8Sports Blitz Game of the Week preview: Petersburg at Armstrong

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — For this week’s 8Sports Blitz Game of the Week, fans will witness a battle between two of the Richmond region’s best teams — the Armstrong Wildcats and the Petersburg Crimson Wave.

The Crimson Wave are riding high from a commanding 42-0 victory over Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk last week, while the Wildcats are coming off an electrifying Week 1 win, which was sealed by a last-second Hail Mary touchdown.

Armstrong head coach Jeremy Pruitt acknowledged the challenge ahead, showing deep respect for his opponents.

“Much respect to Petersburg and [Head Coach] Mike Scott, I know he’s going to have those guys ready,” said Pruitt. “Armstrong versus Petersburg has always been a great matchup — a lot of speed, hard-hitting, tenacious activity to the ball, things of that nature. I know they will be prepared, but we will be prepared as well.”

A key player to watch in this game is Jahkei Chavis, the 6-foot senior who had an exceptional performance in many roles for Armstrong’s team in Week 1. Chavis was instrumental in his team’s victory, scoring on the ground, on special teams and even clinching the game with a sixth touchdown as time expired.

“I ran on the field, I jumped around. It was crazy, I’ve never been a part of anything like that,” said Pruitt about last week’s game.

Coach Mike Scott of Petersburg also had high praise for Chavis and the Armstrong squad.

“The Chavis kid, #3, is not a joke, he’s really that good,” said Scott. “If he was somewhere else, everyone would realize that, but he doesn’t need to go anywhere else because we realize that Mr. Chavis is good, and the other players are as well. Coach Pruitt is doing a good job over there at Armstrong.”

However, Petersburg is not to be underestimated. Coach Mike Scott highlighted his team’s toughness and resilience. “Man, they are tough. They will run into you; they don’t mind taking on anyone as far as it comes to physicality. And that’s our biggest strength—we don’t mind the toughness,” Scott commented on his squad.

When the two schools faced off last year, Armstrong came away with a 21-8 win, marking the first time Pruitt had bested his colleague Scott. As they prepare for this matchup, Scott reflected on what it will take to secure a win.

“It’s going to come down to who makes the least mistakes and who can make up the mistakes that are made, and also who’s going to stick together in the end as a team,” said Scott.

The highly anticipated game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night at Armstrong High School in Richmond. Be sure to tune into 8Sports Blitz on Friday night for a full recap of this week’s fan-voted 8Sports Blitz Game of the Week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.