Football: Friday's spotlight games

Lakeland at Grassfield, 7 p.m.

Who could have seen the Cavaliers here after they went winless last season? Picked in the preseason to finish one spot from the Southeastern District basement, Lakeland is second in the Eastern Region Division 5 power ratings. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Grassfield.

Starring roles

Lakeland (5-1, 4-1 Southeastern District) The Cavaliers got off to a rousing start behind the arm of quarterback Zach Super. But the junior is out for the season with a torn ACL and will undergo surgery today. Running back Raekwon Johnson (right) took over quite nicely. But last week against King’s Fork, the Cavaliers brought in freshman Miles Goodman, who responded with a four-TD performance in a 53-3 victory. He threw for two scores and ran in two more, freeing up Johnson to concentrate on running the ball. Johnson finished with 186 yards and two scores on 13 carries.

Grassfield (6-0, 5-0) The Grizzlies are basically pounding the ball down opponents’ throats and daring them to put a stop to it. So far, few have. In a 35-21 victory over Western Branch last week, Grassfield rushed the ball 28 of 29 first-half plays and racked up 216 yards. The trio of Jonathan Franklin, Vincent Lowe and Isaiah Harper lead the rushing attack. Franklin had to sit out against Western Branch with a shoulder injury, but is expected to return tonight. Lowe has rushed for 258 yards in the past two games. Defensively the Grizzlies have been stoppers, allowing 6.5 points a game. Dominique Torres had two of his team’s three interceptions against Western Branch.

Plot twists

Lakeland is no longer one-dimensional and that’s going to be a huge help against the Cavaliers’ second district heavyweight in three weeks. Lakeland held its own against Oscar Smith, losing 21-7.

Grassfield’s defense likely will be the key factor in this one. The Grizzlies follow this showdown with games against King’s Fork and Oscar Smith.

How it will end

Larry Rubama says Grizzlies’ defense rises to occasion. Grassfield, 27-20.

Jami Frankenberry says Memo to Cavs: Grizzlies plan to run the ball. Grassfield, 20-7.

Also showing

No. 4 Salem (5-1 overall and Beach District) vs. No. 6 Landstown (5-1), 7 p.m.

This neighborhood showdown at the Sportsplex should be a good one. It also will go a long way toward untangling a Beach District race that currently has three teams tied with one loss each (Ocean Lakes is the other).

The SunDevils feature a balanced offense with RB Divante Walker (792 yards and 12 touchdowns) doing most of the running and QB Bucky Hodges (907 yards and 11 TDs) most often looking to Brehon Daniels and James Church when he throws.

The Eagles are similar, with a running back tandem of Trevon Byron and Shyheim Swinson. The two have combined for 854 yards and nine TDs. QB Keanu Reuben has accounted for 12 TDs and thrown for 791 yards.

Larry says Salem 34-20. Jami says Salem 24-14

No. 7 Lake Taylor (4-1, 3-0 Eastern District) at Norview (4-2, 3-0), 7 p.m.

This Norfolk showdown should start to clear up the Eastern District race. Both teams are tied atop the standings with Norcom at 3-0. The Pilots and Norcom play next week.

Lake Taylor is one of South Hampton Roads’ highest-scoring teams, averaging 41.4 points per game, and the Titans won this match-up 41-0 last season. But this isn’t the Norview of last season: The Pilots – 0-10 last year – have scored 21 or more points in 5 of 6 games, and trounced Booker T. Washington 55-27.

The Titans have hit their stride in recent weeks on offense. RBs Brandon Moore and Torrey Palmer have rushed for 496 and 495 yards, respectively, and QB Delmon Williams has thrown for 586 yards and eight TDs while tossing just two INTs. Williams’ 172 passing yards last week in a 48-0 victory over Maury were a season high.Norview has weapons of its own on offense, starting with versatile QB Kwe’shon Williams, who has accounted for 989 yards and 17 TDs.

Larry says Lake Taylor, 27-21. Jami says Norview, 27-26.

- Lee Tolliver