Picks & previews for Friday's football games

Eastern Region Division 6 semifinal

Bayside (9-2) at Salem (10-1)

When 7:30 p.m. today

The scoop These Beach District rivals meet more than two months after playing in the season opener. Salem won that game surprisingly easily, 31-6. Bayside has since grown up along the offensive line, and a handful of players have overcome minor injuries. Marlins QB Deion Stitt has thrown for 2,160 yards and 23 TDs this season, but he has been especially efficient in the past month. Stitt has 11 TD passes and no interceptions in the past four games. WR Anthony Cooper, committed to Virginia, has 47 receptions and 1,014 yards on the season, and he burned Woodside for 11 catches, 201 yards and two TDs in an OT victory last week. RB Taquan Mizzell has 1,000-plus yards, including 298 and six TDs in the past three games. Salem has won six consecutive games, outscoring opponents 288-35 in that stretch. RB Divante Walker averages 11.8 yards per carry and has 1,407 rushing yards. Bucky Hodges has been one of South Hampton Roads’ most efficient signal-callers, completing 65 percent of his passes for 23 TDs and while tossing just four INTs. He has 1,878 passing yards.

Larry Rubama says Bayside, 27-24.

Jami Frankenberry says Salem, 28-24.

VISAA Division III championship

Norfolk Christian (8-2) vs. North Cross (8-2)

When 7 p.m. today

Site Virginia Beach Sportsplex

The scoop These teams are familiar foes: Norfolk Christian won last year in the state championship game, while North Cross won 34-27 early this season. Norfolk Christian has won eight consecutive games since that loss. RB Jocorey Robins has 1,589 rushing yards and 18 TDs, while WR Mario Nixon has 27 receptions for 608 yards and eight scores. Nixon, LB/FB Kwontie Moore, lineman Courtnye Wynn and DB/WR Wil Wahee have committed to Virginia. North Cross has won four straight since a loss to Liberty Christian, which is playing in the Division I title game. Norfolk Christian also lost to Liberty Christian. North Cross QB Thomas Weaver has thrown for 1,700-plus yards, while RB Evan Anderson has gained 1,200-plus yards on the ground.

Larry Norfolk Christian, 28-21.

Jami Norfolk Christian, 31-24.

VISAA Division IV championship

Greenbrier Christian (6-3) at Blessed Sacrament (8-2)

When 7 p.m. today

The scoop Greenbrier Christian travels to Powhatan, just west of Richmond, to play in its first state championship game since losing in 1999. The Gators have won two straight games to recover from a three-game losing skid late in the season. QB Nick Jessee has thrown for 681 yards, while RB T.J. Reynard has 1,350 rushing yards and 17 TDs. Blessed Sacrament Huguenot has won back-to-back Division IV state titles. The Knights’ losses this season came against Christchurch – a finalist in Division II – and Isle of Wight. Blessed Sacrament averages nearly 300 rushing yards per game, led by Nathaniel Settle and Jerome Robinson. That duo combined for 361 yards in a semifinal win last week.

Larry Greenbrier Christian, 21-20.

Jami Blessed Sacrament, 28-13.