The road to the Southeastern District title goes through Chesapeake this week when four ranked teams converge for showdowns on back-to-back days.
On Friday, sixth-ranked Nansemond River travels to No. 14 Western Branch in a battle of unbeatens, and No. 2 Oscar Smith hosts eighth-ranked Indian River at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Nansemond River and Western Branch meet in an unbeaten showdown for the first time since 2022 — also the last time the Bruins were 3-0.
Nansemond River has won the past two meetings and five of the past seven, and this is the fourth consecutive season that the Warriors have started 2-0. Quarterback Tyrell Grant Jr., a Syracuse commit has completed 34 of 51 passes for 427 yards and six touchdowns and has rushed for 89 yards and three scores. His top receivers are Tavion Douglas (eight receptions, 145 yards, one TD), Quincy Gilmer (nine receptions, 71 yards, one TD) and Calvin Holloway (five receptions, 52 yards, one TD).
The Bruins are led by quarterback David Ortell, who has completed 31 of 54 passes for 547 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. His top receivers are Sage Greene-Sessoms (11 receptions, 219 yards, three TDs) and Craigory McNeil (five receptions, 139 yards).
On Saturday, two more prominent quarterbacks class: Oscar Smith’s Lonnie Andrews III (22 of 36, 324 yards, three TDs) and Indian River freshman Lord Malik Heru (26 of 32, 305 yards passing; 70 yards, two TDs rushing).
Oscar Smith has dominated this series. Since 2000, winning 24 of 25 matchups.
The lone time Indian River won was 2018 when they won the Southeastern District title.
Friday
No. 6 Nansemond River (2-0) at No. 14 Western Branch (3-0), 7 p.m.
Larry Rubama: Nansemond River 28-21. Marty O’Brien: Nansemond River 35-20.
Saturday
Indian River (2-0) at Oscar Smith (1-1), 1 p.m.
Larry: Oscar Smith 35-20. Marty: Oscar Smith 27-14.
Friday’s games
757Teamz Top 15
Cox (2-1) at No. 4 Green Run (3-0), 7 p.m.
Larry: Green Run 34-20. Marty: Green Run 35-13.
Great Bridge (0-2) at No. 5 King’s Fork (2-0), 7 p.m.
Larry: King’s Fork 41-13. Marty: King’s Fork 48-7.
Heritage (1-2) vs. No. 9 Warwick (1-2) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Warwick 31-13. Marty: Warwick 42-7.
No. 11 Salem (2-0) at Bayside (2-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Salem 27-23. Marty: Salem 31-21.
No. 13 Poquoson (3-0) vs. Grafton (1-2) at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.
Larry: Poquoson 35-13. Marty O’Brien:28-7.
No. 15 Churchland (3-0) at Henrico (0-2) , 7 p.m.
Larry: Churchland 33-13. Marty: Churchland 45-6.
Bay Rivers District
Smithfield (1-1) vs. Warhill (2-1) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Warhill 27-14. Marty: Smithfield 21-20.
York (1-1) at Gloucester (0-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: York 14-13. Marty: York 21-7.
Beach District
Kellam (1-1) at Ocean Lakes (1-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Kellam 21-20. Marty: Ocean Lakes 21-20.
Princess Anne (0-3) at Landstown (1-2), 7 p.m.
Larry: 44-0 . Marty: Landstown 35-6.
Tallwood (1-2) at First Colonial (0-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: Tallwood 34-13. Marty: Tallwood 35-0.
Eastern District
Booker T. Washington (0-2) at Lake Taylor (2-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Lake Taylor 34-16. Marty: Lake Taylor 60-6.
Norcom (0-3) at Manor (2-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Manor 20-13. Marty: Manor 14-7.
Norview (2-1) vs. Granby (0-3) at Powhatan Field, 7 p.m.
Larry: Granby 23-20. Marty: Granby 28-21
Peninsula District
Denbigh (1-2) vs. Bethel (1-2) at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Bethel 14-13. Marty: Bethel 35-14.
Southeastern District
Hickory (1-1) vs. Deep Creek (0-2) at Deep Creek Middle, 7 p.m.
Larry: Hickory 27-26 . Marty: Hickory 35-28.
Private schools
Catholic at Isle of Wight, 7 p.m.
Hampton Roads Academy at Nansemond-Suffolk, 7 p.m.
North Cross vs. Atlantic Shores Christian at Virginia Beach Sportsplex, 7 p.m.
St. Christopher’s at Norfolk Academy, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Private schools
Greenbrier Christian at Randolph-Macon Academy, 7 p.m.
How they fared
Larry: 23-1 last week, 59-13 overall (81.9%)
Marty: 21-3 last week, 61-11 overall (84.7%)
