Central Region GameDay - Week 3

Game of the Week

#3 Dinwiddie (2-0) at #4 Highland Springs (1-1)

Springers are 4-0 all-time versus the Generals.
Last two meetings have been decided by 4 or fewer points.

Airport Drive… Friday night… where else would you want to be?

Two of the heavyweight programs of the Central Region collide for the first time since 2012. At that time, neither team had won a state title. Since that time the Springers, have 5 and the Generals have 2. There could have been more if we are being honest. In 2021 and 2023 the Springers came up short by 8 points or less. In 2016 Dinwiddie came up short by 8. These two programs are not just heavyweights in our region, they are heavyweights in our state and they don’t back down from a challenge. They are a mirror image of their long-time coaches in tough, high expectations and no quite.

Those two coaches are not just two of the longest tenured coaches in the region outside of Tom Hall but they have combined over 400 wins! When I say it is a heavyweight matchup, I mean it. Coaches and program history can’t win you games with no disrespect to Mills and Johnson.

The Springers are riding the high of going toe-to-toe with a nationally ranked team and this is Dinwiddie’s first test of the season. Zion Boisseau has looked sensational through two games but the Springers will no doubt be the toughest defense he has seen yet and we will see just what this young man has. The Springer defense will bring it for sure. Antonie Richardson, J’Monte Archer & Devyn Simmons are stalwarts of the defense. The addition of Ladanian Brown who was one of the stud defenders for Matoaca last season just adds to the experience and athleticism Coach Simmons will have to work with.

Dinwiddie is said to have a good defense as well in 2025. Experience and off-season work has this defense primed to not see their season cut short like last. Robert Pettaway and Nyion Mason are familiar names and playmakers on defense. Jaevion Hill-Jackson is coming on strong making a name for himself at linebacker along with Gabriel Randall.

The battle for the win will be decided in the trenches; line versus line. Can Dinwiddie’s front seven get pressure on Richardson? Can they contain Eric Byrd? Vice versa, can the Springers make Zion uncomfortable and bring him back down to earth?

This will be a fun watch and a game you don’t want to miss.

Danny Lewis	Highland Springs 31, Dinwiddie 21
Jarred Jenkins	Highland Springs 35, Dinwiddie 21

5 Must See Matchups

Powhatan (2-0) at Midlothian (2-0)

Powhatan leads series 18-17-1.
Midlothian has won 2 of the last 3 meetings.

We find out which team is for real in this meeting. Is it a Powhatan Indians team who is undefeated under new HC George Bland? A team that is giving up an average of 8 points a game. If so it is going to be up to Ethan Garcia, James Hudson and Sahlomen Burton to stop the big play potential of QB Gibson Gross of Midlothian. Just as it will be the task of the Trojans defense to contain Elliott Murphy under center for Powhatan. Bryson Whitlow and Max Tanner lead the Trojans in tackles and are a force to be reckoned with. The Trojans have had the Indians number in recent season. That Trojan defense has given up just 3 points all season. Neither team has had a tough schedule so this is a test for both to see where they are.

Danny Lewis	Midlothian 24, Powhatan 16
Jarred Jenkins	Powhatan 24, Midlothian 21

Hanover (1-0) at Douglas Freeman (1-1)

Hanover owns series 2-0.
This will be the first meeting of the two programs at Freeman.

Will the third time be the charm for the Mavericks? They have the advantage of playing at home for the first time in the series but they will need more than that in this one. Hanover appeared to be a scoring machine with 51 points put on Monacan last week. Freeman’s defense has given up just an average of 17 points a game but last week their offense was the problem.

Freeman was held to just 3 points which is a bit ironic when you think about it. Going back to last season, in their last three games the Mavericks have been held to 3 points twice. The other team to do it was in the regular season finale last season and that would be the Hanover Hawks. In both cases, a strong run game that is Freeman’s signature was held in check. With Patrick Liptrack, Lane Zyglocke and JJ Parker leading the charge; this should not be a problem.

Danny Lewis	Hanover 42, Douglas Freeman 18
Jarred Jenkins	Hanover 17, Douglas Freeman 14

JR Tucker (2-0) at Mechanicsville (2-0)

Mechanicsville leads series 16-6-1.
JR Tucker’s last win in the series was 1981.

Not an attractive game looking at the record alone but someone is going to get their first win of the season. Sometimes games such as this prove to be quite good. Not to take anything from teams that win regularly but in moments like this, there is a desperation and pride on the line that can be unmatched. The atmosphere can be quite good as well, I think of a game between Tucker and Deep Run just a couple of years ago. In that contest you would never know the teams had a combined 2 wins. In this contest the teams are looking for just a win. Defense has appeared to be a problem for both as Tucker is giving up an average of 66 and Mechanicsville 36. Which team will take advantage of the opportunity before them?

Danny Lewis	Mechanicsville 42, JR Tucker 26
Jarred Jenkins	Mechanicsville 24, JR Tucker 13

#7 Armstrong (2-0) at Hertford-NC (2-1)

1st meeting of the two programs.
1st meeting out of state for Armstrong since 2023.

This is one of those games that could trip a team like Armstrong up. That is nothing against the Wildcats but you are coming of an emotional win over a rival. Not just a win over a rival but a win that took over 98 hours to complete. Quick turnaround and a 2-hour road trip ahead? Coach Pruitt and his staff will have to keep the Wildcats focused and not lose sight of the prize. The Wildcats have given up just 14 points this season. Their defense led by Ronald Jackson and Donzell Jones-Teal will be tasked with slowing down an offense averaging 22 points per game. I feel they have the defense to do just that.

Danny Lewis	Armstrong 24, Hertford-NC 13
Jarred Jenkins	Armstrong 28, Hertford-NC 17

Lake Taylor (1-1) at Deep Run (2-0)

1st meeting ever of these two programs.

This is the first big test for the Deep Run Wildcats, not just this season but of the Coach Mullinax era. The Wildcats have a bit of magic in their midst with that comeback a week ago. They will need some of that magic against a Lake Taylor team bringing it on offense. Even though the Titans lost last week, they still scored 34 points; this season they are averaging 46 points a game. To the Wildcats credit their defense is giving up an average of just 13 points a game. Bobby Nodar & Cullen Burch will have their hands full leading that defensive stand but if they can do it, Deep Run will have made a statement.

Danny Lewis	Lake Taylor 35, Deep Run 23
Jarred Jenkins	Deep Run 27, Lake Taylor 21

Upset Alert

Mills Godwin (1-1) at Atlee (0-2)

Atlee leads series 9-8.
Mills Godwin has won last two meetings at Atlee.

What are we talking about here? Would either of these teams winning really be an upset? The Eagles have had no trouble scoring this season but defensively the jury is still out. Atlee might not have the best defense either. The Raiders had a 17-7 lead over Deep Run going into the 4th quarter. Atlee had a 14-7 lead over Freeman going into halftime in the first game of the season. Is this the week Atlee puts it together?

Danny Lewis	Mills Godwin 31, Atlee 16
Jarred Jenkins	Mills Godwin 24, Atlee 13

Rest of Region

#2 Manchester (2-0) at James River (2-0)

Manchester leads series 28-4.
James River’s last win in series was 2009.

This is an interesting matchup. On the one hand one looks at this and says Manchester wins without question. That said, keep in mind Manchester needed some last second heroics to get past Glen Allen last week. On that same train of thought, James River need some late game heroics of their own to get past Cosby. Which one of these teams is for real? We find out in this meeting.

Danny Lewis	Manchester 38, James River 17
Jarred Jenkins	Manchester 31, James River 14

#9 Glen Allen (1-1) at Patrick Henry (0-2)

Series tied at 4 games a piece.
Patrick Henry’s last win in series was 2019.

The Jags were just seconds away from a 2-0 start last week. Glen Allen is a team equipped to make some noise and you can bet QB Ralphie Pucinelli will be looking to take advantage of a struggling Patriots defense. The question for the Patriots is how long will this slide continue?

Danny Lewis	Glen Allen 38, Patrick Henry 8
Jarred Jenkins	Glen Allen 28, Patrick Henry 17

#1 Varina (1-1) at IC Norcom (0-2)

Varina owns series 2-0.
Varina has scored 40+ points in both previous meetings.

Hell hath no fury like a Blue Devil scorned. Varina will make the trek to the 757 for the first time this season and they will be out to make a statement after a 1-point loss to Maury. It’s not the lost that hurts the most, it is the way they lost. The Greyhounds are getting the Blue Devils at the wrong time, plain and simple.

Danny Lewis	Varina 48, IC Norcom 7
Jarred Jenkins	Varina 45, IC Norcom 0

#10 Huguenot (0-1) at Clover Hill (0-1)

Clover Hill leads series 21-17.
Huguenot has won last two meetings.

Both teams have had two weeks to lament over the outcome of their first game of the season. The Cavaliers falling by 60 and the Falcons stunned by St. Christopher’s. I think it is safe to say the Falcons are more equipped to rebound given the amount of talent on that roster. The question is how ugly will this one get?

Danny Lewis	Huguenot 56, Clover Hill 6
Jarred Jenkins	Huguenot 56, Clover Hill 0

Monacan (0-2) at LC Bird (0-2)

LC Bird leads series 32-9.
Monacan’s last win in series was 2021.

This game will go a long way in telling us how much trouble LC Bird is in this season. Bird has not scored a point this season and Monacan has had trouble stopping teams from scoring. It seems like a recipe for a Skyhawks win but what if? What if Monacan somehow pulls this out? After never starting 0-3 in program history they have done so twice since 2021… is the third time about to happen?

Danny Lewis	LC Bird 20, Monacan 13
Jarred Jenkins	LC Bird 21, Monacan 7

Richmond (0-2) at Cosby (0-2)

Cosby owns series 17-0.
Richmond has never scored more than 18 points against the Titans.

The Bulldogs will be a gross underdog in this matchup despite the fact that Cosby is winless. The Titans have had some rough seasons in recent years but even in those years they beat the Bulldogs. The Titans nearly came away with a win last week. I don’t feel they let another opportunity get past them.

Danny Lewis	Cosby 37, Richmond 9
Jarred Jenkins	Cosby 28, Richmond 6

Petersburg (2-0) at Southampton (1-0)

Petersburg owns series 2-0.

One of three meetings of undefeated teams on the slate this week has the Wave making their first road trip of the season. Can you imagine Petersburg being 3-0 as they enter their district slate? The Jerome Mathis era of Petersburg football is off to a banging start. The Wave is averaging 39 points a game, if Southampton wants to beat the Wave they are going to need a better defensive plan than Norcom and Henrico had.

Danny Lewis	Petersburg 27, Southampton 16
Jarred Jenkins	Petersburg 28, Southampton 21

#8 Thomas Jefferson (1-1) at Amelia (1-1)

These two teams come into this one off different emotions following their second game of the season. The Vikings are coming off their first loss and the Raiders their first win. Good teams coming off a loss always come in angry. Daeron Ferguson and company will be ready to go and so will that that coaching staff led by Eric Harris.

Thomas Jefferson leads series 4-3.
TJ has won last 4 meetings.

Danny Lewis	Thomas Jefferson 33, Amelia 14
Jarred Jenkins	Thomas Jefferson 28, Amelia 10

Colonial Heights (0-2) at Nottoway (1-1)

The Colonials offense has mustered just two touchdowns all season through two games. Consider the fact that their two opponents are a combined 4-0 and it makes a little more sense. Nottoway is not 2-0 so this might be the Colonials best opportunity at a win this season with the district slate quickly coming.

Series tied at 2 games a piece.
Colonials have won last two meetings.

Danny Lewis	Colonial Heights 24, Nottoway 18
Jarred Jenkins	Colonial Heights 28, Nottoway 27

John Marshall (0-2) at Charlottesville (0-1)

Charlottesville owns series 5-1.
John Marshall’s only win in series was 1976.

One of four meetings featuring teams who are winless on this young season. The good news is that one of these teams will have their first win of the season. The bad news is that one of these teams will remain winless. Road trips are sweeter when you win and quiet when you don’t.

Danny Lewis	Charlottesville 27, John Marshall 13
Jarred Jenkins	John Marshall 20, Charlottesville 13

Footnote

Last week it was a dead heat tie with all 3 of us going 18-3. Still a lot to figure out but let’s see how we do this week. We differed on 8 games so someone should have an advantage… maybe.

Be sure to get your nominations in for Central Region Gamers following any game you attend. Have a strong argument for it be it a description of what they did or stats to back it up. You may DM or Tweet me @CRF4Dan or e-mail at [email protected] .