Hickory (1-6, 1-5) at King’s Fork (3-4, 2-4) – 7 p.m.

Last year – King’s Fork 20-12

Two run-dominated, 80-plus yard touchdown drives in the final 15 minutes gave the Bulldogs a dramatic victory at Hickory late last season. At the time, the win kept King’s Fork’s playoff hopes alive. The Bulldogs face an identical situation tonight as a 3-0 finish against Hickory, Great Bridge and Grassfield seems to be what the Bulldogs need.

Hickory, in a down year, especially by the Hawks’ usual standards, played one of its better games of the season last week in a 17-0 loss against Western Branch. Hickory’s defense kept it a 3-0 Bruin lead until the fourth quarter, but Hickory’s offense managed only 49 rushing yards in 37 plays and five passing yards on 2-for-11 passing and two interceptions.

Lakeland (3-4, 3-3) at Deep Creek (1-6, 1-5) – 7 p.m.

Last year – Lakeland 34-14

Lakeland’s win last year over Deep Creek was the first win in series history for the Cavaliers. Lakeland totaled 214 passing yards in that contest.

In the last two weeks, Lakeland’s moved the ball in about every way imaginable. Neil McKoy’s added more accuracy to the big plays that were in Lakeland’s passing game even from the start of the year. Cedric Johnson’s rushed for 490 yards in Lakeland’s wins versus King’s Fork and Nansemond River. The Cavaliers scored a return touchdown, one by Dontarius Boone and one by Rufus Artis, in both games. That’s added up to 85 points in two weeks.

Deep Creek comes in with a one-point win over Nansemond River as its only victory. The Hornets did challenge Indian River last week though, losing 14-7. Despite losing the turnover battle five to two against the Braves, Deep Creek’s defense kept the game tight.

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

Last year – Oscar Smith 49-0

Oscar Smith was up 48-0 by halftime against King’s Fork last Friday night and that’s just par for the course for the Tigers. Oscar Smith remains in the top 10 in the nation in polls by ESPN.com (No. 8) and Prep Nation (No. 9).

Nansemond River played well for a half last week against Lakeland and the Warriors were a couple turnovers away from flipping a 20-12 Cavalier lead at the half. Lakeland pulled away in a huge way with a 27-0 second half. The Warriors went from 17 first downs before halftime to two in the second half.

Greenbrier Christian (0-7, 0-3) at Nansemond-Suffolk (3-4, 2-1) – 7 p.m.

Last year – Greenbrier Christian 28-10

Despite Saturday’s loss to Norfolk Academy and a 3-4 overall record, the Saints remain No. 5 in the Div. 2 state ratings and one place out of a playoff spot.

Last year, the Saints faced the Gators after a big victory over Norfolk Academy. The Gators beat the Saints to give NSA a co-championship in the Tidewater Conference instead of the outright title, and that loss possibly kept NSA on the outside looking in of a state playoff spot. So NSA’s playoff situation and revenge should be plenty of motivation for the Saints.

The Gators are coming off a 33-0 loss to Bishop Sullivan. The Saints beat the Crusaders 28-7 in September.