757Teamz predictions: Green Run and Kempsville open the season in a rematch of the region championship game
The high school football season begins with a bang tonight when Green Run, ranked No. 4 in Hampton Roads, will host No. 6 Kempsville in a game that could decide the frontrunner for the Beach District title.
Last season, the Stallions beat Kempsville 21-13 in the second game of the season on their way to their first district title since 1995. Green Run then defeated Kempsville 21-17 in the Class 5 Region A championship game.
The Chiefs, who finished 9-2 overall and 7-1 in the district, also had a great season as they made the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and won their first playoff game since 1994.
Green Run is predicted to finish first in the Beach, followed by Kempsville.
“We hear all the talk around the area on social media,” said Green Run coach Brandon Williams. “There’s only one way to shut all that up. We’ll try to do that on [Friday].”
The Stallions (13-1, 10-0 Beach last season) will be led by former Menchville quarterback Kevin White, who threw for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He’ll have several weapons, including four-star receiver Keylen Adams — widely regarded as the top junior prospect in the state — and three-star receiver Tasean Young-Stieff.
They also are loaded on defense, led by backs Tyler Baker and Milton Ferguson. That unit will try to slow down Chiefs running back NaiQuan “The Bus” Washington-Pearce. Last season, he rushed for 1,179 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Larry Rubama’s pick: Green Run, 28-26
Marty O’Brien’s pick: Green Run, 35-14
Today’s games
(All games 7 p.m. unless noted)
757TEAMZ TOP 15
Deep Creek (7-5, 5-3 Southeastern last season) at No. 1 Oscar Smith (13-1, 7-0)
Larry: Oscar Smith, 35-13
Marty: Oscar Smith, 55-6
No. 5 Western Branch (10-3) at No. 10 Churchland (8-3)
Larry: Western Branch, 34-20
Marty: Western Branch, 28-18
No. 15 Salem (8-3, 7-2) at No. 12 Bayside (6-5, 6-4)
Larry: Bayside, 24-21
Marty: Salem, 21-19
Hickory (4-7, 4-5) at No. 13 Indian River (6-4, 5-3)
Larry: Indian River, 34-14
Marty: Indian River, 42-7
King George (9-1) vs. No. 14 Lafayette (7-3) at Wanner Stadium
Larry: Lafayette, 23-21
Marty: King George, 21-17
BEACH DISTRICT
First Colonial (1-9, 1-9) at Kellam (3-7, 3-7)
Larry: First Colonial, 20-17
Marty: Kellam, 18-12
Landstown (1-8, 1-7) at Ocean Lakes (5-5, 5-5)
Larry: Landstown, 35-14
Marty: Landstown, 14-6
Cox (7-5, 6-4) at Princess Anne (1-7, 1-7)
Larry: Cox, 33-13
Marty: Cox, 38-7
EASTERN DISTRICT
Norcom (1-6, 1-3) at No. 8 Lake Taylor (6-5, 3-3)
Larry: Lake Taylor, 27-16
Marty: Lake Taylor, 45-13
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Denbigh (0-8, 0-7) vs. Heritage (0-5, 0-5) at Todd Stadium
Larry: Heritage, 14-13
Marty: Heritage, 38-6
NON-DISTRICT
Bruton (3-7) at Northampton (8-3)
Larry: Northampton, 20-13
Marty: Bruton, 21-20
Southampton (4-4) vs. Poquoson (6-5) at Poquoson Middle School
Larry: Poquoson, 16-13
Marty: Poquoson, 21-18
Nansemond River (5-6) vs. Bethel (4-6) at Darling Stadium
Larry: Nansemond River, 23-20
Marty: Bethel, 14-13
Kecoughtan (4-6) at Mills Godwin (4-7)
Larry: Kecoughtan, 24-20
Marty: Kecoughtan, 20-8
Menchville (5-5) vs. Granby (1-8) at Powhatan Field
Larry: Menchville, 27-21
Marty: Menchville, 28-7
Petersburg (2-7) at Booker T. Washington (6-5)
Larry: Booker T. Washington, 16-13
Marty: Booker T. Washington, 28-20
Norview (5-5) at Grassfield (1-9)
Larry: Grassfield, 21-13
Marty: Grassfield, 26-12
Manor (4-4) at Lakeland (2-8)
Larry: Manor, 36-33
Marty: Manor, 27-19
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Nansemond-Suffolk at North Cross, 4 p.m.
Catholic at First Flight (N.C.), 7 p.m.
Isle of Wight vs. Atlantic Shores at Virginia Beach Sportsplex, 7 p.m.
Norfolk Christian at Hargrave Military, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Gloucester (1-6, 1-5 Peninsula) vs. Hampton (9-2, 7-1), noon at Darling Stadium
Larry: Hampton, 23-13
Marty: Hampton, 24-12
NON-DISTRICT
No. 11 Warhill (10-2) vs Warwick (6-5), noon at Todd Stadium
Larry: Warhill, 26-14
Marty: Warhill, 21-13
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Portsmouth Christian at Fredericksburg Christian, 1 p.m.
Greenbrier Christian at Richmond Christian, 4 p.m.
