Football: Picks and previews for Friday's games

Jami Frankenberry and Larry Rubama take a look at games today and Saturday, which begin at 7 p.m. at the home school unless otherwise noted.

Norview (1-2, 0-0) vs. Granby (0-3, 0-0)

Site Powhatan Field, Norfolk

The scoop Both teams begin Eastern District play after taking their lumps in nondistrict competition. Norview QB Kwe’shon Williams has rushed for 264 yards and thrown for another 160 yards while accounting for seven TDs. RB Paul Dukes leads Granby with 304 rushing yards on 56 attempts. Larry Norview, 16-13. Jami Norview, 28-13.

No. 5 Grassfield (3-0, 2-0) at Indian River (0-3, 0-2)

The scoop Grassfield has won its past two games by three points each, and the Grizzlies have limited their first three opponents to 13 points or fewer. Grassfield beat Great Bridge 15-12 last week. Indian River, coming off a 41-14 loss to Oscar Smith on Monday, has lost 5 of 6 games dating to last season. Larry Grassfield, 26-20. Jami Grassfield 28-10.

No. 1 Oscar Smith (2-1, 2-0) at Nansemond River (2-1, 1-1)

The scoop Oscar Smith, after opening with a loss to nationally ranked Gilman School of Maryland, has throttled back-to-back Southeastern District opponents, scoring 48 and 41 points. QB J.J. Williamson leads South Hampton Roads with 807 passing yards, while RB J.C. Coleman leads the district in rushing with 557 yards and has seven TDs. Nansemond River has been one of the district’s surprises, beating Wilson and King’s Fork by 19 and 27 points, respectively, and losing by just three to Grassfield. RB Lamont Brown has led the way with 548 rushing yards. Larry Oscar Smith, 34-20. Jami Oscar Smith, 38-13.

Deep Creek (0-3, 0-2) at Hickory (2-1, 1-1)

The scoop Deep Creek has been outscored 123-0 in its first three games, while Hickory has two overtime victories, including 35-34 last week against Western Branch. QB Bear Totten has thrown for 283 yards, while RB Terrance Gray rushed for 154 yards and four TDs last week. Larry Hickory, 33-6. Jami Hickory, 41-7.

King’s Fork (1-2, 1-1) at Great Bridge (1-2, 0-2)

The scoop King’s Fork has four consecutive losses in this Southeastern District match-up, including 35-7 last season. This time, the Bulldogs draw a Great Bridge team that has lost back-to-back games. The Wildcats hope to get RB Adriell Mayes back in stride. The senior rushed for 395 in the opening two games before being held to 73 in last week’s 15-12 loss to Grassfield. Larry Great Bridge 27-14. Jami Great Bridge, 31-10.

No. 10 Lake Taylor (2-1) at George Washington (2-2)

The scoop Lake Taylor travels to Danville after George Washington paid a visit last week to Churchland. The Titans have crept along, losing to unbeaten Bethel (which shut out perennial Peninsula District power Hampton last week). The Titans’ rushing duo of Torrey Palmer and Brandon Moore have combined for 619 yards. Larry Lake Taylor, 14-13. Jami Lake Taylor, 28-7.

Bishop Sullivan (3-1, 0-0) at Nansemond-Suffolk (0-3, 0-1)

The scoop These Tidewater Conference teams meet during a three-week span that should help clear up the conference title race. Nansemond-Suffolk lost 28-21 last week to Norfolk Christian, and Bishop Sullivan plays the Ambassadors next week. Bishop Sullivan suffered its first loss last week, 13-7 to North Cross – ranked third in the latest VISAA Division III poll. The Crusaders’ balanced offense includes RB Jeff Swoope, who has 603 yards in four games. Bishop Sullivan is second in this week’s VISAA Division II rankings. Bobby Lamm leads the Saints with 148 rushing yards.

Saturday

No. 2 Salem (3-0) at Green Run (2-2)

Time 1 p.m.

The scoop Salem is riding a seven-game regular-season winning streak dating to last season, and the SunDevils have had a relatively easy time with their first three foes this season. Average margin of victory: 23.3 points. RB Divante Walker has been difficult to stop, rushing for 618 yards and nine TDs – tops in South Hampton Roads – and QB Bucky Hodges has thrown for 461 yards. Green Run has shown it can move the ball too. QB Dominick Genua has thrown for 622 yards and rushed for another 243 yards. WR Damian Smith has 17 receptions for 299 yards. Larry Salem, 23-20. Jami Salem, 29-13.

Kellam (2-1) at Princess Anne (0-4)

Time 1 p.m.

The scoop Kellam has won back-to-back games after a 27-7 season-opening loss to Landstown. Knights RB Pat Koehl has 294 yards and four TDs. Princess Anne is coming off a 35-7 loss to Green Run on Tuesday and has been outscored 83-7 in its past two games. The Cavaliers seek their first on-field win in the past 33 games. Larry Kellam, 33-14. Jami Kellam, 31-19.

Ocean Lakes (3-1) at First Colonial (1-2)

Time 1 p.m.

The scoop Ocean Lakes rebounded from last week’s 26-21 loss to Bayside with a 33-7 victory over Tallwood on Tuesday. QB Corwin Cutler has collected 645 passing yards and seven TDs. First Colonial continues a tough stretch of early-season games that included Salem, Green Run and Bayside. RB Justin Cormier leads the Patriots with 245 rushing yards, though a number of players have seen carries. Larry Ocean Lakes, 24-21. Jami Ocean Lakes, 17-14.

Kempsville (1-3) at No. 3 Bayside (3-1)

Time 1 p.m.

The scoop Kempsville has been outscored 39-0 and 38-0 in its past two games and plays a Bayside team that has hit its stride since a season-opening loss to Salem. Kempsville QB Chris Guy has gained 258 yards on the ground, while Bayside has relied on QB Deion Stitt (586 passing yards, 4 TDs, four INTs) and RB Taquan Mizzell (487 rushing yards, 10 TDs). Larry Bayside 37-13. Jami Bayside 35-7.

Norfolk Academy (0-2) at St. Christopher’s (3-0)

Time 1 p.m.

The scoop Norfolk Academy has a 12-game losing streak dating to the 2009 season, and breaking it Saturday won’t be easy. The Bulldogs lost 21-7 to Trinity Episcopal last week, while St. Christopher’s shut out Trinity 33-0 in a season opener. St. Christopher’s also is ranked second in this week’s VISAA Division I poll.

Atlantic Shores (1-2) at St. James (1-2)

Time 2 p.m.

The scoop The Seahawks travel to Maryland to face a team that is coming off back-to-back blowout losses. Atlantic Shores scored its first win last week – 36-22 over Portsmouth Christian. The Seahawks gained 445 total yards.