757Teamz predictions: Surging Kecoughtan looks for redemption in first-round matchup against Norview

The wait has felt like forever, but Kecoughtan (7-3) finally gets the chance to avenge last year’s difficult playoff defeat when it hosts Norview (4-6) on Thursday night in a Class 5 Region B first-round football game at Darling Stadium.

Kecoughtan’s season ended at the same stage a year ago when then-Nansemond River quarterback Nolan James — now the starting signal-caller for 757Teamz No. 1 Phoebus — threw a 22-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining to give his team an 18-12 win.

“I said, ‘If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is,’” Warriors coach Jeff Super told Kecoughtan’s players in the preseason. “The kids have worked hard since January, and we’re just happy to get the opportunity to play at home.”

The Warriors will do so as the No. 3 seed against No. 6 Norview because of their 49-35 upset of No. 4 seed Woodside last week. Super said the victory was his “biggest” in three seasons as Kecoughtan’s coach.

Senior running back Kamron Jackson led the way by accounting for five touchdowns — three rushing, one passing and one receiving. His 190 rushing yards gave him 1,403 for the regular season as the Warriors, who ran for about 1,300 yards last year, finished the regular season with about 2,200 yards on the ground.

“Kamron embodies what we’re trying to do, which is be a physical football team,” Super said, although Warriors quarterback Knowell Smith showed passing ability (11 for 14, 168 yards) against Woodside. “He’s a good north-south runner, a good-sized kid and the hardest-working practice player I’ve ever coached.

“Do you really want to keep sticking your head in for four quarters against a kid who’s 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and runs so hard? Our offensive line has done a great job blocking.”

In David Anderson, a Duke recruit, the Warriors have one of the area’s best anchoring that line. Super credits Anderson, who has played little since his freshman season because of injuries, for embracing his role in the trenches after formerly playing receiver.

Anderson, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound senior, has also emerged on defense, sacking opposing quarterbacks 15 times. Kecoughtan’s defense will face a capable Norview offense, out of which Sincere Bullock has passed for 611 yards — many to receivers Eamon Cuffee (328 receiving yards, three touchdowns) and Jaylin Williams (325 receiving yards, four touchdowns).

“Norview is aggressive on defense and going to blitz a lot,” Super said. “On offense, they’ll spread you out or go under center, so we’ve got to be ready for anything.”

In other playoff games:

Class 6 Region A

#8 Kellam (4-6) at #1 Oscar Smith (9-1), 7 p.m. Thursday

The No. 1 seed Tigers — who fell from No. 1 in Hampton Roads — try to bounce back after a humiliating 56-0 loss to Phoebus. The Knights are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Marty: Oscar Smith 49-7. Larry: Oscar Smith 35-14.

#5 Franklin County (6-4) at #4 Western Branch (8-2), 6 p.m. Thursday

The Bruins hope to get past Franklin County to set up a rematch with Oscar Smith. They are led by RB Shimique Blizzard, who has rushed for 1,328 yards and 18 TDs.

Marty: Western Branch 24-16. Larry: Western Branch 28-26.

Class 5 Region A

#8 Hickory (3-7) at #1 Green Run (10-0), 7 p.m. Thursday

The Stallions have outscored opponents 483-73, while the Hawks are back in the playoffs for the second consecutive season after having never made the playoffs in program history.

Marty: Green Run 52-8. Larry: Green Run 42-14.

#7 Tallwood (4-6) at #2 Kempsville (9-1), 7 p.m. Thursday

The Chiefs are led by running back NaiQuan Washington-Pearce (1,023 yards, 16 TDs), and Tallwood’s Marquis Stevens has rushed for 1,022 yards and 13 TDs.

Marty: Kempsville 35-6. Larry: Kempsville 42-13.

#6 Bayside (6-4) at #3 Cox (8-2), 7 p.m. Thursday

The Falcons have won six in a row and 11 of 12 against the Marlins. The quarterback battle features Cox’s Gage Trefry (763 yards, nine TDs) and Bayside’s Mike Myers (1,518 yards, 16 TDs).

Marty: Bayside 21-14. Larry: Cox 28-21.

#5 Indian River (7-3) at #4 Salem (7-3), 7 p.m. Thursday

This is the first meeting between the two teams. SunDevils QB Jason Williams has thrown for 1,381 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Marty: Indian River 17-14. Larry: Salem 35-20.

Class 5 Region B

#5 Menchville (5-5) vs. #4 Woodside (7-3) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m. Thursday

The last time Menchville beat Woodside was 2004. Woodside RBs Stephen Davis and Ri’jon Hammond have combined for 1,671 yards and 18 TDs.

Marty: Woodside 28-20. Larry: Woodside 34-20.

Class 4 Region A

#8 Hampton (3-7) vs. #1 Warwick (9-1) at Todd Stadium, noon Saturday

Raiders QB Eduardo Rios Jr. has thrown for 1,340 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions and rushed for 316 yards and three scores. The Crabbers’ Raykwon Smith and Jamarrie Lumpkins have combined for 981 yards and 11 TDs.

Marty: Warwick 31-13, Larry: Warwick 35-13.

#7 Deep Creek (5-5) at #2 King’s Fork (8-2), 7 p.m. today

The Bulldogs are coming off their first region title and reached the state semifinals for the first time last season. The teams have standout RBs: King’s Fork’s Javon Ford (1,044 yards, 11 TDs) and Deep Creek’s Brandon Nesbit (1,008 yards 17 TDs).

Marty: King’s Fork 35-28. Larry: King’s Fork 28-24.

#6 Grafton (6-4) vs. #3 Warhill (7-3) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m. today

Warhill QB Chase O’Neal has thrown for 1,086 yards and 11 TDs. Grafton is led by QB Koy Snyder (1,161 yards, 10 TDs) and RB Colton Sandiford (1,057 yards, 10 TDs).

Marty: Warhill 35-14. Larry: Warhill 34-27.

#5 Heritage (6-4) at #4 Churchland (7-3), 7 p.m. today

The Truckers have the 1-2 punch of QB Brandy Hillman and RB Leon Clark, who have rushed for 2,235 yards and 30 TDs.

Marty: Churchland 24-21. Larry: Churchland 26-20

Class 3 Region A

#8 York (7-3) vs. #1 Phoebus (10-0) at Darling Stadium, 4:30 p.m. today

The Phantoms, who beat Oscar Smith 56-0 last week, begin their quest for a third consecutive state title and moved up to No. 75 nationally by MaxPreps. York QB Nathan Wagner has 1,110 passing yards and 10 TDs and WR Brian Burks has 33 receptions, 683 yards and five TDs.

Marty: Phoebus 42-7. Larry: Phoebus 41-14.

#7 Colonial Heights (6-4) vs. #2 Lafayette (9-1) at Wanner Stadium, 4 p.m. today

Jaylen Pretlow has accounted for 1,438 total yards and 25 TDs and RB DeMarcus Lawrence has rushed for 1,332 yards and 16 TDs.

Marty: Lafayette 38-6. Larry: Lafayette 26-20.

#6 Hopewell (6-4) at #3 Lake Taylor (9-1), 7 p.m. today

Titans RB Tarreon Washington-Jacobs has rushed for 1,320 yards and 18 TDs, and defensive lineman and Virginia commit Anthony Britton leads Hampton Roads with 22 sacks and 83 sacks.

Marty: Lake Taylor 28-18. Larry: Lake Taylor 31-14.

#5 Southampton (8-2) at #4 Norcom (7-3), 7 p.m. today

Norcom’s Zion Thomas-Fugate leads all public-school receivers with 37 receptions for 839 yards and 11 TDs. DB Jaden Ratliff has 90 tackles and seven interceptions.

Marty: Norcom 33-12. Larry: Norcom 27-20.

Class 2 Region A

#8 Bruton (5-5) at #1 King William (7-3), 7 p.m. today

The Panthers begin the playoffs on a three-game losing streak.

Marty: King William 48-20. Larry: King William 41-14.

#6 Nandua (6-4) at #3 Poquoson (6-4), 6:30 p.m. today

The Islanders try to snap a two-game losing streak as they head into the playoffs.

Marty: Poquoson 27-7. Larry: Poquoson 27-26.

LAST WEEK

Larry: 18-4, 199-44 (82%) overall

Marty: 19-3, 213-30 (88%) overall