Spotlight game: Norview at Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington's playoff hopes are on the line. Norview, 0-10 last year, now has playoff hopes. The winner of this Eastern District game can move on feeling good, while the loser faces a difficult time down the stretch. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday.

STARRING ROLES

Norview (3-2, 2-0 Eastern District) When quarterback Kwe'shon Williams has thrown the ball, he's made it count. Only 19 for 55 this season, five of those completions have gone for touchdowns and his receivers average 22.7 yards per catch. He's rushed for 232 yards and thrown for 432, so he's been able to keep teams honest.

Booker T. Washington (2-3, 0-2) Lafayette Smallwood's production per touch is absurd (12.4 yards per carry, 19.1 yards per catch), but in the past three games, defenses focusing on Smallwood have limited him to 136 total yards. The Bookers need him to get back to his big-play ways.

PLOT TWISTS

The Pilots have put together a three-game winning streak, though two of those games have come against teams from the Eastern District's lower tier. Still, for a squad that went winless last year, has had four coaches in two-plus seasons and one winning record since 2002, it's been a very nice start.

The Bookers, meanwhile, have lost three straight, watching their district championship dreams dwindle to playoff hopes.

"The kids are not down, that's the biggest thing," Booker T. Washington coach Che Jacobs said. "We can fight, we can come back. As long as we still have a shot at the playoffs, we have something to fight for."

Jacobs has long lauded his offense's big-play potential, but it's his defense that has been the problem, surrendering 39 points or more in three consecutive weeks, including two games against Eastern District heavyweights Norcom and Lake Taylor.

HOW IT WILL END

Larry says It's a must-win game for Bookers. BTW, 27-24.

Jami says Bookers are more desperate for a victory. BTW, 30-23.