Football Game Preview: Deep Creek Hornets vs. Indian River Braves + How To Watch

The Deep Creek Hornets are taking a road trip to challenge the Indian River Braves at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Deep Creek has given up an average of 31 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Deep Creek is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 31 points last Friday, they were much more limited against Oscar Smith on Friday. They took a blow against the Tigers, falling 48-10. While losing is never fun, the Hornets can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Virginia football rankings (they are ranked 139th, while the Tigers are ranked first).

Meanwhile, Indian River entered their tilt with Nansemond River on Friday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They came within six points of losing the streak, but they secured a 31-25 W against the Warriors. The score was all tied up 13-13 at the break, but the Braves were the better team in the second half.

Deep Creek better keep an eye on Lord Malik Heru. He was instrumental in Indian River's win, throwing for 262 yards and four TDs, while also rushing for 88 yards. Another player making a difference was Jason Preston, who picked up 96 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Wins are hard to come by when you can't run the rock, something Indian River proved: they limited Nansemond River to a paltry one yards per carry. The Braves' ground attack was stronger, having averaged 5.1.

Indian River's record is now 5-1. As for Deep Creek, their defeat was their third straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 2-4.

Deep Creek was dealt a bruising 49-10 loss at the hands of Indian River in their previous meeting back in September of 2024. Can the Hornets avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.