THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409080162
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN GORDON, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
THE BIGGIE FOOTBALL battle this week will be the contest between Lakeland and Nansemond River, and it will be played at Lakeland.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy also is at home against the Poquoson Islanders, and the Franklin Broncos play host to Greensville County. Smithfield travels to Surry County, Southampton goes to Brunswick and Isle of Wight Academy will visit Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake.
Windsor is idle this week, and Southampton Academy will play at Lawrence in an eight-man football game.
Nansemond River and Lakeland have played twice each season since the schools opened in 1990, and Nansemond River holds a commanding 6-2 lead in the young series, including the last five straight.
The Warriors won the first game, 17-14, in 1990, but lost the next two. Since then, it has been downhill for Lakeland. In fact, the Warriors have outscored Lakeland, 119-6, in the last five outings.
Some fans have suggested that the first game be called the Peanut Bowl since it does not count in the Bay Rivers District standings and because it is near the annual Peanut Fest. Others have mentioned that another major industry here, Lipton Tea, could donate a Lipton Tea Cup to the winning school.
THE RIVER vs. LAKELAND
Date: Friday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Lakeland High's Cavalier Park
Records: Lakeland (0-0); Nansemond River (0-0).
Last year's result: Nansemond River won both games, 6-0 and 33-6.
Outlook: This week's game doesn't count in the Bay Rivers District standings, but it definitely counts toward bragging rights until the two teams meet again Nov. 11 in a rematch - a game that does count in the district race. Nansemond River, which tied for the district title last year with a 11-3, 6-1 record, is the coaches' consensus to place second this season. Lakeland, 4-7 and 3-4 in 1993, is predicted to take third this campaign.
FRANKLIN vs. GREENSVILLE
Date: Friday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Armory Field
Records: Franklin (0-1); Greensville County (1-0).
Last year's result: Did not play.
Outlook: Franklin fell to Northampton, 24-6, in the season opener last Friday while Greensville County smacked Smithfield, 22-6. Greensville County of Emporia plays in the Southside District.
SOUTHAMPTON vs. BRUNSWICK
Date: Friday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Brunswick's stadium in Lawrenceville
Records: Southampton (0-0); Brunswick (1-1).
Last year's result: Brunswick won, 26-6.
Outlook: This is Southampton's season opener and the Indians have to go on the road against a team that soundly defeated them last season and already has a victory under its belt this campaign. Brunswick's Bulldogs edged Chatham of the Group A Piedmont District, 22-20, last week, after falling to Broadwater Academy in their opener.
SMITHFIELD vs. SURRY COUNTY
Date: Friday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Surry County High
Records: Smithfield (0-1); Surry County (1-0).
Last year's result: Smithfield won, 44-0
Outlook: Although the Packers shut out Surry County last year, coach Miles Blount has only four returning starters this season. Evidence that this is a rebuilding year at Smithfield was laid out in Greensville County last Friday when the host Eagles bombed Smithfield, 22-6. Meanwhile, Surry County trimmed Prince Edward County, 31-20, last week.
POQUOSON vs. N-SA
Date: Friday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: N-SA's Art Jones Stadium
Records: Poquoson (0-0); N-SA (0-1).
Last year's result: Poquoson won, 9-8
Outlook: Coach Terry Crigger's Saints will be looking for revenge against the Islanders after last year's narrow loss. Although this will be the first game under a new coach for Poquoson, Nansemond-Suffolk will be trying to bounce back from a devastating 35-6 loss to Atlantic Shores, a team that didn't even field a varsity football team last season.
IWA vs. GREENBRIER
Date: Friday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Greenbrier Christian Academy, Chesapeake
Records: Isle of Wight (0-2); Greenbrier Christian (0-2)
Last year's result: Isle of Wight won, 20-14
Outlook: This is a battle between a pair winless teams. IOW's Chargers lost to Atlantic Shores, 20-13, in the season opener, and then dropped a 42-20 tilt to Kenston Forest in the academy's home opener last Friday night. Meanwhile, Greenbrier Christian, which was blanked by Fuqua, 22-0, in the Gators first game, squandered a 14-0 lead and lost, 29-21, to Benedictine last week. by CNB