Lakeland (7-3, 6-3 Southeastern) at Norcom (8-2, 6-1 Eastern) – 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting – Lakeland 9, Norcom 6, 3OTs (Oct. 27, 2006)

After going winless last season, the Cavaliers have made the regional playoffs for the first time in the school’s 16 football campaigns in Group AAA.

Oddly, the Cavs and Greyhounds enter the postseason off of losses from last Friday. City rival Nansemond River topped Lakeland 21-14. Lake Taylor, No. 2 in the Div. 5 playoff bracket, won the Eastern District title with a 20-14 win over Norcom.

Lakeland junior Raekwon Johnson has moved from running back to quarterback as needed for the Cavaliers throughout the season. Johnson’s totaled 1,476 rushing yards. He’s scored touchdowns passing, rushing, receiving and on defense, as he plays as many snaps as possible at linebacker as well.

Cavalier senior wide receiver/cornerback/returner Anaquan Peterson has 44 receptions for 711 yards and is an equal threat to score any time an opponent kicks to him. The Cavs have broken 40 points in five games this season.

Norcom allowed 211 rushing yards to Lake Taylor but stayed in the game by forcing five Titan turnovers.

Greyhound quarterback DaQuan Saunders has thrown for 1,256 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Lakeland and Norcom faced three common opponents with remarkably similar outcomes.

Norcom won an early-season non-district game against Western Branch 21-14. The Cavaliers edged the Bruins 26-23 a couple weeks later. Lakeland beat Deep Creek 41-0 to open the season, followed by Norcom beating the Hornets 44-0 a few weeks later. Lakeland won 47-21 at Maury in September. Norcom beat Maury 42-20 two weeks ago.

Lakeland Cavaliers

(7-3, 6-3 Southeastern, No. 5 seed)

• Sept. 2 DEEP CREEK W 41-0
• Sept. 9 at Hickory W 41-15
• Sept. 16 at Maury W 47-21
• Sept. 26 WESTERN BRANCH W 26-23
• Sept. 30 at Oscar Smith L 21-7
• Oct. 7 KING’S FORK W 53-3
• Oct. 14 at Grassfield L 27-13
• Oct. 21 GREAT BRIDGE W 54-41
• Oct. 28 INDIAN RIVER W 28-14
• Nov. 4 at Nansemond River L 21-14

Norcom Greyhounds

(8-2, 6-1 Eastern, No. 4 seed)

• Aug. 30 at Wilson W 20-13
• Sept. 2 WESTERN BRANCH W 21-14
• Sept. 9 HAMPTON L 14-13
• Sept. 16 at Deep Creek W 44-0
• Sept. 24 at Booker T. Washington W 41-19
• Oct. 1 CHURCHLAND W 25-21
• Oct. 14 GRANBY W 28-22
• Oct. 21 at Norview W 27-14
• Oct. 28 MAURY W 42-20
• Nov. 4 at Lake Taylor L 20-14