Football: Picks and previews for Friday's games

High school "experts" Jami Frankenberry and Larry Rubama take a look at today’s season openers, which begin at 7 p.m. at the home school unless otherwise noted.

No. 5 Salem (8-4 last season) vs. No. 9 Cox (6-5)

Site Virginia Beach Sportsplex

The scoop Both Beach District teams are coming off Eastern Region Division 6 playoff appearances last season: Salem lost in the semis, Cox in the quarterfinals. The SunDevils welcome back eight starters from one of South Hampton Roads’ stingiest defenses, and QB Bucky Hodges and RB Diavante Walker also return. Cox, which runs an option offense, has a handful of players who saw carries last season, but the top two rushers – Steven Boyser (752 yards) and Devaul Peterson (642 yards) graduated. Larry Salem, 21-17. Jami Salem, 20-17.

First Colonial (3-7) at No. 1 Bayside (13-1)

The scoop Bayside is coming off one of the best seasons in school history after reaching the Group AAA Division 6 semifinals. A star trio returns: QB Deion Stitt, RB Taquan Mizzelle and WR Anthony Cooper. Stitt threw for 2,153 yards last season. At First Colonial, Sam Scarborough debuts – again. Scarborough coached the Patriots to a 34-27 mark over seven previous seasons. Larry Bayside, 27-14. Jami Bayside, 28-7.

No. 3 Norcom (10-2) at Wilson (4-6)

The scoop Norcom won a share of its first Eastern District title since 2000. RB Chavelle Atkins, a 1,000-yard rusher, is back, though Norcom will break in a new pair of QBs – senior Daquan Saunders and sophomore Darron Downing – after losing Jamaal Wright to graduation. Wright accounted for nearly 2,000 total yards last season. Wilson is now in year 2 under coach Curtis Williams. The Presidents, who stumbled last season after a 3-1 start, welcome two Norcom transfers: Derwounte Green and Jamze Merritt. Norcom won this district match-up 47-7 last season. Larry Norcom, 26-20. Jami Norcom, 28-16.

No. 4 Ocean Lakes (8-3) at Tallwood (3-7)

The scoop Ocean Lakes lost key skill players from last season – most notably QB Lafonte Thorougood (now at Vanderbilt). Corwin Cuttler gets the starting nod at QB, and two-way star Eli Harold is back. Harold, who has committed to Virginia, had 34 receptions on offense last season and collected seven sacks as a defensive end. Tallwood, meanwhile, welcomes longtime assistant John Kepple as its new head coach. He’s hoping to lead the Lions to their first .500 season since 2006. Larry Ocean Lakes, 34-13. Jami Ocean Lakes, 31-7.

Kellam (3-7) at Kempsville (4-6)

The scoop These rebuilding Beach District teams are looking to get off on the right foot. Gunner Kane returns at QB for Kellam, though he has company in Pat Kagel. Top target Chris Garner, a 6-6 senior wideout, gives them someone to throw to. Kempsville replaces two Division I recruits who graduated: RB/LB Travis Hughes (North Carolina) and WR/S Mason Thomas (Virginia). Kempsville won 33-6 last season. Larry Kellam, 24-13. Jami Kempsville, 14-10.

Green Run (5-5) at Princess Anne (0-10)

The scoop Green Run looks to rebound after a .500 season; the Stallions put together back-to-back 10-2 campaigns before that. The Stallions must replace South Hampton Roads’ leading rusher, Dre’Quez Lambert. He graduated after rushing for 1,698 yards in coach Shawn Wilson’s wildcat offense. Princess Anne has a 30-game on-field losing streak. The Cavaliers’ only win during that stretch came by forfeit in 2009. QB Brian Morgan (1,855 yards last season) is back, as is WR Jamil Kamara (719 yards). Larry Green Run, 27-20. Jami Green Run, 30-14.

King’s Fork (3-7) at Booker T. Washington (8-3)

Time 5 p.m.

The scoop This non-district game originally was scheduled for 7 p.m., but was moved because of the impending weather. RB/LB Charles Clark highlights a veteran King’s Fork roster; he rushed for 575 yards last season. Booker T. Washington has a host of playmakers, led by WR Lafayette Smallwood. He averaged more than 31 yards per catch last season. The Bookers will ask talented youngsters to fill key roles: QB Dominique Marsh graduated after a 1,900-yard passing season, and RB Donte Capers is gone after gaining nearly 1,400 yards as a senior. Larry BTW, 33-27. Jami BTW, 21-20.

Norview (0-10) at Hickory (6-4)

Time 5 p.m.

The scoop This non-district game, originally scheduled for 7 p.m., features two first-year head coaches: Norview’s Greg Gibson and Hickory’s Jupiter Wilson. The Hawks beat Norview 56-21 last season. Hickory has holes to fill, especially on offense. QB George Godfrey accounted for a school-record 1,815 total yards, and RB Edward Robinson 629 rushing yards and 10 TDs. Both graduated. Larry Hickory, 26-23. Jami Hickory, 31-13.

Broadwater (1-8) at Greenbrier Christian (6-5)

Time 4 p.m.

The scoop Greenbrier Christian has 16 starters back from a team that overachieved last season. Among the holdovers are QB Nick Jessee and RB T.J. Reynard.

Postponed

Isle of Wight (5-4) at Bishop Sullivan (6-4)

The scoop This non-conference game, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. today, has been postponed and tentatively set for 5 p.m. Monday.

Liberty (9-2) vs. No. 10 Norfolk Christian (11-1)

Site DLH Sports Complex, Virginia Beach (rescheduled for 5 p.m. Monday)

The scoop Norfolk Christian, the defending Virginia Independent Schools Division III state champion, starts out with a non-conference game against a perennial power in Division I. Liberty was a state semifinalist last season. The Ambassadors feature four Virginia commits, including 1,000-yard rusher Kwontie Moore. The others are Mario Nixon, Will Wahee and Courtnye Wynn. RB Jacorey Robins, a transfer from Churchland, joins them.

– Compiled by Jami Frankenberry