both teams are defending state champions, with Maury winning the Class 5 title and Lake Taylor the Class 4 title.
The Commodores, ranked second in Hampton Roads, want to keep the title.
But the third-ranked Titans have other motives. They haven’t forgotten the 49-7 loss to Maury last season.
“We kind of got embarrassed as far as our expectations for the program,” said Lake Taylor coach Hank Sawyer. “We’re not used to that, so the kids want to get back out there and show that what we did last year is not indicative of us.”
The Titans, who beat Granby 53-6 in their season opener, are led by QB/DB Jeff Foster, WR/ DB Pierre Royster and WR/LB Darious Speight.
Maury coach Dyrri McCain knows Sawyer and the Titans will be ready for the rematch.
“I say it all the time, I don’t think enough people give him his just do,” McCain said about Sawyer. “If you ask my opinion, he’s a legend. He’s probably the best coach in the area based on his résumé. I know he’s going to have his guys ready. They’re always tough guys. They were state champions for a reason.”
The Commodores rolled to a 32-8 win over Booker T. Washington in their season opener. They amassed 300 yards of offense with quarterbacks Ahmarian Granger and EJ Gibson splitting time. Running back Demonte Dunlap, a Norcom transfer, rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns in his debut. Senior WR/DB Da’Jon Evans also played well with a touchdown reception and four tackles.
Larry Rubama’s prediction: Lake Taylor 27-26.
Marty O’Brien’s prediction: Maury 28-21.
TODAY
All games at 7 p.m. at the home school unless noted.
Top 15
Western Branch (1-1) at No. 1 Oscar Smith (1-0)
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Buzz: Western Branch coach Rashad Cook got his first win of the season last week when the Bruins bounced back from a loss to Great Bridge on Monday to beat Hickory on Friday. But they face a huge challenge this week against top-ranked Oscar Smith. Kevon King scored four touchdowns and Ethan Vasko ran for two and passed for another as the Tigers beat Hickory in the season opener. The Tigers were supposed to play Great Bridge on Saturday, but that game was canceled because of COVID-19.
Larry: Oscar Smith 42-13. Marty: Oscar Smith 37-6.
No. 5 Salem (1-0) at Tallwood (0-1)
Buzz: Salem’s defense turned back Princess Anne’s offense several times to escape with an overtime victory. They were led by Zemarion Harrell, Donte Ponder, Keimar Carter-Gatlin and Desmond Green, who combined for 37 tackles. Offensively, Salem quarterback Saquan Miles, who
improved to 14-1 as a starter, scored two touchdowns, including a 10-yard run in overtime. Tallwood failed to score in a loss to Landstown in the season opener. Larry: Salem 26-0.
Marty: Salem 24-3.
No. 6 Ocean Lakes (1-0) vs. No. 15 Landstown (1-0)
Site: Virginia Beach Sportsplex Buzz: Dolphins running back Carlton Winston III will play against his former team. Backup QB Landon Spell led the Dolphins last week, throwing for two touchdowns to beat Kellam. Landstown RB Alojah Douglas rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Eagles got big games from Tyquan Johnson (12 tackles), Iosefa Tanoai (six tackles, four sacks) and Denzel Lowry (six tackles).
Larry: Ocean Lakes 27-21. Marty: Ocean Lakes 14-7.
Jamestown (0-1) vs. No. 9 Lafayette (1-0)
Site: Wanner Stadium
Buzz: Jamestown showed lots of pluck before tiring late in its loss to New Kent, but will be overmatched against Lafayette. The Rams played well against Tabb, the highlight being Luke Hanson’s seven completions to Donald Gatling for 155 yards and two TDs and 218 yards passing overall. The Rams would like to improve on their 113 rushing yards and on their seven fumbles, three of which were lost.
Larry: Lafayette 35-0.
Marty: Lafayette 42-0.
No. 10 Indian River (0-1) at Grassfield (0-1)
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Buzz: Both teams are coming off losses to Deep Creek. Indian River blew a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter. The Braves can’t afford another loss if they hope to make the playoffs. Grassfield looks to bounce back from a 14-6 setback to Deep Creek.
Larry: I. River 26-20.
Marty: I. River 21-13.
No. 12 Churchland (1-0) vs. Norcom (1-0)
Site: Powhatan Field
Buzz: The battle of Portsmouth has been moved to Norfolk and artificial turf. The Truckers edged Norview 6-0 in the season opener, but they’re going to need to score more to compete with Norcom, which beat Wilson 38-0. The Greyhounds were led by brothers Jaron and Jaden Ratliff. Jaron returned an interception 24 yards for a score, and Jaden rushed for a touchdown. Marquise Johnson also returned an interception for a score and Darian King rushed for 156 yards and a TD.
Larry: Norcom 24-16. Marty: Churchland 21-20.
Kempsville (0-1) vs.
No. 14 Green Run (0-0)
Site: Kellam High
Buzz: The Stallions can’t wait to get started after a bye last week. They are led by WR Tayon Holloway, a North Carolina commit. Defensively, teams will have problems trying to run away from LB Javon Hill, DL Malik Mason and DE George Wilson, a Florida State signee. Kempsville is coming off a 24-0 loss to Cox in a season opener. The Chiefs were led by Jaylon White, who had nine tackles — two for loss.
Larry: Green Run 38-6. Marty: Green Run 42-0.
Bay Rivers District
Tabb (0-1) vs. Grafton (0-1)
Site: Bailey Field
Buzz: Despite losing 41-6, Grafton rebounded nicely to play York’s starters evenly in the second half last week. Tabb had plenty of good moments defensively in a 35-7 loss to Lafayette and showed glimpses of a potentially potent power rushing attack led by RBs Corey Kidwell and Xavier Martin.
Larry: Tabb 28-13.
Marty: Tabb 35-14.
Warhill (1-0) at New Kent (1-0)
Buzz: Look for this one to be run-dominated and low-scoring. Both enter off of shutout victories — Warhill beat Bruton 49-0 and New Kent defeated Jamestown 23-0. The Lions’ Shaheim Taylor (148 yards rushing, two TDs) played well in his high school debut at QB after Ayden Rochard was lost for the season to a knee injury in practice.
Larry: Warhill 27-20.
Marty: Warhill 17-14.
York (1-0) at Smithfield (0-0)
Buzz: Look for Navy-bound Chris Gundy, an athletic and elusive senior, to get many of the touches for a Smithfield team improved from last year’s 3-7 group. But York, a mixture of young talent and steady veterans, like WR/LB Kase Butler, got a game under its belt last week, while Smithfield’s contest with Poquoson was canceled, and that will be an advantage for the Falcons.
Larry: York 34-14.
Marty: York 24-14.
Beach District
Bayside (1-0) at Cox (1-0)
Buzz: Both teams cruised to victories in their season openers. The Marlins beat First Colonial 46-6, while the Falcons beat
Kempsville 24-0. Bayside was led by RB Aeron Williams, who rushed for 110 yards and two TDs. Cox QB Dylan Hauser rushed for one score and threw for another. The Falcons have won the past three meetings and eight of the past nine.
Larry: Bayside 27-24.
Marty: Cox 28-20.
Eastern District
Norview (0-1) at Wilson (0-1)
Buzz: Both teams are looking for their first win of the season and their first points. The Pilots lost to Churchland 6-0 in Ian Rapanick’s coaching debut. Wilson lost 38-0 to Norcom.
Larry: Norview 20-15.
Marty: Norview 19-6.
Peninsula District
Heritage (0-0) at Gloucester (0-0)
Buzz: New Hurricanes coach Scott Woodlief makes sort of a homecoming to Gloucester, a program he guided to a then-rare .500 mark 20 years ago. This year’s Gloucester team is not deep, but possesses the quality to achieve a second consecutive winning season, while Heritage is in full rebuilding mode.
Larry: Gloucester 26-13. Marty: Gloucester 21-7.
SATURDAY Beach District
First Colonial (0-1) vs. No. 11 Princess Anne (0-1) Time: 1 p.m.
Site: Kellam High
Buzz: The Cavaliers lost a tough one to Salem in overtime. They know they can’t lose again if they hope to make the playoffs. Princess Anne had many opportunities to score, but couldn’t capitalize. QB Ryan High and RB/WR Tychaun Chapman look to change that this week against First Colonial, which lost to Bayside 46-6 in a season opener. Defensively, the Patriots are led by Miguel Rijo and Hunter Sherman, who finished with 10 and nine tackles, respectively. Larry: Princess Anne 34-12. Marty: Princess Anne 38-7.
Peninsula District
No. 4 Phoebus (0-0) vs. Denbigh (0-0)
Time: Noon
Site: Todd Stadium
Buzz: This game was moved up from April when both of their opponents went into COVID quarantine last week. It will be interesting to see how Phoebus quarterbacks Mark Wagner and David Cousins perform after Chris Daniels took every meaningful snap the past three seasons. Denbigh’s standout is TE/LB Andre Brown, who starred in a win over Bethel last year that snapped a 33-game losing streak. Larry: Phoebus 41-6.
Marty: Phoebus 48-6.
Menchville (0-0) vs. Bethel (0-0)
Time: 1 p.m.
Site: Darling Stadium
Buzz: This game features two of the district’s best players in Menchvile RB Geo Hales (1,450 rushing yards) and explosive Bethel TE Isaiah Smith. Execution and turnovers could decide what appears to be an even matchup.
Larry: Bethel 20-16.
Marty: Menchville 28-27.
How they fared
Marty O’Brien: 14-1 last week, 14-1 overall (93.3%)
Larry Rubama: 14-1 last week, 14-1 overall (93.3%)