PREP FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK: Franklin County (1-3) at George Washington (2-2)

from staff reports

Published: October 2, 2008

3 KEYS TO VICTORY: FRANKLIN COUNTY
GET SOME POINTS ON THE BOARD
Ever since Franklin County’s season-opening win over E.C. Glass, the Eagles have scored fewer points in each game. Against a GW offense that is clicking on all cylinders, Franklin County cannot afford to let David Wilson and Tahron Goods bury them before the first quarter is over.

ATTACK THROUGH THE AIR
If there is any true weakness in George Washington’s defense, it will be what Parkland exposed on Monday and that is a lack of depth in the secondary. Parkland racked up close to 300 yards through the air, so if there is anything that Franklin County can exploit, it can be in the passing game.

BE PHYSICAL
Attacking George Washington at the point of attack will be critical to getting pressure on quarterback Tim Moore and hitting Wilson and Goods in the backfield before they can gain momentum in the secondary.

3 KEYS TO VICTORY: GEORGE WASHINGTON
ADD SOME VARIETY TO THE OFFENSE
Before long, defenses will find out that George Washington’s offense consists of handing the ball off to David Wilson and Tahron Goods and letting the senior backs pick up the yardage. Coach Dan Newell wants to incorporate more passing plays in the offense, which will come when sophomore Tim Moore becomes more comfortable with the Wing-T offense.

DEFENSE CONTINUING TO IMPROVE
Based on the scores, GW’s defense does not appear to be slowing any team down (34.75 points allowed per game). Though, by forcing five turnovers in the past two wins, including one defensive touchdown, the improved play has allowed the offense to put up enough points to help with any defensive shortcomings.

SCORE EARLY
George Washington has only scored six first-quarter points this season and has allowed 52. Though, the Eagles continue to run the ball, even when trying to get back into the game, so getting a lead may allow Newell to experiment on offense.

Other games:
Altavista at Chatham
WHERE: Chatham
KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Altavista 4-1, Chatham 1-4
LAST WEEK: Altavista defeated conference foe Nelson County 32-20; Chatham was drilled by Dan River 46-0
FACTS: Altavista’s four wins this season match the win total the Colonels had for the past two season combined (4-16). Look for coach Mike Scharnus to get the ball into the hands of all-district running back Jamison Robinson plenty of times to keep the Chatham offense off the field. The Cavaliers have fallen on hard times, losing four straight after a season-opening victory over Randolph-Henry.

Gretna at Nelson County
WHERE: Lovingston
KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Gretna 4-0, Nelson County 2-3
LAST WEEK: Gretna trounced Graham 42-3; Nelson County lost its Dogwood opener to Altavista 32-20.
FACTS: Gretna has four players averaging more than 60 yards per game, which has been a major reason the team is averaging 41.5 points per game while allowing 9.5 per game.

Dan River at William Campbell
WHERE: Naruna
KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Dan River 2-2, William Campbell 4-1
LAST WEEK: Dan River shut out Chatham 46-0; William Campbell throttled Appomattox County 58-7.
FACTS: The Wildcats are rolling on a two-game winning streak, with both victories over Chatham. Dantony Dickerson and Demarrio Hunt provide a balanced one-two punch in the running game for Dan River. Since William Campbell’s opening-day loss, the Generals have won four straight and outscored their opponents 167-7.

Dudley at Bartlett Yancey
WHERE: Yanceyville, N.C.
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Dudley 6-0, Bartlett Yancey 1-4
LAST WEEK: Dudley defeated Rockingham County 55-6; BY lost 35-8 to South Granville.
FACTS: Dudley is outscoring its opponents 198-54 this season, including two shutouts. BY’s offense has scored no more than 14 points in a game this season.