THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9511010174
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 128 lines
Lakeland and Nansemond River have started to grab momentum going into the last few weeks of the football season. The Cavaliers (5-3 overall, 4-1 Bay Rivers) have averaged more than 40 points a game in winning four straight, while the Warriors (5-3, 4-1) have won three of four.
``We've made some big plays,'' Lakeland coach Ed Smither said. ``We've been winning up front and not making a lot of mistakes. If we've made one mistake the other team has made two or three so we've been fortunate.''
Offense has been the difference for Nansemond River, according to coach Jerry Varacallo.
``Our offense is starting to do the things they're supposed to,'' he said. ``Our inexperienced guys have gained experience and we're learning that mistakes kill you if you let them get to you.''
The Warriors will host Bruton (5-3, 3-2) on Friday, while the Cavaliers travel to Bailey Field in Yorktown on Saturday to face York (5-2, 3-2).
Southampton Academy (8-1) begins postseason play when it hosts Wilson Christian (7-2) in a Colonial Carolina Conference tournament semifinal.
A look at this week's games:
Lakeland vs. York
Date: Nov. 4
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Bailey Field in Yorktown
Records: Lakeland (5-3, 4-1); York (5-3, 3-2)
Last year's result: Lakeland won 15-3
Outlook: The key could be Cavalier running back Reginald Wiggins' status. Smither said the senior is ``very questionable'' after bruising his shoulder in last week's 42-14 win over Bruton. Without Wiggins, whose 126 yards last week gave him his third straight 1,000-yard season, the Cavaliers' offensive punch is limited. In a 13-7 loss to Nansemond River last week the Falcons' hopes were dashed when running back Bryan Smiley dropped a long pass inside the Warriors' 20-yard line. York has lost four straight to the Cavaliers.
The pick: Lakeland 22, York 13. It's closer without Wiggins.
Nansemond River vs. Bruton
Date: Nov. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Nansemond River
Records: Nansemond River (5-3, 4-1); Bruton (5-3, 3-2)
Last year's result: Nansemond River won 32-0
Outlook: Warrior running back Clarence Skinner probably can't wait to face the Panthers, who gave up 427 yards rushing to Lakeland last week and 347 against Southampton two weeks ago. Skinner rushed for 166 yards and returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown against York. Nansemond River's defense will have to stop Jermaine Burke, who was held to 75 yards on 15 carries against Lakeland.
The pick: Nansemond River 20, Bruton 6. Sets up a showdown for second place at Lakeland next week.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy vs. Greenbrier Christian
Date: Nov. 2
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Greenbrier Christian
Records: Nansemond-Suffolk (2-7 overall, 2-1 TCIS); Greenbrier Christian (3-5, 2-1)
Last year's result: Nansemond-Suffolk won 30-19
Outlook: The winner will take over second place in the district behind Norfolk Academy. The Saints are coming off a disappointing performance against Northampton. N-SA was held to minus 22 yards rushing and just 48 yards total offense in a 33-0 loss. The Gators have lost four of their last five and are without starting quarterback Tommy Keiper, whose season ended after he suffered a lacerated liver in a game two weeks ago.
The pick: Nansemond-Suffolk 14, Greenbrier Christian 8. Saints pull it out as time expires.
Southampton vs. Smithfield
Date: Nov. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Southampton
Records: Southampton (8-0 overall, 5-0 Bay Rivers); Smithfield (2-6, 1-4)
Last year's result: Southampton won 48-2
Outlook: The Packers scored their season-high last week in a 33-28 win over Franklin, but don't expect a repeat against the Indians, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Group AA poll. Southampton fullback William Brown, who rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries in a 28-0 win over Poquoson, should have his way against a Packer defense that has given up an average of 34 points per district game.
The pick: Southampton 46, Smithfield 6. Lock of the week.
Franklin vs. Poquoson
Date: Nov. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Franklin
Records: Franklin (0-8 overall, 0-5 Bay Rivers); Poquoson (2-6, 0-5)
Last year's result: Poquoson won 16-6
Outlook: This is Franklin's last chance for a win with Southampton waiting for the Broncos next week. In the loss to Smithfield, Franklin failed on a last-minute bomb from quarterback Lamont Hill, who had scoring strikes of 24 and 49 yards. The Islanders' defense will have to prevent Franklin's Carlandous Banks from getting the ball.
The pick: Poquoson 29, Franklin 26. Broncos lose another tight one.
Windsor vs. Essex
Date: Nov. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Essex
Records: Windsor (6-2); Essex (2-6)
Last year's result: Windsor won 28-7
Outlook: Windsor running back Wayne Briggs has been held to under 100 yards in the Dukes' last two games - both losses. Windsor will need him to bounce back. The Trojans have struggled moving the ball this season and lost to Rappahannock 16-12 last week.
The pick: Windsor 33, Essex 12. The Dukes end their two-game slide.
Southampton Academy vs. Wilson Christian
Date: Nov. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Southampton Academy
Records: Southampton (8-1); Wilson 7-2
Earlier this year: Southampton won 40-22
Outlook: The top-seeded Raiders haven't given up a point in four games at home. The Chargers are one of three teams that tied for second in the conference. Southampton Academy's Brian Hobbs broke open the teams' first meeting this season with touchdown runs of 41 and 73 yards in the opening quarter. Hobbs leads the Raiders with 1,522 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The pick: Southampton Academy 46, Wilson Christian 14. A team finally scores on the Raiders at home.
Last week: 8-0
Overall: 46-6
Best pick: Southampton Academy 26, Lawrence Academy 0; Southampton Academy won 30-0.
Worst pick: none by CNB