High school playoff capsules for Nov. 15

George Washington, Gretna kick off their postseason runs against E.C. Glass and Nelson County…

Gretna’s Derrick Tucker Jr. (21) takes off downfield against the Chatham Cavaliers earlier this season. PHOTO: Davin Wilson/River City Sports.

№6 Nelson County at №3 Gretna

WHAT: Region 2C quarterfinals

RECORDS: Nelson County (5–5). Gretna (7–3)

LAST WEEK: Nelson County ended its regular season with a 50–12 loss to Altavista. Gretna capped its campaign with a 56–0 blanking of William Campbell.

FACTS: Playoff appearances for the Hawks are the norm as Gretna has made 15 in the past 20 years, including three state championships in that span. The same can’t be said for Nelson County as the Governors are making their first postseason in 22 years. Gretna enters as the №3 seed while Nelson County comes in as the №6. The Hawks are winners of their last three with two of those wins being shutouts while the Governors have lost their last two and three of their last five. Gretna is a team loaded with talent and will pose a formidable threat for Nelson County. Junior quarterback Rayshaun Logan can hurt opponents with his arms and his legs as he’s thrown for 2,254 yards and 28 touchdowns this season while rushing for another 181 and two scores. Senior Derrick Tucker Jr. and junior Khalil Waller form a two-head monster in the backfield with Tucker Jr. running for a team-high 587 yards and six touchdowns on 86 carries and Khalil Waller a team-high seven touchdowns and 555 yards on 73 rushes. Giggetts has been Logan’s favorite target this year with team-highs in catches (31), receiving yards (680) and touchdowns (seven), while senior Xavier Waller has proven a solid target as well, catching 24 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Miller has 272 yards and six touchdown catches on 25 receptions while Hicks finished with 267 yards and four touchdowns on 15 catches. Tucker Jr., junior Keyshawn Witcher and junior Tristan Tanks Jr. all have 100-plus yard receiving seasons with Witcher catching four touchdowns and Tanks Jr. three. Defensively, the Hawks have been paced by junior Raneer Jones’ 131 tackles while senior Shikem Witcher sits close behind with 108. Senior Rome Barbour, Miller and Hicks have played big roles on the defensive end for Gretna as well. Barbour, senior Matthew Gibson and sophomore Jaiden Davis lead with three sacks apiece. Miller has a team-high three interceptions while Smith has two. Barring a complete meltdown, the Hawks should make easy work of the Governors and advance to the regional semis.

George Washington sophomore Alex Brandon (2) takes off downfield against Bassett earlier this season. PHOTO: Davin Wilson/River City Sports.

№8 E.C. Glass at №1 George Washington

WHAT: Region 4D quarterfinals

RECORDS: E.C. Glass (5–5). George Washington (9–1).

LAST WEEK: E.C. Glass wrapped its season with a heartbreaking 21–14 loss to Rustburg in overtime. George Washington capped its season with a 48–6 win thumping of Tunstall on Senior Night.

FACTS: The 102nd meeting between the two schools, their second this year with GW victorious in the regular-season matchup, should be an exciting one. Both offenses have explosive capabilities with the Eagles posing a threat on the ground while the Hilltoppers will threaten through the air. GW is hoping senior running back Jaden Glenn can return after going doing with an ankle injury in the Eagles’ win over Bassett in Week 7. Before getting injured, Glenn had rushed for 970 yards and 13 touchdowns on 121 carries. If Glenn is unable to return, GW will still be formidable in the backfield with sophomore Alex Brandon (646 yards, eight touchdowns), seniors Nehemiah Cabell (518 yards, eight touchdowns) and Kaliq Hairston (313 yards, five touchdowns) filling in nicely for Glenn over the past few weeks. On the other end, E.C. Glass features an electric receiving corps consisting of seniors JT Osborne (512 yards, five touchdowns), Ace Thornton (242 yards, one touchdown), Jamar Smith (151 yards, one touchdown), Sam Treacy (135 yards, one touchdown) and Kymani Mosby (121 yards, two touchdowns). Senior quarterback Max Calloway has thrown for 983 yards and nine touchdowns for the Toppers while sophomore Jahlil Calloway finished with 285 passing yards and two touchdowns on 79 completions. GW has a formidable passing attack as well with Cabell throwing for 1,007 yards and 12 touchdowns on 88 completions. Junior David King (221 yards, two touchdowns) leads the receiving corps while sophomore Ta’Shon Nash (170 yards, two touchdowns) has provided a solid target as well for Cabell. Senior Patrick Taylor has caught 13 passes for 153 yards. When running the ball, the Hilltoppers will turn to Holloway (204 yards, three touchdowns) and sophomore Rayquann Rucker (164 yards, one touchdown). Defensively, E.C. Glass’s offense will have a tough time dealing with senior Avante Fitzgerald (58 tackles, 2.5 sacks), Hairston (51 tackles, sack), junior Antonio Matos (49 tackles, four interceptions), senior Talvin Holland (37 tackles, sack) and junior Jackson Dietz (35 tackles). Juniors Josh White, Donovan Reaves and Chris Law along with senior Ja’Vion Inge will play big roles as well for the Eagles. White, sophomore Triston Newby, junior Lamarcier Davis, senior Marquis Harcum and sophomore Naszir Wilson have an interception each for GW. Defensively, seniors Kaleb Brehm (92 tackles, 63 solo), Kaden Patrick (79 tackles) and juniors Roy Ricks Jr. (74 tackles), Tyler Harless (61 tackles) and Rucker (60 tackles) will prove tricky for the Eagles. If GW’s offense can stay multi-faceted and it’s defense can slow down Glass’s passing game, the Eagles should advance to their first regional semifinal since 2021.