For the first time ever, King’s Fork and Nansemond River are both 3-0 at the same time.
That means the road to the Southeastern District title goes through Suffolk.
Nansemond River, which last started a season 3-0 in 2017, upset defending Southeastern District champion Oscar Smith last week with a convincing 42-28 victory. It was Nansemond River’s first win over the Tigers since 2002. The Warriors, who have also beaten Bethel and Deep Creek, are averaging 45 points a game this season.
King’s Fork, which started 3-0 last season en route to a 6-0 start, has beaten Churchland, Western Branch and Great Bridge. The Bulldogs have allowed just 20 points this season and have a26-0 victory over then-No. 8 Western Branch.
The two Suffolk schools clash on Thursday when No. 5 Nansemond River travels to No. 6 King’s Fork at 7 p.m. The game, originally scheduled for Friday, was moved to avoid expected inclement weather.
“It’s a great matchup with two great football programs,” said King’s Fork coach Anthony Joffrion. “This game really highlights the talent and coaching that is in Suffolk. I think Suffolk is a growing city and the level of football will only continue to get better. I have a lot of respect for Coach (Alonzo) Ricks and what he’s done with the (Nansemond River) football program. This game is going to be sold out, and I think it’s great for our community and our student-athletes.”
Ricks also is looking forward to the game.
“It will be a game of two good teams that will bring their all trying to defeat each other,” he said. “The whole community of the great city and all of its dignitaries will more than likely be in attendance, so we are going to try and play as well as we can and execute the whole game.”
The Warriors, who have never won a Southeastern District title, are led by dual-threat quarterback Alkendric Overton, who has thrown for 745 yards and rushed for 224 with 10 total touchdowns. Defensively, Immanuel Ezeogu has three sacks and lineman Shimyael Holt, 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, has a team-high 13 tackles, including four for loss.
King’s Fork, which won a share of the district title with Oscar Smith in 2017, is led by quarterback D’andre Artis-Boone (32 of 47 passes for 453 yards, nine TDs) and running back JaVon Ford (315 yards, four TDs). The defense is led by Malachi Nixon (19 tackles), Dere’on Knight (13 tackles), Cameron McDaniel (10 tackles) and defensive back Kaevon Blanding, who has 12 tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception and hasn’t allowed a pass reception this season.
Nansemond River (3-0) at King’s Fork (3-0) at 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: King’s Fork 26-21. Marty’s pick: King’s Fork 27-26.
Thursday’s games
Note: Some games have been moved from Friday to Thursday to avoid expected inclement weather, and other changes could be made. For the latest schedule, visit 757Teamz.com.
757Teamz Top 15
No. 1 Maury (3-0) at No. 12 Lake Taylor (1-2), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Maury 42-14. Marty’s pick: Maury 38-13.
Gloucester (2-2) vs. No. 4 Warwick (4-0) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Warwick 55-0. Marty’s pick: Warwick 52-0.
New Kent (0-3) vs. No. 7 Warhill (4-0) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Warhill 41-6. Marty’s pick: Warhill 55-6.
No. 8 Oscar Smith (2-2) at Grassfield (1-2), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Oscar Smith 42-13. Marty’s pick: Oscar Smith 42-6.
Denbigh (0-3) vs. No. 13 Hampton (3-1) at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Hampton 35-6. Marty’s pick: Hampton 48-12.
Booker T. Washington (1-2) vs. No. 14 Granby (3-0) at Powhatan Field, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Granby 23-20. Marty’s pick: Granby 14-12.
Bay Rivers District
Poquoson (1-2) vs. Tabb (3-0) at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Tabb 35-24. Marty’s pick: Tabb 21-20.
Eastern District
Norview (2-2) at Churchland (2-2), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Churchland 34-24. Marty’s pick: Churchland 27-13.
Private schools
Atlantic Shores Christian at Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
St. Christopher’s at Norfolk Academy, 6:30 p.m.
Chincoteague at Greenbrier Christian, 7 p.m.
Friday’s games
757Teamz Top 15
Princess Anne (0-4) at No. 3 Green Run (4-0), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Green Run 48-13. Marty’s pick: Green Run 50-7.
No. 10 Lafayette (2-1) at Smithfield (1-2), 5:30 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Lafayette 34-14. Marty’s pick: Lafayette 45-7.
Salem (2-1) at No. 11 Cox (3-1), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Cox 27-23. Marty’s pick: Salem 27-24.
Deep Creek (1-2) at No. 15 Indian River (2-1), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Indian River 27-20. Marty’s pick: Indian River 35-13.
Bay Rivers District
Bruton (4-0) vs. Grafton (2-1) at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Bruton 26-23. Marty’s pick: Grafton 21-13.
York (0-3) vs. Jamestown (1-3) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: York 16-13. Marty’s pick: York 18-14.
Beach District
Bayside (2-2) at First Colonial (2-1), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Bayside 27-20. Marty’s pick: Bayside 34-20.
Ocean Lakes (1-3) at Kellam (1-2), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Ocean Lakes 14-13. Marty’s pick: Kellam 19-18.
Tallwood (1-2) at Kempsville (2-2), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Kempsville 27-26. Marty’s pick: Kempsville 20-10.
Peninsula District
Menchville (1-3) vs. Kecoughtan (1-3) at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Menchville 26-23. Marty’s pick: Menchville 21-19.
Heritage (1-2) vs. Woodside (0-4) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Heritage 20-13. Marty’s pick: Heritage 28-7.
Southeastern District
Hickory (1-2) vs. Great Bridge (0-3) at Great Bridge Middle, 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Hickory 24-21. Marty’s pick: Hickory 35-18.
Southampton (0-3) at Lakeland (0-3), 7 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Southampton 14-13. Marty’s pick: Southampton 21-6.
Private schools
Perquimans (N.C.) at Portsmouth Christian, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games
757Teamz Top 15
No. 2 Phoebus (3-0) vs. Bethel (2-2) at Darling Stadium, noon
Larry’s pick: Phoebus 55-7. Marty’s pick: Phoebus 42-0.
Eastern District
Norcom (2-1) at Manor (1-2), 2 p.m.
Larry’s pick: Norcom 27-13. Marty’s pick: Norcom 35-6.
How they fared
Larry Rubama: 21-4 last week, 71-19 overall (79.0%)
Marty O’Brien: 21-4 last week, 68-22 overall (76.0%)
Marty O’Brien, 757-247-4963, mjobrien@dailypress.com
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
