Football: Picks and previews for weekend games

Jami and Larry take a look at today's and Friday's games, which begin at 7 p.m. at the home school unless otherwise noted.

TODAY

No. 4 Salem (4-1) at Kempsville (1-5)

The scoop Salem is coming off a disheartening 18-14 loss to Ocean Lakes on Saturday. The SunDevils led 14-3 when the game was postponed Friday. Now, Salem finds itself in a logjam atop the Beach District. RB Divante Walker, who rushed for 618 yards in Salem's first three games, has just 93 yards in the past two. Kempsville has lost four straight games. Larry Salem, 43-7. Jami Salem, 30-7.

Tallwood (2-3) at Cox (3-3)

The scoop Tallwood survived an overtime scare last week against Princess Anne - the Lions' second one-point OT victory of the season. Cox has climbed back to .500 after back-to-back wins in which the Falcons allowed just nine total points. Cox has used a variety of runners, led by Jay Brooks (395 yards, four TDs), and Josh Plasse and Tommy McKee have split snaps behind center. Larry Cox, 34-7. Jami Cox, 27-10.

No. 9 Bayside (4-2) vs. Kellam (3-2)

Site Virginia Beach Sportsplex

The scoop The Marlins' Beach District title hopes almost certainly evaporated with last week's loss to Landstown. Now, Bayside, sitting in fourth place in the district, needs to win to keep its playoff hopes alive. QB Deion Stitt has 1,134 passing yards, while RB Taquan Mizzell has 511 yards, but only 31 in the past two games while nursing an injury. Larry Bayside, 33-20. Jami Bayside, 28-10.

Hampton Roads (1-3, 0-2) at Greenbrier (3-0, 1-0)

The scoop Greenbrier Christian and Norfolk Christian are the lone unbeatens left in Tidewater Conference play, although the Gators still have Norfolk Christian, Bishop Sullivan and Nansemond-Suffolk left on the schedule. Greenbrier QB Nick Jessee has thrown for 498 yards and five TDs, while T.J. Reynard has 502 rushing yards and four scores.

Covenant School (1-5) at Norfolk Academy (1-3)

Time 4 p.m.

The scoop The Bulldogs last week snapped a 13-game losing streak that dated back to the 2009 season. RB Hunter Wagnon had 129 yards and scored three times in the 35-8 victory over Hampton Roads, and the Bulldogs have scored 30-plus points twice this season.

FRIDAY

No. 5 Grassfield (5-0, 4-0) at W. Branch (2-3, 2-2)

The scoop Grassfield is South Hampton Roads' only unbeaten Group AAA team. The Grizzlies have done it with a stingy defense (8.8 points per game) and a punishing ground game. Vincent Lowe has rushed for 249 of his 380 yards in the past two games, and he's one of three players with 180-plus rushing yards. RB Josh Marriner has a team-high 558 rushing yards and five TDs, while QB CJ Thomas has 528 yards and seven TDs. Larry Grassfield, 27-20. Jami Grassfield, 17-14.

Granby (1-4, 1-1) at Churchland (2-3, 1-1)

The scoop Granby topped Wilson 25-6 on Monday in a suspended game - the Comets' first victory. RB Paul Dukes has three 100-yard games. Churchland's 25-21 loss to Norcom snapped a two-game winning streak. The Truckers' offense has been led by RB Benjamin DuBois, who has 301 rushing yards. Larry Churchland, 20-16. Jami Churchland, 27-13.

Wilson (0-5) at Northeastern (6-1)

Time 7:30 p.m.

The scoop The Presidents head to Elizabeth City, N.C. Northeastern has won five consecutive games, scoring 33 or more points in each one. The Eagles have put up 60-plus points four times. Larry Wilson, 14-13. Jami Northeastern, 23-20.

Deep Creek (0-5, 0-4) at No. 10 Great Bridge (3-2, 2-2)

The scoop Deep Creek scored its first points last week in a 27-3 loss to Nansemond River, but the Hornets still seek their first TD. Finding the end zone hasn't been a problem for Great Bridge RB Adriell Mayes, who has 12 TDs. Mayes is in a tight race with Oscar Smith's J.C. Coleman for the South Hampton Roads rushing lead. Mayes has 889, Coleman has 894. Larry Great Bridge, 31-0. Jami Great Bridge, 34-8.

No. 1 Oscar Smith (4-1, 4-0) at Hickory (3-2, 2-2)

The scoop Oscar Smith has scored 21 points in each of its past two games after averaging 38.6 in its first three. The Tigers' Southeastern District winning streak is at 41 games. QB J.J. Williamson hopes to rebound after throwing three INTs in last week's 21-7 victory over Lakeland. The senior has 948 passing yards. Hickory has gotten 445 passing yards from QB Bear Totten. Larry Oscar Smith, 34-14. Jami Oscar Smith, 30-7.

King's Fork (1-4, 1-3) at No. 8 Lakeland (4-1, 3-1)

The scoop King's Fork has lost three consecutive games since a victory over Indian River. The Bulldogs fell 12-7 against Western Branch on Monday. Lakeland suffered its first loss last week, 21-7 to top-ranked Oscar Smith. QB Zach Super has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL, but Raekwon Johnson has thrown for 359 yards since replacing him. Larry Lakeland, 37-13. Jami Lakeland, 20-7.

No. 7 Lake Taylor (3-1, 2-0) vs. Maury (0-5, 0-2)

Site Powhatan Field, Norfolk

The scoop Lake Taylor has picked up steam since a 26-18 loss to Bethel (4-1) of the Peninsula District. The Titans have scored 100 points in their past two games, and the duo of Torrey Palmer and Brandon Moore has combined for 804 yards. Larry Lake Taylor, 33-0. Jami Lake Taylor 31-7.

Indian River (0-5, 0-4) at Nansemond River (3-2, 2-2)

The scoop Indian River led Great Bridge late in the fourth quarter on Monday before losing 27-20. Nansemond River has won two of its past three games, and RB Lamont Brown ranks third in South Hampton Roads with 818 rushing yards. Larry Indian River, 23-14. Jami Nansemond River, 20-18.

Atlantic Shores (3-2) at Norfolk Christian (3-2)

The scoop Both teams have rebounded from 0-2 starts against stiff competition, and now this non-conference battle features two top-five teams in the latest VISAA Division III poll: the Seahawks are No. 5 and Norfolk Christian is No. 3.

Nanse.-Suffolk (1-4) at Portsmouth Christian (1-4)

The scoop Both teams are coming off their first victory - N-SA 20-6 over Virginia Episcopal, Portsmouth Christian 39-14 over Chincoteague (on Tuesday). The Saints' Bobby Lamm has 548 rushing yards and seven TDs.