Goochland (10-1) vs. Handley (10-0)

By Tommy Keeler -- tkeeler@nvdaily.com

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Handley High School, Winchester

Who to watch: Goochland -- Willie Ezell, senior, RB (714 yards, seven TDs); Dustin Plummer, junior, RB (895 yards, 12 TDs); Matthew Henley, senior, QB (22-for-51 passing for 392 yards, four TDs); Divontea McLaughlin, sophomore, DE (27 tackles, five sacks); Patrick Clore, sophomore, LB (75 tackles). Handley -- Jeremiah Wilson, senior, RB (694 yards, eight TDs); Geremi Long, senior, QB (67-for-131 passing for 870 yards, 11 TDs); David Carter, senior, WR (19 receptions, 350 yards, six TDs); Derek Dowrey, sophomore, DL (98 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions); Trae Peck, junior, DB (53 tackles, four interceptions).

Handley is as healthy as it has been since the first quarter of its first game this season. The extra week Handley had to get ready for the playoffs has proven very beneficial.

The biggest result from the extra week is that it allowed University of Maryland commit Jeremiah Wilson to get healthy. Wilson, who has been out for the last six weeks, began practicing with the team for the first time on Monday. Wilson said things were going well, but he was still getting used to running in practice again.

"I feel fine," Wilson said after practice Tuesday. "It's more mental right now. It's all in my head."

Handley quarterback Geremi Long said just having Wilson back at practice gave the team "a big morale boost."

Wilson is still the Judges' leading rusher with 694 yards on just 59 carries.

Wilson's return has caused headaches for Goochland coach Joe Fowler.

"We're not really sure what to expect from him," Fowler said. "We haven't been able to watch a lot of film on him, because he's been hurt. We watched some highlights on him. He's electric."

Goochland has plenty of weapons of its own. The Bulldogs like to run out of the wing-T, which Handley hasn't seen all year. Dustin Plummer and Willie Ezell get the bulk of the team's carries and helped Goochland to a 21-0 win over Millbrook last week.

The Judges have been solid at stopping the run all season, allowing only 97.6 rushing yards per game. The Judges are giving up only 6.1 points per game in their last five contests.

Handley advanced to the Region II, Division 3 final last year, and the Judges realize the importance of not overlooking any opponent.

"They're going to be a tough team," Wilson said. "We have to prepare for them just like as if it were Millbrook or Sherando.

"We have to play our best if we want to beat them."

-- Tommy Keeler