Every game is a big one in the competitive Virginia Commonwealth Conference, and Friday night’s tilt between Isle of Wight Academy and Fuqua School is no exception.

Both teams come into the contest undefeated and vying for a spot in the VISAA state playoffs.

IWA travels to Farmville to take on Fuqua at 7 p.m.

Fuqua is 5-0 and coming off a 49-30 win over Tidewater Academy.

The Falcons have also had some close games. Fuqua beat Brunswick Academy 22-12, Fishburne Military 38-33, and had to come from behind to defeat Southampton Academy 28-24.

Dale Chapman said Fuqua is running some different plays on offense.

“I think they have a couple of kids who transferred in from public schools — a quarterback and running back,” he said.

“They are doing some different things offensively from the scouting report I have. They are throwing the ball more from the shotgun and the quarterback is running the ball more.”

Chapman said some of his starters will be returning from injuries they sustained in the first game against Bishop Sullivan.

“Our team has been riddled with injuries the first part of the season. Some of our key guys from the first game of the season have not been able to play,” Chapman said.

“Football is a game of numbers. I have been pleased with guys that played in place of starters that were out.”

Chapman knows the impact of this game on the standings.

“This is an important game and we have to play mistake-free football. We have to force them to make mistakes,” he said.

In other action this week:

Franklin (4-0) plays at West Point in a Thursday game at 7 p.m.

The Broncos beat the Pointers last year in a grudge game, which involved five Franklin players being suspended for their involvement in an altercation late in the game. West Point is 5-0 and is coming off a 45-22 win over Surry County.

The Pointers are averaging more than 46 points per game and are allowing just 13 points per game.

Southampton (1-2) plays its first-ever Southside District football game at Bluestone at 7:30 p.m. The Barons are 0-3 and have scored just 6 points in three games.

Windsor (2-2) plays at Northumberland at 7 p.m. The Indians are 3-0 and have given up just 33 points. Northumberland beat Arcadia 55-13 last Friday.

Southampton Academy (4-1) plays at Brunswick Academy in a key Virginia Commonwealth Conference game at 7 p.m.

The Raiders need a win to keep pace with Isle of Wight Academy, Fuqua, and Blessed Sacrament Huguenot. Brunswick Academy is 1-4 and lost to Isle of Wight Academy last Friday. BA’s only win came against Tidewater Academy.

Tidewater Academy has a bye this week.