Neville: Brooke Point prepares to face GW-Danville in playoffs

High school football playoffs begin on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Brooke Point High School, which won the Commonwealth District title, hosts G.W. Danville in the first round. The Black-Hawks roll into the post-season with a four-game winning streak.

Senior Brian Hudson has thrown over 20 touchdown passes this season. Gershom Reed has done a nice job filling in for senior Chase Barnett, who suffered a season-ending injury while playing against Massaponax High School. Reed rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown in Brooke Point’s season finale at Colonial Forge High School.

These same two teams met in the opening round of the Northwest Region playoffs last season, with G.W. Danville winning 48-21 at home. This year’s outcome might be different with the Black-Hawks being at home.

The Group AAA state field hockey tournament begins Nov. 13 with the Commonwealth District sending two teams. Mountain View, which advanced to the state semifinals last season, played Princess Anne High School in the first round. Mountain View coach Patti Sullivan said a lot of preparation needs to take place.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do in a short period of time. Got to get the passing game, gotta contain their passes and get in their passing lanes,” Sullivan said.

The Wildcats won the Northwest Region championship Saturday with a 2-1 win over North Stafford High School. The Wolverines will open the state tournament against defending state champ Frank Cox High School.

North Stafford coach Laura Cwick told her team after the loss to Mountain View not to hang their heads.

“That’s what I reminded the girls: Only eight teams out of the state of Virginia make it,” she said. “They have hit every single goal they’ve set.”

And, in cross country news, the 2008 cross country season came to an end Saturday with a very happy ending for Mountain View High School senior Thomas Porter. He won the boys’ individual championship with a time of 15:31. He helped the Wildcats team to a fourth-place finish.

Mountain View junior Kaitlyn Davis finished fifth to help the Mountain View girls’ team to a 12th-place finish in the team competition. Her time was 18:31.

Colonial Forge High School senior Griff Ashooh also secured a berth in the top 10 with his ninth-place finish.

Mike Neville is sports director at the local Comcast cable channel. Contact him at info@stafford countysun.com.