Va Preps Predictions for Region IV/Div 3 Semi's

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#4 Tunstall Trojans (5-6) @ #1 Richlands Blue Tornado (10-0)

Friday, 730pm | Ernie Hicks Stadium, Richlands

 

Players to Watch

Tunstall: QB/DB Evan Huffman (Jr.), LB Brad Hylton (Soph.), RB/LB Elijah Motley (Sr.)

Richlands: RB/LB Devon Johnson (Sr.), QB/K Reece Strong (Sr.), OL Josh Hess (Sr.)

 

Tunstall is rewarded for its first playoff win since 1999 with a trip to Richlands to take on the defending region IV, division 3 champions. These two haven't met since 2002 when Richlands won 28-0 in a first round division 4 playoff game. Richlands is not quite the offensive juggernaut it was a season ago (averaging 44.7 points compared to 50.3 last season), but they've scored more than 38 in their past eight games. Tunstall has won three of four to get themselves into the region semifinals.

 

Why Tunstall Can Win: The Trojans should have plenty of confidence after they manhandled Marion 49-14 last week. Tunstall piled up 409 yards on the ground, led by Elijah Motley's 169 and Evan Huffman's 137 and led 35-7 at halftime. Defensively, they forced four turnovers and stifled Marion's spread offense for most of the night and, in the past four games, they're allowing just 13.5 points per game. That said, Richlands is not Marion and the Trojans will have to bring a similar effort on both sides of the ball if they want to have a shot at pulling off the upset this week.

 

Why Richlands Can Win: The Blue Tornado haven't lost a home playoff game since 2004 and they want another shot at a state title after falling to Poquoson in last year's championship game. With Devon Johnson (1,507 rushing yards, 21 TDs) and Reece Strong (1,475 passing yards, 20 TDs) and a veteran offensive line led by Josh Hess and Taylor Wade, Richlands' offense is balanced and explosive. Defensively, they've allowed 12.6 points per game, though that number is skewed as the Blue Tornado second and third-teamers have played plenty of minutes in the third and fourth quarters this year.

 

Prediction: Tunstall surprised me with their dominating win over Marion, but Richlands beat the Scarlet Hurricanes 49-0 in early October, as well. Richlands got an early surprise in last year's semifinals against Martinsville before pulling away for 63-19 win and I would expect them to be well prepared for this one. Richlands 45 Tunstall 14

 

VHSL-Reference.com Pick: Richlands

 

#3 Martinsville Bulldogs (6-5) @ #2 Cave Spring Knights(7-3)

Friday, 730pm | Bogle Stadium, Roanoke

 

Players to Watch

Martinsville: RB/DB Freddie Williams (Sr.), QB Ishmel Hairston (Sr.), LB Herman Jones (Sr.)

Cave Spring: RB Sam Wright (Sr.), QB/DB Tony Simmons (Sr.), TE/LB Jordan Bryant (Jr.)

 

Martinsville and Cave Spring will play for the second time this season. Martinsville is looking for its first regional final appearance since 2006, while Cave Spring is looking to make it three straight seasons with a shot at the region IV, division 3 title (they are 1-1 against Richlands over the past two years). The Knights won the first game between the two 50-29 on September 2nd behind 247 yards rushing from Sam Wright.

 

Why Martinsville Can Win: The Bulldogs come into this game having won four of their past five games, including last week's 46-0 rout of Abingdon in the first round. Martinsville's rushing attack has been led by Freddie Williams and quarterback Ishmel Hairston (both over 800 yards on the ground this year) and Cedric Tarpley has come on strong at the end of the season as a third option out of the backfield. The Bulldogs must have success early running the ball if they're going to hang in with Cave Spring, something they were unable to do in September.

 

Why Cave Spring Can Win: The Knights have the experience of deep playoff runs the past two seasons to lean on in this one and have a workhorse in Wright who had no trouble with the Martinsville defense in the first game. His 2,055 yards and 29 touchdowns led all AA rushers during the regular season. Wright suffered an ankle injury in the Knights' regular season finale loss to Hidden Valley, but the bye week should have him ready to go for this one. Additionally, Tony Simmons has taken over at quarterback for Reece Kingery (knee injury) and has forced defenses to adjust to two strong runners out of the backfield, but if Kingery plays, Simmons gives the Knights an added dimension at receiver.

 

Prediction: The key for both teams will be to establish the running game early. Both have allowed over 24 points per game this season, so I'd look for a high-scoring game. Cave Spring's dominance in the first game is too much to look past here, no matter how well Martinsville has played in recent weeks. Cave Spring 41 Martinsville 28

 

VHSL-Reference.com Pick: Cave Spring

 

 

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