Week 9 Preview: Big Games.....

1) Hermitage (5-0, 6-2) at Deep Run (5-0, 8-0)----gonna be a big weekend in Twin Hickory. Saturday night, Governor Sarah Palin will hold a rally on this final weekend of campaigning, and there's this little football game going on the night before. As much as my son (a Hermitage junior) would want me to pick the Panthers, I just can't do it. For part of this season, it can be argued Deep Run, and not Varina, should have been ranked #1 in the Central Region. Two factors give Deep Run the edge for the moment.....

---Antone Exum: he almost guarantees a special teams touchdown in a game when he steps on the field. He's also led DR over Hanover on the road.
---Home Field: there's nothing like being on the home field. Even better, it's great not to be in Chester Fritz Stadium, one of the more unique home football settings in the Central Region.

My gut says: Deep Run 27, Hermitage 20, with the winning TD in the final eight minutes.

2) Clover Hill (4-2, 6-2) at Cosby (4-2, 5-3)---Two factors come into play in this major Dominion District battle.....

---Home Field: Advantage, Cosby. That helps, plus they are looking for revenge after losing to CH last season. BUT......Cosby is coming to the end of a grueling schedule, having played the following four teams in the past five games (no disrespect to George Wythe.....)

Monacan, Manchester, Hanover, and L.C. Bird. They only defeated Monacan. So, they come into the game having lost three of four.......

Which brings us to:

---Last Friday night. While Cosby went toe to toe against Bird, Clover Hill had the night off. A rare bye week, especially this late. A time to rest some bumps and bruises. Will that help? Can't hurt. But it's up to them to have had TWO good weeks of practices to keep them in late season form.

My gut says: Cosby takes it, 28-21.

3) Hanover (2-2, 5-3) at Lee-Davis (2-2, 3-5): PH fans better (gulp!) root for Lee Davis on THEIR Senior Night, too! The Patriots are on the outside of the playoffs looking in and need help on top of having to beat Mills Godwin and Hermitage. Their best chances right now are Clover Hill knocking off Cosby and, yes, Lee-Davis finally coming through at home for a signature win.

The Confederates have shown propensity for intense and great play, they have fallen short in every game played against a tougher opponent. In my opinion, this is their last chance, as Atlee does not play on Lee-Davis' level. But for all that "moral victory" stuff, they could finish a seven-game home schedule (thanks to the Tomato Bowl moving to Mechanicsville for their 50th anniversary) with a record of:

2-5.

With wins over only Armstrong and Henrico. Losing to Hermitage, PH, Manchester, Highland Springs, and Hanover at home would negate the "moral victory" view, in my opinion.

But, with ALL that....Hanover simply has too much to lose and they know they have to win. Lee-Davis will not be their John Marshall.

My gut says: Hanover 14, Lee-Davis 12

OH-----and Patrick Henry 34, Mills Godwin 14. According to my gut. :)