Week 6 was filled with high drama, and the playoff stakes only rise from here. Varina gave the No. 1 team in North Carolina its best shot, falling late, while Highland Springs thoroughly dominated Phoebus. Dinwiddie, Manchester, Thomas Dale, Louisa, Trinity Episcopal, Hanover and Caroline all remained unbeaten.

One other unbeaten is Benedictine, which found a way to erase a 14-point deficit to stun Gonzaga Prep in our nation’s capital on Friday. A pick-six off a Gonzaga shovel pass and a safety drew the Cadets to 14-8. 

Then, after a muffed punt by Benedictine, a Gonzaga field goal try was blocked. The Eagles turned another interception into another try for three points, and it, too, was blocked and returned by Malachi Mingo for a touchdown to tie the game with 5:13 left.

With three minutes left, Gonzaga tried a fake punt, but it was foiled and the Cadets took over just outside the red zone, scoring the winning touchdown thanks to Fred Dolan, with just 59 seconds remaining.

Championship teams find ways to win, and use all three phases. A tip of the hat to Benedictine.

WEEK 6 STANDOUTS

Antoine Richardson, Highland Springs: Richardson accounted for all four touchdowns in the Springers’ shut out of Phoebus 28-0, throwing for one and rushing for three. He added an interception on defense.

Joel Nicholson, Hanover: The Hawks rolled over Patrick Henry 49-14 as the quarterback threw for 219 yards and five touchdowns while adding 68 yards on the ground.

Navion Adams, Armstrong: A 116-yard, two-touchdown night on just seven carries as the Wildcats remained unbeaten with a win over Henrico.

Trey Wynn, New Kent: The junior rushed for 90 yards and a score, then added seven tackles, one for loss, in the Trojans’ 40-6 win over York, placing New Kent in second place in Class 3, Region A behind Lake Taylor.

UNSUNG HEROES

Jacob Boyd, Glen Allen: In an unexpected defensive battle, Boyd put the cherry on top with an interception late in the fourth as the Jaguars survived rival Deep Run 13-6.

Hezekiah Anderson, Richmond School For The Arts: The senior is making his presence known for the Bulldogs, registering fourteen tackles and three sacks as RSFA fell just short 27-24 to Monacan.

WEEK 7 GAME OF THE WEEK

Meadowbrook (4-1) at Prince George (3-2), Friday, 7pm

The Central District, and the Monarchs, take center stage again this week. After falling to Thomas Dale in the final minute Friday, Meadowbrook travels to meet a Royals team that is currently in the eighth and final playoff slot in Class 5, Region C. The Monarchs enter this game tied for third with Midlothian, with James River, Highland Springs, and Hermitage all within a point of Meadowbrook.

GAMES WE’RE WATCHING

Woodberry Forest (3-1) at #11 St. Christopher’s (5-1), Friday, 6:30pm

The first of back-to-back home games which could determine the Saints’ playoff fate, beginning with a Tigers team whose only loss is to Trinity Episcopal. With a victory, the Saints can then focus on the Titans, who visit next Friday.

Thomas Jefferson (4-2) at Douglas Freeman (2-3), Friday, 7pm

The Mavericks must stack wins, and fast, to try to stay alive in Class 5, Region C. After the Vikings come Deep Run, then a trip to Mills Godwin, two teams also in survival mode. Thomas Jefferson, coming off their 25-7 loss at Heritage-Lynchburg, needs to stack wins to at least ensure one playoff game at home in Class 2, Region A. First things first: win Friday to draw closer to clinching that bid.

GAMES UNDER THE RADAR

Mechanicsville (2-3) at #12 Hanover (5-0), Friday, 7pm

The Mustangs would love nothing more than spoil the Hawks’ perfect record. Hanover’s defense, led by Patrick Liptrap, will have to contain Mechanicsville tailback Brennan Ball, who has rushed for 643 yards in the Mustangs’ last three games. Hanover cannot look past their county rivals, with a trip to #3 Varina looming next week.

Spotsylvania (4-1) at Courtland (4-1), Friday, 7pm

Why are we looking north to this showdown? The Knights and Cougars enter week seven in sixth and seventh place respectively in Class 4, Region B, just ahead of Varina, who has a bye week. The winner keeps pace with the teams ahead of them, while the loser sees Powhatan get closer in their rear view mirror.

PLAYOFF RACE – THE LATEST

In Class 6, Region A, Oscar Smith holds a slight advantage over Thomas Dale and Manchester. L.C. Bird is in fifth, while Cosby holds sixth, just one-sixth of a point ahead of Landstown. Only six teams earn playoff berths in this region.

With their win over Deep Run, Glen Allen moves to second in Class 5, Region C behind unbeaten Patrick Henry of Roanoke. Despite defeats for both teams, Meadowbrook and Midlothian are tied for third, followed by James River, Highland Springs and Hermitage, now in seventh. The margin between second and seventh place is only 1.833 points. 

Hanover and Louisa are tied for first in Class 4, Region B with Huguenot just ⅕ of a point behind. Caroline is fourth, with Dinwiddie fifth. Unless Monacan or Atlee can get on a big winning streak down the stretch, it’s shaping up to be a nine-team race for eight playoff bids.

Petersburg is in fourth in Class 3, Region A, 1.3 points behind second place New Kent. Hopewell and Colonial Heights are sixth and seventh ahead of their showdown on Friday. Over in Class 3, Region B, Goochland is in seventh place comfortably, and could make a significant jump with an upset Friday at Louisa.

THEY “DID” IT

Down to their final play, James River was at the goal line needing a touchdown to tie, and an extra point to win at Powhatan. The Indians needed a goal-line stand to realistically keep their postseason hopes alive. Watch what unfolded on the video posted. Our thanks to Coach Willie Miles and Powhatan Athletics for the clip.

OUR FINAL PLAY

Recently we dropped a reminder to fans about behavior at games. Recent news out of North Carolina gives us a glimpse of what could happen if crowds decide to get out of hand.

The Charlotte Observer reports Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have implemented a new “limited ticket” policy for what it calls “high profile games.” A game between West Charlotte and Independence last week was held at a 4,100-seat facility, with only 1,050 tickets available.

The school system says the action was taken, and will continue this season, due to violence at recent games, which were not identified.

This action, noted by the report, also greatly affects the school’s athletic departments financially. You can imagine how much money was lost by selling 1,050 tickets instead of 4,100. 

In our area, ticket and concession sales at football games are heavy contributors to the athletic department budgets of schools. We now see there can be a direct, and extremely negative, impact by fans, coaches and others, when cooler heads do not prevail.

For decades, Charlotte and Richmond were compared to one another. This is one issue where the “Queen City” can keep its distinction.