757 road to the playoffs: Week-by-week look at the most intriguing high school football games

Every team is 0-0, every team has state championship aspirations.

The high school football season kicks off Friday in Hampton Roads, and every game matters in the hunt for spots in the Virginia High School League playoffs. Here’s a look at what games we expect to make a difference when the regular season ends in November:

Aug. 26

Kempsville at Green Run, 7 p.m.

Why wait for a big game? This is a rematch of last season’s Class 5 Region A championship game (won 21-17 by Green Run), and it should set the tone for the Beach District race. The Stallions are coming off the best season in program history, but coach Brandon Williams and his team are aiming higher than the region title. Kempsville was a major surprise last season, but the Chiefs won’t sneak up on anyone this year.

Sept. 2

Indian River at J.R. Tucker, 7 p.m.

The Braves visit Richmond to face a J.R. Tucker program being rebuilt by former Oscar Smith star quarterback Phillip Sims. Both teams have Class 5 playoff hopes — Indian River in Region A, Tucker in Region C — and a victory here could pay big dividends later. J.R. Tucker pays a visit later this season to Norfolk for a game against perennial playoff contender Lake Taylor on Nov. 4.

Sept. 9

Western Branch at Nansemond River, 7 p.m.

The Bruins are coming off the program’s first playoff victories since 2013, and there’s plenty of reason to think they’re ready for a deep postseason run led by versatile star Paul Billups Jr. — the top-ranked player in the 757′s Class of 2023. Nansemond River is always a rugged contender, and this season the Warriors welcome former Chuchland coach Alonzo Ricks Jr. to the sideline.

Sept. 16

Lafayette at York, 7 p.m.

Warhill, Lafayette and York finished in a three-way tie atop the Bay Rivers District last season, and the trio appears to be just as close now. York has to replace 2,000-yard rusher Jordin Lennon, but nearly every other key player returns, while Lafayette moves on without star QB Luke Hanson — who rallied the Rams to a 35-24 victory in this matchup last season.

Sept. 23

Lake Taylor vs. Maury at Powhatan Field, 7 p.m.

There’s no more meaningful game at Powhatan Field annually than this one, and Lake Taylor — after a rare .500 finish in the Eastern District — looks ready for a return to contention. The coaching matchup is intriguing too: Lake Taylor’s Hank Sawyer has more than 200 career victories and three state championships; Maury’s Dyrri McCain is 45-13 in five seasons, with a state title in 2019 and a runner-up finish last year.

Sept. 30

Salem at Landstown, 7 p.m.

This Beach District game should be meaningful for playoff positioning, but it also pits first-year Landstown coach Robert Jackson against the program he built into a perennial postseason team. Jackson, who also has coached at Bayside and Norcom, is 145-54 in 18 total seasons. Marcus Johnson-Williams went 8-3 in his first season as Salem’s coach.

Also this week: Oscar Smith at Indian River, 7 p.m. Sept. 30.

Oct. 8

Hampton vs. Phoebus at Darling Stadium

Phoebus is the defending Class 3 state champion, and coach Jeremy Blunt and the Phantoms expect to make another run at the title. They’ll find an unusual sight across the field, though, in this fierce rivalry: The Crabbers are now coached by former assistant and one-time star running back Woodrow Wilson. He replaced Mike Smith, who retired after 51 seasons and 12 state titles.

Also this week: Kempsville at Landstown, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14

Oscar Smith at King’s Fork, 7 p.m.

The Tigers have won back-to-back Class 6 state championships, and is there any doubt they’ll contend for a third? King’s Fork is coming off a banner year after the program’s first region title in school history under coach Anthony Joffrion, who is 13-3 over two seasons. And remember: The Bulldogs scored a rare recent Southeastern District victory over Oscar Smith — a 29-23 win in 2017 that snapped the Tigers’ 99-game district winning streak.

Also this week: Churchland at Lake Taylor, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21

Woodside vs. Phoebus at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.

The Phantoms dominated this game 43-0 last season, but Woodside and its massive offensive line might just tilt the balance — or at least make it much more competitive. The Wolverines were one and done in postseason last year with a shutout loss in Class 5 to Maury.

Oct. 28

Warhill at York, 7 p.m.

By the time these two rivals hook up at Bailey Field, the playoff picture should be coming into focus. Warhill’s chances of winning the undisputed Bay Rivers title slipped away last season when York returned an interception for a touchdown on the game’s final play. That memory, along with the Lions’ new-found mojo under coach Jerome Rhodes (24-7 in three seasons), should make for a meaningful game a week before the regular season ends.

Nov. 5

Oscar Smith vs. Phoebus at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.

The Tigers and Phantoms finally met in the regular season last year and it was a dud — Oscar Smith won 42-0. Phoebus has home-field advantage this time, and a Saturday kickoff. Either way, both teams are likely looking for momentum and some precious regular-season finale power points for playoff position.

Also this week: Lafayette vs. Warhill, 7 p.m. Nov. 4

Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com. Twitter @JamiVP