Capsule previews for Friday’s games involving area teams

Blue Ridge District
Alleghany at Staunton River
w KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
w RECORDS:  Alleghany 6-2, 1-1 Blue Ridge; Staunton River 4-3, 1-0
w LAST WEEK: Alleghany beat Lord Botetourt 27-16; Staunton River was idle.
w FACTS: Staunton River is on a four-game winning streak since ending its 28-game losing skid in Week 4. This is the first district true test for the Golden Eagles in their first season in the Blue Ridge.

Dogwood District
Appomattox at Nelson County
w KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
w RECORDS:  Appomattox 5-2, 2-1 Dogwood; Nelson County 1-5, 0-2
w LAST WEEK: Appomattox lost to Altavista 19-6; Nelson County lost to Dan River 46-6.
w FACTS:  The Raiders had a five-game winning streak snapped by the Colonels (6-1) after opening the season with a loss to Buckingham (now 7-0). Nelson is coming off lopsided losses to Dogwood leader Gretna (36-14) and Dan River.

Chatham at Altavista
w KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
w RADIO: WKDE, 105.5-FM
w RECORDS:  Chatham 0-6, 0-2; Altavista 6-1, 2-1
w LAST WEEK: Chatham lost to William Campbell 34-32; Altavista beat Appomattox 19-6
w FACTS: The Cavaliers scored more points against the Generals than they had in their first five games (31). It was their first competitive contest after giving up nearly 31 points per game to date. Altavista, ranked third in Group A, Division 1, is seeking its first Region B playoff berth since 1990.

Dan River at Gretna
w KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
w RECORDS:  Dan River 5-2, 2-1 Dogwood; Gretna 5-1, 2-0
w LAST WEEK: Dan River beat Nelson County 46-6; Gretna was idle.
w FACTS: Gretna won the first meeting, a non-district duel, 27-21 at Dan River, using a goal-line stand in the final five minutes to hold on. The Wildcats have reached the five-win mark for the first time since 2001 and can strengthen their bid for their first Region B playoff bid with a victory over their Division 2 rivals.

Seminole District
Amherst at E.C. Glass
w SITE: City Stadium
w KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
w RADIO: WAMV, 1420-AM
w RECORDS:  E.C. Glass 1-7, 1-3 Seminole; Amherst 7-0, 4-0
w LAST WEEK: E.C. Glass lost to Heritage 31-11; Amherst beat Brookville 54-6
w FACTS: The Lancers have won the past three meetings against the Hilltoppers by a 142-6 margin. They racked up 510 rushing yards on 50 carries against Brookville, holding the Bees to 75 yards of total offense. Glass’ only win came three weeks ago against Rustburg, the only Seminole team without a district victory.

Jefferson Forest at Heritage
w KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
w RADIO: WBRG, 104.5-FM, 1050-AM
w RECORDS:  Jefferson Forest 4-3, 2-1; Heritage 2-5, 1-2
w LAST WEEK: Jefferson Forest lost to Liberty 28-21; Heritage beat E.C. Glass 31-11.
w FACTS: The Cavaliers may need to win out to earn a return trip to the Region III, Division 4, playoffs after blow-ing a 21-7 lead last week at Liberty. Heritage rebounded from back-to-back near upset wins over Harrisonburg and Brookville to beat up Lynchburg rival Glass, with QB Lakuan McPhaul, RB Tysheem Saunders and FB Rondell Hamlett each running for more than 100 yards.

Liberty at Rustburg
w KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
w RECORDS:  Liberty 7-1, 3-1; Rustburg 1-6, 0-3
w LAST WEEK: Liberty beat Jefferson Forest 28-21; Rustburg was idle.
w FACTS: Liberty scored 21 unanswered points to stage its second dramatic comeback of the year last week against the county rival Cavaliers in Bedford. The Minutemen opened the season with a 28-20 triumph at Broad-way after trailing 20-0 at the half.

VIC
Hargrave Military at LCA
w SITE: Liberty University’s Williams Stadium
w KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
w RADIO: WWMC, 90.9-FM
w RECORDS:  Hargrave Military Academy 1-5, 0-2 VIC; Liberty Christian Academy 7-1, 2-0
w LAST WEEK: Hargrave lost to Covenant 62-28; LCA beat Fork Union Military 28-0
w FACTS: The Bulldogs moved into No. 4 in this week’s VIS Division I poll, putting them in position for the fourth and final state playoff berth. They can clinch their eighth consecutive Virginia Independent Conference champi-onship with a victory tonight. Mike Rocco made his first start behind center since a preseason injury to his left wrist against FUMA, completing 12 of 20 passes for 147 yards and one TD. HMA has been outscored 248-80 this season. The Tigers have been shut out three times, including 40-0 by FUMA.