Tidewater Predictions - Week 4 Matchups (9-18-25 thru 9-20-25)
The past week saw a triple-overtime classic for the reigning two-time Class 5 State Champs, the defending Class 4 State Champs increasing their win streaks (50 in terms of games and 67 within the district), and lots of blowouts by running clock margins in between.
What’s on deck this week include a couple of Southeastern District matchups of note with Indian River traveling to reigning Class 6 State Champ Oscar Smith in Chesapeake, while Western Branch hosts Nansemond River in a battle of unbeaten squads. Meanwhile, the Beach District features a pivotal tilt as Bayside tries to stay above the .500 mark and knock Salem from the ranks of the undefeated teams, a number that dwindles by the week in Hampton Roads as well as all over the Commonwealth.
Before we jump to this week’s Picks, let’s get caught up on the season standings in the predictions battle, which now includes the Massey Computer Ratings competing with us on almost every game . . .
High School Football Predictions Battle: 2025 Totals
Coach Ed Young – 61-10 (85.9%)
Massey Ratings – 58-11 (84.1%)
Matthew Hatfield – 57-14 (80.3%)
Massey’s Ratings had the best showing last week in going 21-2, only missing on Norview’s 26-6 triumph over Norview and Tallwood’s 25-7 victory over Ocean Lakes.
Young and Hatfield each went 20-3. Matt missed on those same two as Massey along with Kecoughtan beating Heritage 34-12. Ed missed on the Heritage/Kecoughtan matchup as well as Kempsville beating Bayside 37-20.
* See Last Week’s Tidewater Predictions Here *
Thursday’s Action for 9/18/25:
Hampton (2-0) at Woodside (1-1) . . . After accounting for 23 touchdowns as a sophomore with 17 through the air and six rushing, Crabbers Class of 2027 QB Marcus Chapman is well on his way to exceeding those totals this year, perhaps well before November even arrives. Chapman followed up a sizzling showing where he connected on14 of 25 passes for 255 yards and two scores to go with 186 yards rushing and 3 TD’s on 13 attempts in a 40-34 road win at Lake Taylor by tossing three more TD passes in a 60-7 thumping of Menchville. Two of those scores vs. the Monarchs were hauled in by Davion Perry.
Woodside’s passing game struggled – just 2 of 12 for 50 yards with an interception – in last week’s 26-6 loss to Norview, so they will need to be more balanced offensively and keep Chapman contained in the pocket to have a shot in this one. The Wolverines dropped a 25-19 battle in double-overtime to Hampton last season.
Matt Hatfield Says – Hampton 35-7
Coach Ed Young Says – Hampton 28-12
Massey Says – Hampton 36-14
Kecoughtan (2-1) at Phoebus (1-0) . . . Winners now of 50 consecutive games, the reigning four-time State Champion Phantoms cruised past Denbigh, 49-7, in the opener. Tyree Diggs had himself a strong night, carrying the ball 14 times for 150 yards and finding the end zone on three occasions. Kecoughtan is feeling good about itself at 2-1 overall, recovering from a 41-0 loss to Meadowbrook with a 34-12 rout of Heritage. Freshman QB Zi’Yon Phillips connected on 12 of 19 passes for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns to go with 46 yards rushing. Sophomore FS Braden Stephens made eight tackles and two interceptions on defense.
Kecoughtan’s last win over Phoebus came in 2014 by a count of 26-16. Phoebus had won 17 straight in the series prior to that and have now prevailed in ten straight entering this matchup. Unless the Warriors get a consistent pass rush on unflappable Phantoms junior QB Maurikus Banks, this figures to be a one-sided affair.
Matt Hatfield Says – Phoebus 55-7
Coach Ed Young Says – Phoebus 43-0
Massey Says – Phoebus 43-0
Bruton (0-2) at Lafayette (3-0) . . . As Head Coach of the Rams, Andy Linn is a perfect 9-0 against Bruton. Their last encounter came in 2019 when Lafayette rolled 83-0. Bruton has yet to score this season, getting outscored a combined 79-0 by Tabb and Smithfield. That’s not a good omen taking on a Rams team that, despite some injuries on both sides of the ball, has solidly outscored its first three Bay Rivers District foes by more than 25 points per contest. The running of Breon Stokes and Josh Simpson, a duo that has combined for 548 yards and 5 TD’s on the ground so far, should set the tone in this one.
Matt Hatfield Says – Lafayette 56-6
Coach Ed Young Says – Lafayette 44-6
Massey Says – Lafayette 42-0
New Kent (1-2) at Tabb (2-1) . . . Junior receiver Solomon Limehouse was impressive in a 21-10 loss to Poquoson for the Tigers, hauling in six passes for 120 yards and a score. His team led 10-7 at the break before the Islanders made some corrections on defense and kept them off the scoreboard over the final two quarters. Allowing 18.7 points per game through three contests, the New Kent defense is not quite as stingy as Poquoson’s. That being said, senior outside linebacker Chase Wiles has been in on 42 total tackles and is one of five different Trojans to cause a fumble so far defensively. Tabb leads the all-time series 17-9, though they are 3-3 against each other over the past six meetings where only once has the final margin been greater than 14 points during that stretch.
Matt Hatfield Says – Tabb 26-13
Coach Ed Young Says – Tabb 21-18
Massey Says – Tabb 27-14
*** Check back later for the Friday and Saturday Picks with breaekdowns! ***
Matthew Hatfield has served as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com since 2016 and been writing for the web site under the Rivals umbrella dating back to 2004. Matthew also has served as the Play-by-Play Voice for Old Dominion Women’s Basketball since 2021. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates. To contact Matthew, please e-mail [email protected], and be sure to Subscribe to CoVA Sports TV, where you can watch and hear his Podcasts.