Varsity football travels to Powhatan High School on Friday, October 28, seeking eighth win of the season. The Powhatan Indians enter the game with a four game winning streak against the Trojans. The Indians defeated the Trojans last year 42-7 at F.W Poates Stadium.
The Trojans moved to 7-1 last week, defeating the George Wythe Bulldogs 49-6. Powhatan fell to 6-2 after losing to LC Bird 24-7.
Friday night’s match up will hold playoff implications for both teams. The Trojans need to win to hold on their second place ranking in Region 5C. Powhatan, ranked seventh in Region 4B, needs to win just to keep their playoff hopes alive.
It is business as usual for the Trojans who plan to use the same strategy of setting the tone for play through tough football.
“During practice, we have focused on being a physical team while playing together and not worrying about what the other team does,” Coach Matt Hutchings said.
The Trojans will continue to rely on key offensive and defensive players to propel their success.
“Ashby Berry just went over 1000 yards on the season. Cooper Meads and Drew Kleski are a great compliment to him. Gabe Semidey and Makhi Jackson lead a solid defense that has 4 shutouts this year,” Matt Hutchings said.
Senior running back Ashby Berry averages over 130 yards rushing per game and has 13 rushing touchdowns on the season. Defensively, the Trojans have caused chaos for opposing offenses, racking up 33 tackles for loss on the season. Their game plane will focus primarily on running the football while trusting the defense led by Semidey and Jackson to step up and make big plays.
“We have to remain focused. At this point in the season there are no more easy games. Two rivalries and then the playoffs. We have to take it week by week,” Hutchings said.
