Warwick running back Cardon Johnson has had an up and down kind of season. His Raider team has had some hard knocks, falling out of playoff contention early. They’ll miss the playoffs this year for the first time in six years. Johnson has missed a few games as well. When he’s been in, he’s been productive. The season is winding down and it’s almost time for him to look ahead to getting well and playing college ball.
Last year at this time, Lafayette and York squared off in a heated battle between two undefeated teams. The matchup was everything it was billed to be as York, led by quarterback Alex Johnston, came back from three scores down in the fourth quarter to defeat the Rams with a daring two-point conversion in the final minute. Could tonight’s game match that drama?
The playoff picture is getting clearer as we enter the final weeks of the season. There are still some big games on the docket, which gives a few teams a last chance to settle their playoff opportunities.
In Region I, where the Bay Rivers teams compete, it looks like Division 4 will be extremely competitive for the last few teams looking to get into the postseason while in Division 3, there are easy playoff positions to be had as long as someone wins a game. It’s entirely possible that a playoff team or two could get into the postseason with a losing record in Division 3.
ODU Football is heading into a year of limbo. The Monarchs are ready to enter a two-year period of transition from Division I FCS football to Division I FBS; giving them bowl eligibility at the highest level of college football. In 2014, they have a nearly full slate of games already since they’re going to play a Conference USA schedule, without being eligible for the league title. The 2013 schedule is still up in the air, but it’s starting to come together.
After every team has played eight games out of their ten for the regular season, it’s pretty clear who’s in and who’s out. There is still a lot of seeding that’s yet to be determined, but a lot of teams have been mathematically eliminated from contention.
Ocean Lakes Coach Chris Scott just got another player connected with his college destination. Dolphin defensive back Treavonne Brandon made his college decision on Friday, just prior to his team’s 65-0 victory over Kempsville.
This week’s Freedom Ford Player of the Week is Western Branch senior running back Josh Marriner. Last Friday night, Marriner had another stellar performance in a win over Nansemond River, keeping him at the top of the rankings among rushing yardage leaders in Southside Hampton Roads.
The showdown between Norfolk unbeatens was everything it was billed to be. Two 7-0 teams from the Eastern District met at Powhatan Field on Saturday afternoon on a perfect day for football. The stands were packed and every fan got their money’s worth.
The season is winding down and the cream has risen to the top in the Beach District. Ocean Lakes won easily, Salem dispatched Kellam, and Bayside had no problems with Princess Anne.