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By James J. Lidington

Isle of Wight Academy

FOOTBALL

Isle of Wight Academy’s varsity football team solidified its hold on the fourth spot in the state small private school poll with a 49-7 drubbing of Fuqua School in Farmville on Friday night, Oct. 28.

The Chargers (3-4) outgained the Falcons 281-138 in total offensive yardage; IWA senior running back Jackson Cofer rushed for 163 of his team’s 253 yards and scored four touchdowns. Senior Jude Powell keyed a ball-hawking Charger defense with three interceptions — two fewer passes than the Fuqua quarterback completed to his own receivers.

IWA had vaulted the Falcons into the fourth spot Tuesday, Oct. 25, when the latest poll was released by the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association for Division III. With the top four teams qualifying for postseason play, Friday’s result left no doubt.

IWA wraps up its regular season Friday, Nov. 4, with a home contest against Fishburne Military School of Waynesboro. State playoff pairings are announced on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Fishburne dropped to 4-5 when it lost its last game against North Cross, of Roanoke, 48-6 on Oct. 21. The Caissons are 1-2 against common opponents, with a win against Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, which defeated IWA 10-7 on Sept. 9, and losses to Fuqua and Christchurch School, each of whom IWA defeated in its previous two games.

If the season ended with the poll’s current alignment, No. 4 IWA would travel to play No. 1 Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic High School in Fredericksburg.

Other opponents could include current No. 3 Roanoke Catholic School or No. 2 Portsmouth Christian School.

CROSS COUNTRY

The IWA cross country teams finished their respective seasons on high notes.

The varsity boys took sixth place, while the girls finished fifth in a meet Thursday, Oct. 27, at Norfolk Academy.

Twelve runners set new personal records, and the following runners qualified for or will compete at the VISAA Cross Country State Championships on Friday, Nov. 11, at Woodberry Forest: Pierce Cutler, John Butler, Zach Jackson, Jayce Joyner, Robert Sullivan, Brendan Mackie and Gage Huber met qualifying times for the state meet; Brett Landen, Jacob Dunlap and Glenn Walters will also compete.

For the girls, Hannah Edwards, Hannah McClain and Alex Wilson met qualifying targets; Lauren Maust, Reese Upton, Hailey Whitley and Jillian Foster will also compete.

VOLLEYBALL

The IWA varsity volleyball team dropped to 6-6 on the year with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Greenbrier Christian Academy on Oct. 25 and a 3-0 defeat to Norfolk Academy on Oct. 27.

The Chargers were set to wrap up an injury-plagued season Tuesday, Nov. 1, at StoneBridge School.

COMING UP

Friday, Nov. 4:

Varsity football vs. Fishburne Military School, 7 p.m., Senior Night