As shown on Recruit757.com - http://www.recruit757.com/playoff-position-stake-bethel-denbigh-clash/
Bethel (4-4) vs. Denbigh (4-3), Friday 7:00, Todd Stadium (Newport News)
Bethel QB/WR/DB T.C. Chisley (Photo: Sam Mizelle/recruit757)
Amid the noise and festivities surrounding Denbigh’s 50th Homecoming celebration, an important football game with playoff implications will be played at Todd Stadium on Friday night.
Bethel, which needed two fourth quarter “pick-six” returns to escape Todd last week with a 24-6 win over Menchville, will travel back to Newport News to face a sturdy Denbigh squad, one which took Woodside to the brink before faltering 14-9.
This game should be low scoring and could go to either team. The Bruins, who led Woodside at halftime 13-6 two weeks ago, is recovering from a sluggish offensive effort last week. Bethel completed only three of 16 passes, and trailed the winless Monarchs 6-3 early in the fourth quarter before two interceptions, by T.C. Chisley and Jordan Hill, were returned for touchdowns, which gave the Bruins some breathing room.
The Bruins quarterback situation has been a rotating wheel all week, and it is uncertain who will start on Friday. Coach William Beverley split time between Navarro Price and Lekendrell Lowther earlier this year, but last week saw a new starter – Chisley, who completed three of seven passes for seven yards, before giving way to Lowther. Bethel converted seven of 14 throws against Menchville, but for a paltry 55 yards. The ground game was adequate, with 144 yards on 37 carries. Still, the Bruins scoring average is a tad below 16 ppg, ranking eighth in the Peninsula District.
Fortunately, the Bethel defense has held tight, allowing 106.9 yards per outing.
Denbigh’s close loss to Woodside was tough for Coach Marcellus Harris’ team, but shows that the Patriots, who entered the game with a 4-2 mark, are truly a playoff contender.
The Denbigh defense gave Wolverine quarterback Tyhier Tyler fits last week, holding the fleet footed QB to two yards rushing. As a whole, the Patriots outgained Woodside 181-164, which is a credit to the defensive unit.
Quarterback L.J. Taylor remains the linchpin to the Patriot offense. Taylor was busy against Woodside, throwing 28 passes, and completing 15 for 144 yards.
Bethel, currently fifth in the 5A South (East) rankings, needs a win to retain any hopes of a home playoff game, while Denbigh, fourth in the 4A East (Tidewater) section, will probably not catch third seed Kings Fork, but needs the victory to hold off challenges from Smithfield and Grafton in order to secure a home playoff contest.
Prediction -- Denbigh 20, Bethel 14 (OT)
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