THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511080184
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 29 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 118 lines
Anytime the Nansemond River and Lakeland football teams play, it's big. But Friday's game at 7:30 at Lakeland means more than city bragging rights.
The Cavaliers and Warriors are both 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the Bay Rivers and this week's winner will take over second place in the district and likely be the top seed in the Division 4 playoffs.
``It has to be the biggest,'' Lakeland coach Ed Smither said. ``You need to win to have that home field advantage in the playoffs if you keep winning.''
Nansemond River and Lakeland could meet in the first round of the playoffs, depending on the outcomes of games involving Greensville County and York.
``It's never happened,'' Smither said of a possible third meeting between the two Suffolk schools. ``You don't want to play anybody three times. It's tough enough as it is playing them twice a year.''
In playoff action this week, Southampton Academy (9-1) hosts Wake Christian (8-2) in the Colonial Carolina Conference championship, while Isle of Wight (4-6) takes on Quantico (9-1) in the Virginia Independent Schools Football Association Division I tournament.
A look at this week's games:
Nansemond River vs. Lakeland
Date: Nov. 10
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Lakeland
Records: Lakeland (6-3 overall, 5-1 Bay Rivers); Nansemond River (6-3 , 5-1)
Earlier this season: Lakeland won 21-14
Outlook: The Cavaliers' win earlier this season was the first in their last seven tries against the Warriors. Before that, Nansemond River had outscored Lakeland 152-12. The revenge factor this time could be in favor of the Warriors, who lost after a blocked field goal was returned for a touchdown in the season opener. The key will be defense. Nansemond River will have to stop, or at least contain, Reginald Wiggins, who scored three touchdowns and gained 144 yards in a 48-10 rout of York last week.
The pick: Lakeland 28, Nansemond River 23. The Cavaliers' win two straight for the first time against the Warriors.
Southampton vs. Franklin
Date: Nov. 10
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Franklin
Records: Southampton (9-0 overall, 6-0 Bay Rivers); Franklin (0-9, 0-6)
Last year's result: Southampton won 34-14
Outlook: Not the best way to end a dismal season for the Broncos. The Indians remained No. 1 in the Virginia Group AA poll after a 35-15 win over Smithfield last week. Rico Ivey scored three touchdowns and rushed for 145 yards on 16 carries. The Broncos can take some consolation in that Smithfield led Southampton 15-14 at halftime.
The pick: Southampton 44, Franklin 6. The season finally ends for the Broncos.
Smithfield vs. Poquoson
Date: Nov. 10
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Poquoson
Records: Smithfield (2-7 overall, 1-5 Bay Rivers); Poquoson (3-6, 1-5)
Last year's result: Poquoson won 33-14
Outlook: The Packers gained a surprising 244 yards rushing against Southampton last week. They'll need another performance like that to top the Islanders, who blanked Franklin 29-0. Smithfield beat the Broncos 33-28 two weeks ago.
The pick: Poquoson 30, Smithfield 28. Flipped a coin.
Windsor vs. New Kent
Date: Nov. 10
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Windsor
Records: Windsor (7-2 overall, 1-2 Tri-Rivers); New Kent (6-3, 2-1)
Last year's result: New Kent won 12-8
Outlook: Both teams have already clinched a berth in the Division I playoffs. The Trojans are coming off a huge upset of Sussex Central, which was ranked No. 2 in the Virginia Group A poll. New Kent has been hard to figure this year. It lost 58-0 two weeks ago to Surry. Windsor's Wayne Briggs got back on track after two off weeks with 279 yards on 19 carries in a 43-0 win over Essex.
The pick: Windsor 22, New Kent 16. The Dukes need momentum for the playoffs.
Southampton Academy vs. Wake Christian Academy
Date: Nov. 10
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Southampton Academy
Records: Southampton (9-1); Wake Christian (8-2)
Earlier this season: Southampton Academy won 26-20
Outlook: The Raiders, participating in their first postseason tournament, are playing for the Colonial Carolina Conference title - the eight-man football state championship for North Carolina. They'll have to play better than last week's 22-14 win over Wilson Christian. Southampton Academy trailed 14-0 at halftime in what coach Dale Marks called their ``poorest tackling half of the year.''
The pick: Southampton Academy 38, Wake Christian 20. Virginia's only eight-man team wins North Carolina's state championship.
Isle of Wight Academy vs. Quantico
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Site: Quantico
Records: Isle of Wight (4-6); Quantico (9-1)
Last year's meeting: First game ever between the two schools.
Outlook: The seventh-seeded Chargers are big underdogs against the No. 2 Warriors in the opening round of the VISFA Division I tournament. Isle of Wight coach Dale Chapman said his team seemed rejuvenated Monday after not practicing for a week while waiting for a playoff spot. The Chargers need their defense to have a big game against Quantico's powerful running attack to pull an upset.
The pick: Quantico 38, Isle of Wight 12. The Chargers get some valuable playoff experience.
Last week: 7-0
Overall: 53-6
Best pick: Nansemond-Suffolk 14, Greenbrier Christian 8; The Saints won 14-0
Worst pick: None by CNB