RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The following is the #8SportsBlitz Top Ten for the Week of Monday, September 28, 2015.
10. Lee-Davis Confederates (4-0)
Last: def. Varina 28-12
Next: vs. Armstrong (2-2)
Why: The Confederates are the last undefeated team in Hanover County. They can run it with Nathan Evans. They can throw it with Chase Mummau. What allows them to do both is great blocking up front. Mummau did not play after Week 4 in 2014 due to injury. Lee-Davis could be a 5A playoff team if he stays healthy this year, but the Capital District gauntlet awaits.
9. Douglas Freeman Rebels (4-0)
Last: def. John Marshall 27-18
Next: @ Thomas Jefferson (1-4)
Why: Freeman was on upset alert Monday against John Marshall, and the Rebels trailed 12-7 before coming back to win 27-18. Maybe it was too much rest and maybe it was weird to play on a Monday afternoon, but the Rebels are good enough to be 9-0 heading into a season-ending match-up with Hermitage. That’s only if they don’t lose focus along the way.
8. Manchester Lancers (4-0)
Last: def. James River 28-16
Next: vs. George Wythe (0-4)
Why: Manchester got a good win Friday night to show us where they stand. They’re not on L.C. Bird’s level, but they’re better than James River. Difficult dates with Hermitage, Monacan, and Cosby loom.
7. Thomas Dale Knights (3-1)
Last: def. Colonial Heights 61-0
Next: @ Prince George (2-2)
Why: Thomas Dale returned from a bye week to play a 3A team and had no trouble. The beginning of the season was tough, but the Knights should now be ready for a good stretch run. Prince George can score in bunches, so Dale cannot overlook the Royals, and that could happen as a meeting with Dinwiddie awaits on October 9th.
6. Monacan Chiefs (5-0)
Last: def. Huguenot 25-6
Next: vs. #1 L.C. Bird (5-0)
Why: Monacan remains undefeated without starting quarterback Syour Fludd, but the Chiefs still are not as good. With Fludd, Monacan was able to score early and often. Without him, they’re scoring less early and less often. Bird is beating the brakes off of everyone this season, so the Chiefs will need every team member playing at full capacity to make a successful upset bid.
5. Benedictine Cadets (3-0)
Last: idle
Next: @ St. Christopher’s (4-0) Saturday 10/03
Why: This will be the toughest test the Cadets face within the 804 area code. St. Chris is undefeated and has won most of its games easily. The Cadets have the most future college talent in the match up, but strange things can happen in private school rivalry games.
4. Henrico Warriors (4-0)
Last: def. Patrick Henry 26-7
Next: vs. Varina (1-3)
Why: It’s like a 2014 replay this week. Last year, Henrico was surging, undefeated, laying waste to all before it with defense and special teams and a running game. Varina was off to a rough start. In 2014, the Blue Devils handed the Warriors their first loss of the season. Henrico will remember that.
3. Highland Springs Springers (3-1)
Last: def. Armstrong 71-0
Next: vs. Atlee (3-1)
Why: We didn’t know it was possible to put up 41 points in a quarter, but the Springers did it to Armstrong. Highland Springs once again has incredible talent at the skill positions. The upcoming difficult Capital District schedule will reveal if Highland Springs has the same grit it did last season.
2. Hermitage Panthers (4-0)
Last: def. J.R. Tucker 42-16
Next: @ John Marshall (1-3)
Why: Hermitage fell behind early to Tucker but turned it on and won going away. The final 42 points of the game belonged to the Panthers, as they were clicking on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. They’ll need a good effort to beat John Marshall, which plays hard but lacks depth. Hermitage gets a break from its usual diet of Colonial District foes in two weeks with a match up with Manchester.
1. L.C. Bird Skyhawks (5-0)
Last: def. Clover Hill 36-0
Next: @ #6 Monacan (5-0)
Why: The Skyhawks have outscored opponents 204-7 this season. Only Thomas Dale has scored on Bird, and that was in the second half with David Bedwell’s crew comfortably ahead. This is one of the most dominant runs we’ve seen, even for Bird. Monacan will definitely put up a fight, but right now the Skyhawks are the cream of the crop.
LAST WEEK: #8SportsBlitz Top 10 for Week 4
NEXT WEEK: #8SportsBlitz Top 10 for Week 6
