All four Suffolk teams under the lights tonight

Published 9:19 pm Thursday, October 23, 2008

King’s Fork (4-4, 3-4) at Great Bridge (4-4, 3-4) – 7 p.m.

Last year – Great Bridge 27-14

Last year’s meeting between the Bulldogs and Wildcats was key to King’s Fork’s playoff hopes. Tonight, King’s Fork enters action rated No. 10 in the regional power ratings and Great Bridge in No. 11. The top eight will make the regional playoffs, making this contest a certain elimination game.

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In a 59-30 loss to Western Branch last week, Great Bridge gained 279 passing yards to 18 on the ground. The Wildcats’ most dangerous threat is wide receiver Logan Heastie. Heastie’s committed to West Virginia. Last year, Heastie caught 10 passes for 128 yards against King’s Fork.

KF comes in off a 12-9 win against Hickory. A.J. Harper had his best game since the first week of the season, running 23 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Mason has 23 receptions, 364 yards and four receiving touchdowns for the season.

Indian River (5-3, 5-2) at Lakeland (3-5, 3-4) – 7 p.m.

Last year – Indian River 46-6

The loss of Cedric Johnson to injury hurt Lakeland in a huge way last Friday night in the rain at Deep Creek as the Hornets blanked Lakeland 13-0.

With 300 yards per game and 199 passing yards per game, Indian River’s offense is one of the best in the region. Last week though, Grassfield beat the Braves 7-3. Indian River ran 35 passing plays to 13 rushing plays, gaining 10 rushing yards total.

Last year at Indian River, the Cavaliers came into the game with two straight wins only for the Braves to take a 33-0 lead by halftime.

Nansemond River (1-7, 0-7) at Hickory (1-7, 1-6) – 7 p.m.

Last year – Nansemond River 20-13

A few days after news of forfeiting two victories from early in the 2007 season, the Warriors rebounded for a last-minute victory over Hickory. Eric Scott’s touchdown run with 47 seconds left gave Nansemond River its winning touchdown. Tonight, with Great Bridge being the last game on the Warrior schedule, this is the best chance for a district victory.

Hickory gained 20 yards of total offense against King’s Fork last Friday night. A 19-17 win by the Hawks against Grassfield two weeks ago is an even bigger upset after Grassfield’s ensuing win against Indian River. On the other hand, only two of Hickory’s seven losses have stayed within a possession.

Blue Ridge (2-4) at Nansemond-Suffolk (4-4) – 7 p.m.

Last year – Blue Ridge 55-13

Last year at Blue Ridge, the Saints faced a similar situation. The Saints, then No. 4 rated in the VIS Division II playoff chase, needed a win to stay in playoff position. Blue Ridge derailed that in a big way.

Now, NSA is No. 5 in the division and Blue Ridge, also in Div. II, is No. 6, so it sets up similar to the King’s Fork/Great Bridge contest. Blue Ridge lost a 23-17 result to Virginia Episcopal last week and dropped from the No. 4 spot.

There are two common opponents. Both teams lost to No. 1 Atlantic Shores by large margins. Blue Ridge has a 49-29 win over Trinity Episcopal while the Saints lost to Trinity 32-26 in overtime.

Kenny Rice and J.R. Crowder combined for 216 rushing yards last Friday in NSA’s 25-0 win over Greenbrier Christian.