St. Anne’s-Belfield (4-0) at Brunswick Academy (0-3), Thursday 7 p.m.
The basics: We’re a week away from STAB and Covenant’s 8-man clash that’ll likely be a preview of the VISFL championship game for the second-straight year, but the Saints have to wade through a matchup with winless Brunswick Academy before we get there. STAB poured on the points against Virginia Episcopal last week and while VES had some offense answers, the Saints rolled to the win because of an incredibly dynamic offense. Trying to stop Amani Woods is hard enough. Throw in Nic Reese and Isaiah Johnson has threats on any given play and opponents have a nightmare on their hands.
Key matchup: Brunswick’s defensive line tries to match up with the ground game and Woods in particular. Woods averaged better than a first down a week ago with guys like Luke Antesberger and Chase Holden clearing the way. Now they’ll face a Brunswick defense that has gotten mowed down much of the season, surrendering nearly 50 points per game.
Who to watch: STAB’s Nolan Bruton. Bruton has emerged as an answer at quarterback for a squad that didn’t know what was going to happen at that spot going into the year. Now they lean on Bruton with a dash of Nic Reese there thrown in for good measure, and it’s working. He went 8-for-14 for 156 yards a week ago against the Bishops.
The line: STAB by 28. Saints roll on the road here.
