Channel 8's story:
http://wric.com/2016/10/07/8sportsblitz-rivalry-of-the-week-louisa-and-powhatan/
And Scrimmage Play's preview
Louisa County (5-0) at Powhatan (5-0)
The basics: This is the the moment of truth. Both teams have been tested in their out-of-district schedule. The Lions still have Orange County which could be a close game. The Indians still have Albemarle which could be a close game. Both squads still have Charlottesville on the schedule soon, again another close game. But none of those teams quite pose the threat that they do to each other right now. It’s the second-ranked Lions in Region 4A East hitting the road to face the fourth ranked Indians. Louisa is coming off a drubbing of Fluvanna County while Powhatan handled Western Albemarle. The winner here is on a fast track to potentially come out with the top seed in Region 4A East. This is going to be a battle.
Key matchup: Powhatan running backs Justin Deleon and Cody Lewis against the Lions 3-5-3 look. So with Quinton Ragland and Tony Thurston up front on the defensive line, the Lions have a lot of ways to use their bevy of linebackers. Deleon and Lewis have to run hard and make this linebacking corps miss. This is strength on strength and the Indians have to win this battle. Louisa’s defense has shown it can be flexible in so many ways and how they decide to attack this Powhatan defense is going to be different from the game films from Sherando, Courtland, King George or Albemarle. So it’s going to come down to Deleon and Lewis moving the chains and most importantly, not coughing up the football against an aggresive defense.
Who to watch: Louisa running back Job Whalen. While the Lions have featured Malik Bell, Whalen and Raquan Jones in a mixture up front, don’t be surprised if they unleash Whalen here for a 30-some carry game like we saw in week two against Courtland. If he’s successful initially it’s going to set up Bell to be the hammer that he is and then the Lions’ passing game to find Jordan Cherry and company for those dagger type plays.
The line: Louisa by 4. The Lions have the physical advantage on offense and defense, but have to avoid a slow start.