The Duke’s Playoff Preview: Strasburg vs Central

11/21/25, Strasburg, VA– Strasburg High School hosts Central High School in the Region 2B Semifinals for tonight’s Dave’s Diversified Services Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com and The River 95.3 app with the Tana Hoffman Pregame show starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

Central is coming off a first round win over Fort Defiance which eliminated former Head Coach Mike Yew.

Fort took an early 7-0 lead before Central settled in and separated themselves at the beginning of the second half.

The Falcons offense continued to show one of the most balanced attacks in Class 2 led by Noah Moss at QB with 209 yards and two total TDs while Chris Brown went over 75 yards with two TDs.

Central’s defense adjusted to the power run game of Fort Defiance well after the early score and will need a similar performance against Strasburg to knock-off the #1 seed in Region 2B.

The Rams have had the benefit of a first round bye due to the new format of the Region 2B playoffs and will be rested for Round 2 against their Shenandoah County foe.

While Strasburg has looked like a team on a mission since the early loss to Broadway, these two teams always find ways to play each other tight.

Since 2022, the squads have played six times with half of those games played within one possession.

Central and Strasburg have split those recent six games 3-3, but Central is 2-0 in playoff matchups in the stretch.

The most recent addition came just 14 days ago and saw the game go down to the wire before a late Brady Knight touchdown.

Central did not go out quietly as they responded with a Kyle McCabe kick-off return for a touchdown to pause the Strasburg celebrations for a moment.

Strasburg was led in that game by the backfield of Knight with 128 yard and 2 TDs and the Bull Run District Offensive Player of the Year Quincy Williams who added 165 yards and a TD.

The Rams defense is anchored by Williams Player of the Year counterpart in Hutson Conrad and the Strasburg D-Line.

Conrad joins Gage Gutierrez and Jacob Britton as 1st Team All-District selections, and the front has wreaked havoc all season long.

The Rams rode their defense to a trip to Salem and the State Title game in 2024, but this year’s version actually has given up 8 less points during the regular season and allowed 13 less total yards per game.

While Central’s balanced attack and big play potential through WRs Sean Stead and Vincent Charity will make them a tough out for any team in Class 2, Strasburg’s ability to run the football and play elite defense along the frontline is a seemingly winning recipe for playoff football at any level.

The Rams will clean-up some of the mistakes seen in the regular season finale but so will Central.

I predict the game will add to the total of single score contests in recent years but Strasburg will finally tally their first playoff win against the Falcons in over 20 years (according to records available on MaxPreps), Strasburg 14 – Central 8.

For a look back at Round 1 of the playoffs, a preview of all Round 2 matchups and more, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.

The Duke’s Preview: Central @ Clarke County

Central heads to Berryville to take on Clarke County in the Dave’s Diversified Services Game of the Week tonight on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

Both teams are struggling this season much more than years past.

Some seniors on these squads have experienced an undefeated regular season for Clarke County and a State Championship run for Central, but that seems long ago at this point.

Central is sliding backwards and finds themselves in their first 3 game losing streak since the COVID shortened season, but the Falcons remain in the playoffs based on the Region 2B rankings and have everything they wanted to accomplish this season still in front of them.

Central’s offense boasts explosive play potential led by quarterback Noah Moss (51/85 908 yds 9TD 3INT) and receivers Vincent Charity and Sean Stead.

Both Charity and Stead average over 21 yards per catch and have combined for 7 of Moss’s 9 TDs.

While most teams in the Valley rush by committee, Chris Brown leads the region with 109 carries, just one of two backs in the area with over 100 carries.

The bell-cow is efficient averaging 5.5 yards per carry and adding 7 TDs.

Brown also leads the defense in tackles (43) from his linebacker position.

Central’s defensive line led by Tavion Dodson, Matthew Folk, and Carter Steed add 3 sacks a piece.

The Central defense is looking forward to a struggling Clarke County offense after allowing 42 points in the loss to Skyline last week.

Clarke’s offense has yet to find its way for this young and inexperienced roster.

Last week, the offense was kept in the negatives for total yardage thanks to some bad snaps and has only scored two offensive touchdowns all season.

Ball control through stringing together first downs and avoiding penalties will be the key for the Eagles to keep this one close.

Sophomore running back Grady Ferrell runs hard and averages 4.1 yards per carry with many of those coming after early contact.

Ferrell is the other area back joining Brown with over 100 carries.

The Clarke County defense is anchored by one of two seniors on the roster, Joseph Stem, and he has led by example with 26 tackles and special teams touchdown on a fumble recovery.

The defense will need to play fundamentally sound football to keep Central’s playmakers in front of them and watch for the underneath plays to Stead that often lead to big gains.

I look for Clarke County to continue to take steps forward but Central’s offense should be able to put up enough points regardless to keep this game out of reach, Central wins 34-6.

For a look at all of the upcoming games, a look back at last week, and more, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.