Langley High School | Archive | October, 2008

By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C.

**Check back with DigitalSports throughout the week for video recaps of nearly every game in the Northern Region!!

**CLICK HERE FOR SCORES FROM EVERY GAME IN THE NORTHERN REGION!!

NORTHERN REGION WEEK 9:  BY THE NUMBERS
37.5 % – In the 2000s, Stuart has eight wins — an overall record of 8-79. Three of those eight wins came against Wakefield. That’s 37.5% of their victories, the highest percentage of one teams wins against a single opponent in the VHSL.
33 – Washington-Lee has not qualified for the playoffs since 1975. That’s 33 years. The Generals currently sit at the No. 6 seed in Division 5.
8 – Ten all-time meetings between Westfield and Oakton are separated by just 8 points, advantage: Bulldogs.
125-3 – Madison’s aggregate scoring advantage over McLean is 125-3. The Warhawks haven’t lost to the Highlanders since 1999.
12 – Centreville has beaten No. 6 Chantilly 12 straight years in the Sully Bowl, dating back to the Chargers’ state championship team in 1996.
4-1 – Three Patriot District teams enter Week 9 with a 4-1
record. If West Potomac beats No. 9 Annandale and Lake Braddock beats
West Springfield, there will be four teams with a 4-2 district record.
54.7 – In the last three seasons, Lake Braddock and West Springfield have posted a combined 54.7 points per game.
35 – No. 10 Mount Vernon scored 35 unanswered, second-half points last season against Yorktown, ultimately crippling the Patriot season.

Concorde District                                                        
No. 2 Oakton (8-0, 4-0) at No. 5 Westfield (7-1, 3-1)  — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.**Game will be covered by Phil Murphy.
If the playoffs started today, the Concorde District would claim the top four seeds in Division 6 — and this would be the match-up of No. 1 versus No. 2. This is the first time Westfield is playing a regular season game after a loss since Nov. 5, 2004, a 35-8 win at Chantilly (0-10).

Oakton left Robinson far from unscathed last week. They trailed 21-9 with :03 seconds left in the first half before Chris Coyer found Trey Watts for a 65-yard touchdown connection as time expired in the second quarter. Coyer would rush eight times for 136 yards after the break and propel the Cougars to a 43-31 win, but it was the most points they’ve allowed all season.

Since Westfield began fielding a varsity team in 2001, the Bulldogs are Cougars could hardly be more even. They have split the 10 meetings with Westfield holding an aggregate scoring advantage of just 208-200. But Oakton is 3-0 against Coach Verbanic‘s crew in the playoffs, with an average margin of victory of 22 points per game.

This one will be standing room only.

No. 4 Herndon (6-2, 3-1) at Robinson (3-5, 1-3) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
Sandwiched between games with the No. 2 Oakton and then-No. 4 Westfield for the Hornets stand the Rams, a team on the verge of their first losing season in over a decade. But Robinson nearly turned the Division 6 playoff scene on its head with an upset win last week, leading Oakton, 21-9, with under five seconds left in the first half.

However, a 65-yard, final-play touchdown allowed the Cougars to grab the momentum and they never fully relinquished it. But Robinson put more points on Oakton than anyone else has this season.

But Herndon is coming off the biggest win in program history, 29-28 in double-overtime over Westfield. But with that game behind them and Oakton themselves next week for a possible district championship, this may be the prime time for a Ram upheaval.

You never know what will happen with a Bendorf backed into a corner.

No. 6 Chantilly (6-2, 3-2) at Centreville (1-7, 0-4) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
Although the last two seasons have cemented the Chargers as a Northern Region powerhouse, the Wildcats have been a thorn in their side since current roster members were first-graders. Chantilly has a 12-game losing streak to Centreville dating back to its state championship in 1996. In last year’s Sully Bowl, the Wildcats held the Chargers scoreless for the first 47 minutes en route to a 19-6 victory.

With the Centreville mired in its most frustrating season in memory, Chantilly would like nothing more than to kick them while they are down. The Chargers — paced by Torrian Pace’s seven carries for 179 yards and 3 touchdowns — rolled up Fairfax, 42-6. The Wildcats, meanwhile, lost out of conference at Mount Vernon by 10.

Chantilly players and coaches are well aware of the losing streak — and, if not, they will be by reading this piece — and know the value of win here with No. 3 Edison looming next week.

Liberty District                                                         
No. 1 Stone Bridge (8-0, 5-0) at Jefferson (2-6, 1-4) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs have had their two lowest offensive outputs in each of the last two weeks, but won by a combined 73 points. And Stone Bridge’s lowest point total, 35, is more than Jefferson has scored all year.

Even without senior defensive end Zach Thompson, one of three Wake Forest signees, the Bulldog defense could pitch its third straight shutout. They’ve beaten the Colonials by a combined 98-0 over the last two seasons and a third straight 49-0 win may be in the works.

Langley (4-4, 3-2) at No. 8 W.T. Woodson (6-2, 5-0) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.**Game will be covered by Angela Watts.
The Saxons have beaten the Cavaliers the last three times they’ve met, outscoring Woodson 89-22 in those games. The Cavs’ last victory came in the 2004 Northern Region semifinal, which capped what was a four-game winning streak for them.

Woodson sits tied atop the Liberty District with a Week 10 game at No. 1 Stone Bridge looming, but they can’t sleep on Langley, who is able to grind out wins with the best of them.

Although the winner of this game has not scored less than 21 points in any of the last five match-ups, this has the makings of a low-scoring affair, with one or two turnovers being the deciding factor. Whoever wins the battle for ball security will take it.

A Week 10 game against McLean is not going to help the Saxons — the No. 9 team in Division 6 — at all with Power Points. Now, a victory over the 6-2 Cavaliers — the No. 6 seed in Division 6? That will punch Langley’s playoff ticket.

Marshall (3-5, 1-4) at South Lakes (2-6, 1-4) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
The Statesmen need back-to-back wins to close out the regular season to avoid their first sub-.500 season since 2004. Last season, a 51-0 home win over the Seahawks sparked Marshall’s improbable run to the Northern Region semifinals.

Last week, Marshall trailed Woodson by seven points with just 1:42 left, before a late touchdown pass to Max Waizenegger doubled the Cavaliers’ margin of victory.

Both of these teams are getting gradually healthier as the weeks pass. Their records are far-from-reflective of their talent.

McLean (0-8, 0-5) at Madison (4-4, 3-2) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
The Highlanders are scoring more points per game, 15.6, than they have in any other the last four seasons. But McLean needs a win over Madison or Langley, both 4-4, to avoid a winless regular season.

The Warhawks have beaten the Highlanders eight straight times by a total of 229-49. The last time McLean beat Madison was in 1999, a year in which the Warhawks went 1-9.

Over the last five seasons, the Warhawks hold a 125-3 scoring advantage.

National District                                                            
Washington-Lee (5-3, 3-1) at No. 3 Edison (8-0, 5-0) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
The Generals have been outscored 166-165 this season, but sit at the brink of their first playoff berth since 1975. But they enter their toughest stretch of schedule in the final two weeks.

First up are the Eagles, who have outscored them 341-27 since 1999 — an average of 35 points per game over nine meetings. Washington-Lee’s last win in the series came in Week 8 of 1997, 13-10.

Update on the Edison ground-game dominance: Angus Harper and Stephon Robertson have combined for 125 carries for 1,465 yards — 11.7 yards per carry — and 20 touchdowns in eight games

Stuart (1-7, 0-4) at Wakefield (2-6, 1-3) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
If one scratched the first three weeks of the season, the Warriors would be a playoff team. Same goes for Stuart, but you would have the keep the first four games and cut things out after that. Point: Both teams have had night-and-day turn-arounds since Week 1, but Wakefield’s is infinitely more desirable.

The Warriors are 2-3 in their last five games, but had fourth-quarter drives ended by the game clock in last two weeks against Washington-Lee and Yorktown. The Raiders finally got their offense kick-started last week against the Generals, but have lost a handful of players due to injury and departure.

Stuart has eight wins since 2000; three have come against Wakefield.

No. 10 Mount Vernon (6-2, 3-1) at Yorktown (5-3, 3-1) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m. **Game will be covered by Jimmy Thomas.
These teams have grossly contrasting styles, but there is no game with greater effect on the Division 5 playoff picture than this match-up between the Majors and Patriots. If the playoffs started today, these are your No. 3 and No. 4 seeds — Mount Vernon and Yorktown, respectively. Yorktown travels to Washington-Lee in Week 10 and that game, coupled with this one, will determine second place in the National District.

The recent history between these teams only adds to the anticipation for this game.

Coming
into last season, the Patriots had four consecutive victories over the Majors, the last two by a collective 69 points. Yorktown
needed a Week 9 win over Mount Vernon to almost assuredly lock up a home,
first-round playoff game. And with a 6-0 lead at the half, the victory
was nearly in hand. However, the Majors scored 35 unanswered
second-half points to thump the Patriots, 35-6. Yorktown, consequently,
had to travel to Edison in the first round of the playoffs.

It lost,
48-18.

Patriot District                                                       
West Springfield (5-3, 4-1) at Lake Braddock (4-4, 2-3) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
No one expected seven combined losses — four in conference — when these teams were slated to meet in Week 9. But the Bruins had their hearts broken by South County and T.C. Williams in successive weeks. And the Spartans were more healthy coming out of the Battle of Thermopylae. Quarterback Bryn Renner is expected to start, coming off a sprained shoulder suffered in Week 7.

Nonetheless, West Springfield controls its own playoff destiny, as it has beaten both Annandale and South County, the other two Patriot teams tied atop the district. And if West Potomac stops red-hot Annandale on the road, West Springfield would still be in control of its own fate should they lose to Lake Braddock tonight.

But when the banged-up Spartans and blood-thirsty Bruins meet in Burke — say that three times fast — expect the boys to be hitting as hard as they have all season. This rivalry is likely the best outside of the Concorde District.

Lake Braddock and West Springfield have posted a collective 54.7 points per game over the last three meetings.

Hayfield (1-7, 0-5) at No. 7 South County (5-3, 4-1) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
It takes less than 20 minutes to drive from the Stallion campus to the Hawks’ Nest, but these teams have been separated by more than that on the gridiron this season. Hayfield has played closer-than-expected games with West Potomac, Annandale, T.C. Williams and Lee, but are on the verge of its third straight winless district season. Hayfield is 0-3 all-time against South County.

The Stallions looked like Mustangs with all the offense they are putting up in district play. They are scoring a hair under 32 points per game and their only loss came by 10 points at West Springfield. But the physical South County forced four Spartan starters to the sidelines.

Last week, in a shutout win against West Potomac — which was coming off a state-record passing performance by senior Cole Walter — four different Stallions scored touchdowns. And that doesn’t include all-everything fullback/linebacker J.B. Bullock, who scored four TDs in the West Springfield loss. Bullock, though, recorded an interception, two fumbles forced, a fumble recovery, two tackles for loss and three sacks on defense.

Holler.

West Potomac (5-3, 3-2) at No. 9 Annandale (5-3, 4-1) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
Outside of No. 4 Herndon, there is no team hotter than No. 9 Annandale. And outside of a few unnamed units, there is a short list of teams in more need of a win than West Potomac.

After starting the season 5-0, with marquee wins over Mount Vernon, Yorktown and — at the time — Centrevillle, the Wolverines have lost three straight and find themselves in free fall with the ledge of playoff elimination fast approaching. A 38-0 road loss last week to No. 7 South County did not help the cause.

The Atoms currently sit tenth in the Division 6 playoff power ratings, but are coming off their first “quality” win, 34-7 at Lake Braddock. Annandale’s final two opponents have a combined record of 10-6, so they are in control of their own playoff destiny. And if West Springfield loses either of its final two games, the Week 10 game against South County will determine the Patriot District champion.

Don’t sleep on West Potomac, though, they’re down, but not out.

T.C. Williams (3-5, 3-3) at Lee (2-6, 1-4) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
Last season, coming off its first win of the season, the Lancers stunned the Titans on the road, 13-7, in what ultimately clinched a playoff berth. But last week, T.C. Williams notched the upset of the season with a two-point over West Springfield, a Spartan unit riddled with injury.

But since Coach Everett’s squad moved into the Patriot District in his first season, 2005, Robert E(verett) Lee is unbeaten against T.C., outscoring the mighty Titans 60-31 in that span.

With similar playoff consequences as last season, Lee will need a similar performance to last week’s win over Hayfield. After the Hawks’ game-opening scoring drive, the Lancers allowed two total first downs and senior running back Jazmier Williams outgained Hayfield as team, 200-118.

Non-District Games                                                        
Falls Church (0-8, 0-5) at Fairfax (3-5, 1-4) — Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.

Both the Rebels and Jaguars were on the wrong end of one-sided defeats last week. Fairfax allowed four touchdowns of 45 yards or more in a 42-6 loss to No. 6 Chantilly. Falls Church, meanwhile, allowed two non-offensive touchdowns to No. 3 Edison — which was without either Washington brother — in a 45-6 home loss. But Jaguar quarterback Sam Gerima went down with a knee injury in the first quarter of that game and did not return.

If the Rebels can return to their running game of weeks past, they should find themselves with a comfortable home win.

Falls Church has the potential to put up points, but its 16.8 points per game scored is the team’s lowest total since 2003.

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

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By Jimmy Thomas
Content Manager, Northern Region

**Click the tabs above the video player for dozens of video highlights and a photo gallery**

Stone Bridge Coach Jill Raschiatore tried not to make a big deal about Thursday’s match-up with last season’s Northern Region champion — and Liberty district foe — Langley. But with both teams entering the match undefeated in district play that was nearly impossible to do.

Despite a rowdy crowd in attendance for the Saxon’s Senior Night festivities, the Bulldogs fought back and took the match in dramatic fashion, 3-2.

“I had been trying to play it down,” Raschiatore said. “I know they read the papers and check the internet. The girls knew this was a big game and they were really pumped up to start the match.”

Langley, which came in riding an eight-game win steak, captured the first game, 25-12, and took an early, five-point lead in the second. But that’s when Stone Bridge began to battle back — as it did all night — to take Game 2, 28-18.

The Saxons rallied in the third game, and did not trail at any point in what proved a 25-22 victory. But it was in the fourth game where the momentum shifted in the Bulldogs’ favor. Langley held a 23-19 and seemed poised to end the match, but that was before Stone Bridge sophomore outside hitter Christine Beckham took over.

“She was on fire,” Raschiatore said of Beckham. “[Setter] Lilly Vera really made smart decisions and got her the ball whenever we could. They started to key on Christine and it helped everyone else to contribute. It was really a team win.”

The Bulldogs scored four of the next five points — and fought off two Saxon match-points — to win the fourth game, 26-24, and force a deciding fifth game. That final contest was never in question, though, as Stone Bridge won, 15-12, taking the match and tainting the Senior Night celebration in the process. 

But with the Liberty District tournament just around the corner, these two teams will likely meet again down the road.

“I love playing against teams with great sportsmanship, “Raschiatore said just as Langley Coach Susan Shifflett congratulated her on the win. “When Langley has great passes and are setting to anyone they want, they are unstoppable. My gosh they are a tough team.

“Our girls were just determined tonight. It’s a game of momentum, and if we see them again it will come down to whatever team steps it up on the court that night.”

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By: Jimmy Thomas
Content Manager/DigitalSports.com

*Top 15 competitors in each race will advance to the Northern Region Championship 10/30 at Burke Lake Park

Concorde District-Boys Results

1. Jared Berman(RB) 15:21.11; 2. Christopher Foley(CH) 15:24.31; 3. Neal Hendricks(OK) 15:33.44; 4. Andrew McCullen(OK) 15:35.03; 5. Stuart Steen(RB) 15:37.27; 6. Todd Van Luling(HN) 15:37.91; 7. Patrick Fulghum(OK) 15:38.83; 8. Dan Grimm(CV) 15:40.06; 9. Yazid Zouaimia(CV) 15:48.62; 10. Ethan Paster(FX) 15:50.01; 11. Jack Canatsey(WF) 15:57.75; 12. Mattson Heiner(CV) 15:59.40; 13. Eric Flanagan(RB) 15:59.86; 14. Dante Morales(OK) 16:00.17; 15. Benjamin Wittig(RB) 16:06.90.

Concorde District-Girls Results

1. Stephanie Bray(RB) 18:21.51; 2. Becca Kassabian(OK) 18.26.41; 3. Hiruni Wijayaratne(HN) 18:27.79; 4. Lanie Smith(OK) 18:30.74; 5. Carolyn Hennessey(HN) 18:38.66; 6. Rachel Grochowski(CH) 18:39.34; 7. Barbara Platenberg(RB) 18:41.70; 8. Carly Kulik(HN) 18:44.10; 9. Monika Criman(RB) 18:45.31; 10. Katie Robertson(FX) 18:48.83; 11. Kelly Kavanaugh(RB) 18:57.89; 12. Jeannine Molleda(RB) 19:02.70; 13. Kathryn Berlin(OK) 19:05.76; 14. Frances Dowd(FX) 19:08.76; 15. Jessica Wilds(HN) 19:13.25.

Liberty District-Boys Results

1. Alexander Witko(TJ) 15:57.39; 2. Cameron Keys(WT) 16:00.44; 3. Timmy Galvin(TJ) 16:04.61; 4. Logan Gates(TJ) 16:05.24; 5. Colin Maloney(TJ) 16:11.09; 6. Jimmy Wu(TJ) 16:12.64; 7. Matthew Sollinger(MD) 16:16.02; 8. Ethan Katz(WT) 16:18.58; 9. Max Dreo(TJ) 16:19.65; 10. Joey Jachowski(TJ) 16:26.77; 11. Joseph Thompson(ML) 16:27.24; 12. Josh Chartier(WT) 16:29.75; 13. Tommy Bylund(LG) 16:34.34; 14. Alex Miller(WT) 16:36.21; 15. Will Sickenberger(SL) 16:37.08.

Liberty District-Girls Results

1. Stephanie Marzen(TJ) 18:00.10; 2. Stephanie Paradis(SB) 18:00.39; 3. Sarah Stites(TJ) 18:04.07; 4. Erica Howes(WT) 18:06.00; 5. Lisa Junta(TJ) 18.20.14; 6. Katherine Sheridan(TJ) 18:31.20; 7. Lauren Shaw(LG) 18:44.72; 8. Carrie Payne(WT) 18:54.25; 9. Amanda Steffy(LG) 18:59.97; 10. Neesha Schnepf(TJ) 19:09.93; 11. Rekha Schnepf(TJ) 19:12.00; 12. Carolyn Shaw(LG) 19:14.04; 13. Brigid Byrne(MD) 19:17.44; 14. Sarah Nielsen(TJ) 19:33.63; 15. Sarah Haight(WT) 19:47.66.


*Top four teams will advance to the Northern Region Championship 10/30 at Burke Lake Park

Concorde District-Boys Team Results

1. Oakton- 1:19:02.66; 2. Robinson- 1:19:19.69; 3. Centreville- 1:21:15.36; 4. Herndon- 1:22:42.66; 5. Chantilly- 1:23:24.13; 6. Westfield- 1:24:38.34; 7. Fairfax- 1:26:16.16

Concorde District-Girls Team Results

1. Robinson- 1:33:49.11; 2. Herndon- 1:34:32. 86; 3. Oakton- 1:34:44.75; 4. Westfield- 1:38:58.14; 5. Chantilly- 1:38:54.65; 6. Fairfax- 1:42:18.14; 7. Centreville- 1:40:58.75

Liberty District-Boys Team Results

1. Thomas Jefferson- 1:20:30.97; 2. Woodson- 1:22:04.38; 3. South Lakes- 1:24:16.11; 4. Stone Bridge- 1:26:06.39; 5. Langley- 1:26:01.58; 6. McLean- 1:26:27.71; 7. Madison- 1:26:38.42; 8. Marshall- 1:27:57.21

Liberty District-Girls Team Results

1. Thomas Jefferson- 1:32:05.44; 2. Woodson- 1:37:08.92; 3. Langley- 1:38:42.93; 4. Stone Bridge- 1:39:59.59; 5. Madison- 1:45:58.68; 6. McLean- 1:45.12.91; 7. South Lakes- 1:47:00.82; 8. Marshall- 1:47:21.85

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By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Editor, Washington D.C.

**Check back with DigitalSports throughout the week for video recaps of nearly every game in the Northern Region!!

**CLICK HERE FOR LIVE WEEK 8 SCORES!!**

NORTHERN REGION WEEK 8:  BY THE NUMBERS
-6 – Last week against McLean, South Lakes allowed -6 yards rushing on 21 carries. But 85 first-half penalty yards kept it competitive for four quarters.
1-4 – Fairfax is 1-4 when scoring first this season, but 2-0 when letting the opposition get the jump.
0-16 – Washington-Lee is 0-16 this decade against its final two opponents, No. 3 Edison and Yorktown. In those games, it has been outscored by a total of 452 points.
208 – In a 33-point second quarter that included a defensive touchdown, Edison ran four offensive plays for 208 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 57-6 win over Stuart..
5- Woodson defensive back Sam Burt has five interceptions against Marshall in the last two seasons.
38- Wakefield and Yorktown allowed a combined 38 unanswered, second-half points last week in critical losses. They face off in Week 8 starving for victory.

Concorde District                                                        
Robinson (3-4, 1-2) at No. 2 Oakton (7-0, 3-0) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
— Def. — trap game – (chrap’ geym) — n., sing. — 1. The week before a gridiron game between expected-to-be 8-0 teams, a contest that may be overlooked and unexpectedly ruin an otherwise perfect season. See also: UNLV 23, Arizona State 20 (OT)
— Ex: No. 2 Oakton’s Week 8 game against perennial playoff participant Robinson a week before its trip to No. 4 Westfield.
— Syn. — Sleeper

Robinson needs two wins in its final three games — at Oakton, versus Herndon, at Fairfax — to avoid its first sub.-500 season in decades.

No. 6 Chantilly (5-2, 2-2) at Fairfax (3-4, 1-3) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Chargers returned to the Concorde win column last week against the Rams and did not need to complete a pass to do it. Their running game is that good.

The Rebels — again — scored first last week against the Bulldogs and — again — lost. They are 1-4 when putting up the first points, but 2-0 when allowing the opponent to strike first blood. And odd stat considering this is one of the most hard-nosed teams around.

Chantilly has won the last four games in this series by an average score of 35-5.

No. 4 Westfield (7-0, 3-0) at No. 7 Herndon (5-2, 2-1) — Saturday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
Entering the season, the modest number of returning starters would make it hard to believe that the Hornets could equal their win total from last year in only seven weeks.  

And entering the season, the minute number of returning starters would make it tough to fathom the still-unbeaten Bulldogs staring down their fifth undefeated regular season in the last seven years.

This Homecoming game – by the way, Westfield as a Homecoming opponent? – will assuredly be closer than the last six meetings and will determine who owns sole possession of second place in the district through eight weeks. The Bulldogs are 6-0 all-time against the Hornets, with a 178-14 scoring advantage. Four of those six wins have been shutouts, including the last two.

Liberty District                                                         
No. 1 Stone Bridge (7-0, 4-0) at Madison (4-3, 3-1) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
How good are the Bulldogs? Coach Mickey Thompson was less-than-pleased with Stone Bridge in last week’s 38-0 win over border-line-playoff-participant Langley,

I mean, sure, it was the first time this year they didn’t post 40 points.

This match-up doesn’t have the appeal of last season’s game, in which both teams entered at 7-0, an eventual, 27-7 Bulldog win.

No. 8 W.T. Woodson (5-2, 4-0) at Marshall (3-4, 1-3) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
Although the Cavaliers have not lost to the Statesmen since this game’s participants were in Pampers, this series has been one of the most hotly-contested in the last three seasons.

A three-point Woodson win in 2005 was followed by one-point, overtime Cavalier road win in 2006 in a game decided by a missed Statesmen extra point. Last year, through a monsoon, Woodson receiver Max Waizenegger caught three touchdown passes and defensive back Sam Burt had two interceptions.

Burt, in 2006, picked off Marshall three times, totaling five interceptions in two games. So Harold Sweet, Jordan Stalcup, J.T. Biddison, or whomever lines up under center for the Baby Blues, avoid throwing in the same zip code as No. 8.

South Lakes (2-5, 1-3) at Langley (3-4, 2-2) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
The healthier the Seahawks are, the more dangerous they become. A 14-point road win over McLean fails to do South Lakes’ dominance justice. It held the Highlanders to -6 rushing yards on 21 carries.

The win would have assuredly been visibly more one-sided if not for 85 first-half penalty yards.

Last week, the Saxons gave Stone Bridge its biggest test to date, but was still shut out. Quarterback Patrick Kelly was effective, rolling up 168 yards and completing 13 passes. But the Bulldogs forced three interceptions and held the Saxons to 13 rushing yards on 20 carries.

If South Lakes can repeat its dominating linebacker and interior line play in the running game of last week, Langley’s vice grip in this series may loosen. The Saxons have won the last four games by a combined 131-20.

Jefferson (2-5, 1-3) at McLean (0-7, 0-4) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Colonials snapped a five-game skid last week with a one-side win over playoff contender Marshall. As a result, if the playoffs started today, Jefferson would qualify.

The Highlanders were held to negative rushing yards against the Seahawks, but moved the ball quite effectively through the air. They will need a balanced attack to get a victory this week. This is McLean’s most viable opportunity to notch a win this season, as they close against Madison and Langley.

National District                                                            
No. 3 Edison (7-0, 4-0) at Falls Church (0-7, 0-4) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
The last time the Eagles lost to the Jaguars it was two weeks after Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run in early October 1998.

And cleared of any malicious intent in a recent VHSL investigation, third-ranked Edison is free to continue its all-around tear through the National District. Last week, running backs Stephon Robertson and Angus Harper combined for six carries, 174 yards and three touchdowns in a 57-6 home win over Stuart. Junior Christian Washington caught a 69-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 37 yards for six in the win.

A Week 10 match-up with No. 6 Chantilly is likely all that stands between Vaughn Lewis‘ bunch and a one-seed entering the Division 5 playoffs. Edison has scored fewer than 35 points just once this year.

But the Jaguars can move the ball, as well. Despite carrying 21 times for 1 yard last week as a team, Falls Church posted 40 points and quarterback Sam Gerima threw for five scores in a 69-40 loss to Mount Vernon.

Washington-Lee (4-3, 2-1) at Stuart (1-6, 0-3) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
Since scoring 34 points at Yorktown in Week 4, its second-highest offensive output since 1999, Stuart has managed only six points in three games. If it is to derail streaking Washington-Lee, more points are paramount.

A 20-point comeback last week lands the Generals in control of their own playoff destiny. But the Raiders are the only team left on their schedule that is below .500. Washington-Lee closes the year against No. 3 Edison and at Yorktown, teams it is 0-16 against this decade with an average loss of 35-7.

Yorktown (4-3, 2-1) at Wakefield (2-5, 1-2) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Warriors come in off a crushing road loss at Washington-Lee. Wakefield led 20-0 late in the second quarter before allowing 21 unanswered points. Kicker Rodrick Likonko‘s would-be, game-winning field goal as time expired flipped directly over the abbreviated upright and was ruled wide.

Now, instead of being in control of its own destiny and a likely No. 6 or No. 7 seed in Division 5, the Warriors are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in and in need of a win.

But expect little sympathy from Yorktown, who has played Wakefield within a single score just once in the last seven years – all Patriot wins. The Pats allowed 20 unanswered, second-half points of their own last week in a less-dramatic, 26-14 home loss to Herndon.

Having already left one valuable win on the table this month, don’t expect Yorktown to give up another without a fight.

Patriot District                                                       
No. 5 West Springfield (5-2, 4-0) at T.C. Williams (2-5, 2-3) — Saturday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
Despite six home games this season and a new, true home field, the Titans are yet to christen T.C. Williams Stadium with a win. They are 0-5 at home, but 2-0 on the road.

The Spartans hope that trend continues as they enter this road game riding a five-game winning streak, during with they are averaging just under 50 points per game. West Springfield can not get caught with its focus on Lake Braddock next week, as the Titans sprung a road upset on those same Bruins two weeks ago.

In the last three years, the Spartans are averaging 45.3 points per game in this series.

No. 10 West Potomac (5-2, 2-2) at No. 8 South County (4-3, 3-1) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
The set-up for this game is eerily similar to last season.

Last year, the Wolverines started 5-0, before falling in consecutive weeks to West Springfield and Lake Braddock, which slipped their record to 5-2 overall, 2-2 in the Patriot District. The Stallions’ record, likewise, is identical to what it was entering the West Potomac game in 2007 at 4-3.

If you’re curious, the Wolverines defeated the Stallions, 14-7, at home in Week 8. Running back Daniel Baker lived up to his nickname, “making” both West Potomac touchdowns. The Wolverines are the only Patriot District team the Stallions have not beaten all-time.

The match-up to watch: South County fullback J.B. Bullock — maybe the best short-yardage back in the district — against the West Potomac linebackers.

Annandale (4-3, 3-1) at Lake Braddock (4-3, 2-2) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
Last season, the Bruins snapped a four-year losing streak to the Atoms thanks almost solely to running back Michael Harrison‘s 325 rushing yards despite the torrential rains. And they played through the weather at Annandale – remember that night?

The Lake Braddock rebounded nicely since a surprise home loss to T.C. Williams ran its district record to 0-2. But the Bruins host West Springfield next week on Senior Night. Please see definition in the Robinson at No. 2 Oakton preview.

The Atoms, meanwhile, are 3-1 in district play, but the three teams they have beaten have a combined four wins. Power Points, as always, are at a premium and Annandale has yet to beat a team with a record better than 2-5.

A win at Lake Braddock would do wonders for its playoff hopes. The loser of this game may have signed its postseason death certificate.

Lee (1-6, 0-4) at Hayfield (1-6, 0-4) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
The Lancers have faced four straight teams with winning records, all of whom are in the Division 6 playoff hunt. But in the last two games, Lee has appeared hungover from the after-effects of the first two, heart-wrenching district losses to West Potomac and South County.

The Hawks hung with T.C. Williams last week before falling at home. Their last two opponents are South County and Lake Braddock, teams tied for the No. 8 seed in Division 6 if the playoffs were to start today. Both the Stallions and Bruins will have a lot to play for, so the Hawks must bring it against a Lancer team that is more gifted than their record would suggest.

Lee has won three straight in this series, including 34-28 last year, which was its first win of the season.

Non-District Games                                                        
Centreville (1-6, 0-4) at Mount Vernon (5-2, 3-1) — Friday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
Although the records are extremely disparate, the Wildcats hold a significant edge in performance against common opponents.

Both teams faced T.C. Williams and West Potomac in the first three weeks of the season.

The Wildcats earned their only with against the Titans, 36-7, while the Majors needed an overtime touchdown run by senior Kyle Ricks to win, 23-20.

Against West Potomac, Centreville lost by just seven points at home. Mount Vernon, meanwhile, fell to the Wolverines on the road by a more-lopsided 26-7.

Mount Vernon’s only National District loss came to No. 3 Edison. It is unbeaten since that game.

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

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By Dan Sousa
LoudounPrepSports.com Senior Content Editor

Reston (Oct. 16, 2008) – Three-time state champion Stone Bridge High School led all teams Wednesday at the AAA Liberty District competitive cheer semifinals held at South Lakes High School.

The Bulldogs scored 49 points higher than runner-up Woodson in the first round and then 46 points ahead of the Cavs in the second round. The Liberty District finals will be held at South Lakes on Oct. 20 followed by the Northern Region semifinals (Oct. 25) and finals (Nov. 1), both at Robinson.

The Bulldogs are looking for their third district title since joining the Liberty District four years ago. SB won in 2005 and 2006 and finished runner-up last season.

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The Virginia High School League rates its teams based on their win-loss
record and bonus points that are awarded based on the teams’ strength
of schedule.

Seven games into the season, this is how the
Northern Region football teams would stand if the post-season
started today. Eight teams in each division advance to the playoffs, with the No. 1 seed hosting the No. 8 seed, the No. 2 seed hosting the No.7 seed, the No. 3 seed hosting the No. 6 seed and the No. 4 team hosting the No. 5 team.

In the event of a tie, here’s how the VHSL handbook says it would be broken:

1. The winner of any games between the two tied teams if only two teams are involved. If more than two teams tied, and one of the tied teams beat all other tied teams, that team shall advance.
2. The team with the better record against all common opponents.
3. The team with the highest winning percentage against rating-scale-recognized opponents.
4. The team with the higher average rating of all of each team’s opponents.
5. The regional chairman or his/her alternate if his/her school is
involved, shall draw by lot to determine the playoff representative.

Division 5                                                      

No. 1. Edison (30.3)
No. 2. Stone Bridge (28.6)
No. 3. Mount Vernon (24.9)
No. 4. Madison (23.7) 
No. 5. Yorktown (23.3)
No. 6. Washington-Lee (21.0)
No. 7. Marshall (19.9)
No. 8. Thomas Jefferson (19.0)

Knocking on the door:
No. 9 Wakefield (18.6)
TNo. 10. Robert E. Lee (18.4)
TNo. 10. South Lakes (18.4)

Division 6                                                      

TNo. 1. Oakton (30.3)
TNo. 1. Westfield (30.3)
No. 3. Chantilly (28.0)
No. 4. West Springfield (27.4)
TNo. 5. W.T. Woodson (25.3)
TNo. 5. West Potomac (25.3)
No. 7. Herndon (24.6)
TNo.8 South County (23.6)
TNo.8 Lake Braddock (23.6)
 
Knocking on the door:
No. 10. Langley (23.3)
No. 11. Fairfax (22.9)

NOTE: The number in parentheses is the current power-point rating issued by the Virginia High School League. DigitalSports will update these potential parings each week once the new ratings are released by the VHSL.

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By Jimmy Thomas
Content Manager, Northern Region

**Click the video tab above the video player for highlights**

Senior quarterback Cason Kynes threw for four touchdowns Friday night and ran for another in Annandale’s 42-19 win over visiting Lee, earning him the Cox On DEMAND High School Performer of the Week award.

“Every team that we have left is a good match-up for us,” Kynes added. “If we want to win we have to work hard Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.”


Click Here for a complete list of winners

Cox Communications is proud to serve the residents of
Fairfax County, and is honored to present the Cox ON DEMAND High School
Performer of the Week trophy award to the standout player from a Fairfax County
team weekly.

Please send nominations to awatts@digitalsports.com

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Photos and Video by Alysia Deem

Purcellville (Oct. 11, 1008) – Loudoun Valley lost a tough non-district match yesterday to Langley 30-32, 25-17, 25-18, 23-25, 16-18. The Match was a designated Dig Pink Event.

Dig Pink is the ****** Cancer awareness rally being held during the month of October 2008.  When Rick Dunetz, head of the Side-Out Foundation, started Dig Pink he hoped to get at least 100 High School and College teams involved across the country to help educate and raise funds to eradicate this terrible disease.  As of yesterday there were 744 teams signed up and so far they have raised over $76,000 for this cause.  To learn more about why Rick Dunetz started the Side-out Foundation click here.

Proceeds from all Dig Pink Events will be distributed among research teams focused on target therapies and molecular profiling as well as “living with cancer” organizations nationwide.

For more information on The Side-out Foundation Click here…

To Donate to Dig Pink Click here…

Click on Video Tab above to see videos from this Match

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Washington D.C. area high school and youth sports to be featured as part of innovative alignment between leading D.C. media properties

Washington D.C. – October 10, 2008 – ABC 7 WJLA and DigitalSports.com, the region’s top source for local youth and high school sports coverage, have announced a media partnership. The joint venture has been developed to highlight and promote dynamic youth sports coverage in the Washington D.C. metro area.  Visitors to www.wjla.com will now have the opportunity to access play-by-play coverage of local school sports events by simply typing in the key word “high school sports.”

DigitalSports is the premier source for local youth and high school sports multimedia offering up-to-the-minute videos, photos, headlines, stats, standings and more. Through this partnership Digital Sports information will become readily accessible to the WJLA audience.  Components of the media marriage include cross-branded web presence on the station’s website and the DigitalSports sites, as well as broadcast television coverage of sports highlights that will span the entire DC Metropolitan area.

“Our technology and operational infrastructure allow DigitalSports to capture and publish news, videos, photos, game results and more in a unique and scalable fashion,” said Rich Toland, General Manager of the DigitalSports D.C. Metro Team.  “Through our many partnerships and with the use of our proprietary technology, we can be in many places at one time.  We’re thrilled that our partnership with ABC 7 will allow even more students, teams and families to enjoy increased coverage and promotion of not only themselves and the games that they play, but also of the uplifting stories that come as a result of participating in organized sports.”

DigitalSports.com was established to highlight the positive aspects of high school and youth sports and the positive impact sports has on the individual and their community.  The goal of the DigitalSports network is to support the influence sports has on young-athletes by offering information, tools, services and tuition-awards to students across the country.  The DigitalSports.com Washington D.C. Metro portal, which can be found online at www.dcmetrodigitalsports.com , serves as a gateway to the various high school conference and county websites that reside within the D.C. Metro area.

For more information on DigitalSports programs, franchise opportunities, scholarships and awards, visit www.digitalsports.com.

About ABC 7 WJLA
ABC 7 WJLA is the Washington metropolitan area’s ABC affiliate. The website address is www.wjla.com. WJLA’s owner, Allbritton Communications Company, operates eight television stations in seven broadcast markets, including Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, DC.  Allbritton Communications also owns and operates the political newspaper and website POLITICO and POLITICO.com.


About Digital Sports
DigitalSports is the source for your local sports and activities; providing members and guests with a single point of access to high school and club sports and activities around the country. By distributing professional and user-generated content, DigitalSports offers communities around the nation the opportunity to share and spotlight the accomplishments of their local youth.

DigitalSports’ mission is to deliver a positive, quality experience to its guests through their online tools and systems and their video and print information as well as providing innovative tools and resources to coaches and mentors.   DigitalSports operates as a new-media outlet within defined guidelines for preventing any publishing of inappropriate content.

The goal of DigitalSports(r) is to inform, entertain and inspire.  DigitalSports believes that the real heroes are to be found in our local communities; next door, in our homes and in our schools.  More information can be found at www.digitalsports.com.

###

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By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C.

**Check back with DigitalSports throughout the week for video recaps of nearly every game in the Northern Region!!

Concorde District                                                        
No. 2 Oakton (6-0, 3-0) at Centreville (1-5, 0-3) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The team in sole possession of first place in the Concorde District meets the team in sole possession of last, with the latter being the indisputably more-surprising standing. The Wildcats’ 27 points last week against Robinson were the most they have tallied all season in district play, but the 34 points allowed were also a season-high in conference. That defensive mark will likely need to improve as Centreville’s final four opponents have a combined record of 20-4.

The Cougars have won five straight in this series, but their margin-of-victory is barely three points per game. And no win in the stretch has been by more than seven points. But as hot as Oakton has been in 2008, Coach Joe Thompson‘s crew hopes to have this one locked up by half time.

No. 6 Chantilly (4-2, 1-2) at Robinson (3-3, 1-1) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Chargers previous three opponents have had a combined record of 16-2. Their next three are 7-11, so the Purple Platoon ought not be discouraged by their 1-2 conference record. Plus, the two losses are to No. 2 Oakton (6-0) and No. 4 Westfield (6-0). Mix in a stunning first-round, 17-14 playoff elimination at the hands of the Rams last season, and there is a certain recipe for Chantilly tenacity in south Fairfax on Friday.

Robinson, at .500, is entering a telling stretch of schedule. All four of its remaining opponents are .500 or better, with a 17-7 combined record.

No. 4 Westfield (6-0, 2-0) at Fairfax (3-3, 1-2) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
Bulldog Coach Tom Verbanic is 5-0 all-time against his former school — average spread: 40-8 — and has won 64 of his last 66 regular-season games. In the two games he has coached against at Fairfax, the Bulldogs are 2-0, outscoring the Rebels 58-6.

Fairfax is 2-0 when yielding the first points, but just 1-3 when scoring first. That stat might work in their favor on Friday, though. Westfield senior running back Jordon Anderson has 53 carries for 433 yards and nine touchdowns — in the last three weeks. Six of his nine scores came in the first half.

Liberty District                                                         
No. 10 Madison (4-2, 3-0) at W.T. Woodson (4-2, 2-0) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Warhawks enter riding a four-game winning streak, none bigger than last week’s 18-14 victory at Langley. Senior running back Sasha Vandalov has established himself as Madison’s go-to ball carrier, an accomplishment in a backfield littered with downhill runners.

The Cavaliers, historically, have suffered from severe post-Westfield trauma. They are just 7-12 after facing the Bulldogs in the last three seasons, including a 1-4 stretch last season that pushed them out of the postseason.

Madison has won the last three meetings in this series, with only one win by less than 18 points. But if Woodson can find its form of two weeks ago, the Cavaliers may show all these stats where to go. They need just two more wins to ensure their first above-.500 record since 2004, the season they last won the Northern Region title.

South Lakes (1-5, 0-3) at McLean (0-6, 0-3) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
Looking at their records, it is apparent the Seahawks and Highlanders are both desperate for a win. But neither has had much help from the schedule makers through six weeks.

South Lakes defeated the only opponent it faced with a losing record (Falls Church) and all five losses are to teams at .500 or better — those teams’ combined record is 21-8. None of its final four opponents have a winning record.

McLean, similarly, has only played one team with a losing record and three of its final four opponents are .500 or worse. Despite still having a goose egg in the win column, McLean is one of just six Northern Region teams to have scored in double digits every week — alongside Stone Bridge, Oakton, Edison, West Springfield, and West Potomac. But they allow 37.5 points per game.
 
The
last three games in this series have been decided by a combined 16
points, with the Seahawks’ only win coming last year, 21-14. But over those
three seasons, South Lakes boasts only one more overall victory than
McLean; these teams — despite having vastly contrasting offensive
styles — are almost dead even.

Langley (3-3, 2-1) at No. 1 Stone Bridge (6-0, 3-0) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Saxons have effectively fed the ball to senior running David Helmer throughout the season. But against a defensive front seven that features four Division I-A signees and yielded 0.13 yards per carry to South Lakes last week, Langley might want to mix in some short passes to keep the Bulldogs honest.

Stone Bridge’s lowest first-half output this season is 28 points. Langley has scored more than that in a game once this year, a 35-12 win against Marshall. The Bulldogs are 3-0 all-time in the series, the last two wins with 42-14 margin.

Marshall (3-3, 2-1) at Jefferson (1-5, 0-2) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Statesmen have exploited the patches in their schedule that they needed to do, recording a 3-0 record against teams with losing records. Five of their 10 overall opponents are currently 1-5 or worse, so Marshall is in line for a second-consecutive playoff run, provided it continues its success against those teams.

The Colonials may offer the most substantial challenge in that regard after its loss last week. Jefferson led Wakefield, 10-9, entering the final quarter, only to have the Warriors run up 28 unanswered points and coast to a deceptively one-sided win. The Colonials had two interceptions returned for scores, so keep an eye on Marshall senior defensive back Jamie Cleer.

Marshall has beaten Jefferson each of the last three seasons.

National District                                                            
J.E.B. Stuart (1-5, 0-3) at No. 3 Edison (6-0, 3-0) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Eagles have won 18 of their last 19 district games, including the postseason, and are 11-0 against the Raiders in Coach Vaughn Lewis‘ second stint as head coach. The last seven wins are by a combined — wait for it — 285-40.

Edison seniors Stephon Robertson and Angus Harper have combined for 1,071 yards on just 105 carries – 10.2 per attempt – and 15 touchdowns in six games, a stat to be updated weekly as it gets no less amazing. And although the Eagles did not have any special teams touchdowns in last week’s 38-0 win at Yorktown, they had four returns of 20 yards or more. Two were by junior Jerrell Haywood.

The last time these teams met at Edison, the Eagles scored 42 points — in the first quarter.

Falls Church (0-6, 0-3) at Mount Vernon (4-2, 2-1) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Jaguars have only beaten the Majors once since the 1990s — 36-0 in 2005, a year in which Mount Vernon finished 1-9.

Mount Vernon appears bound for a first-round, home playoff game. At 4-2, only one of its final four opponents has a record better than 2-4. Combined, those teams are 7-18.

Wakefield (2-4, 1-1) at Washington-Lee (3-3, 1-1) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
If the playoffs started today, the Warriors would own the tie-breaker over Robert E. Lee and be the No. 8 seed. The Generals would stand alone with the No. 7 seed.

So the implications are obvious for these teams that have not tasted the postseason in — literally — decades. The strength-of-schedule advantage after this game leans slightly towards Wakefield, whose opponents are 9-9. Washington-Lee’s road will be slightly tougher, as they are yet to face either Edison or Yorktown.

Washington-Lee senior running back Charlie Fuller‘s connection to Wakefield — he grew up in the Warriors’ district and would have gone there if not for a transfer — only adds the makings of a potential classic.

The Generals have taken five of the last six games in the series.

Patriot District                                                       
No. 8 South County (4-2, 3-0) at No. 5 West Springfield (4-2, 3-0) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Stallions provided one of the biggest upsets of last season, knocking off the then-one-loss Spartans, 35-31. In the game, West Springfield took a 31-28 lead with
two minutes remaining, only to have South County senior running back Titus Pennington take an
inside hand off and go 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

In
the previous two meetings between the schools, the Spartans had outscored the
Stallions, 111-50.

This time around, West Springfield could not enter the game any hotter, having won four games in row and scoring 48.8 points per game in that stretch. And its defense forced 13 total turnovers last week against West Potomac (see below). South County enters as winner of four of its last five, though, with losses only to No. 3 Edison (22-3) and No. 4 Westfield (9-7).

But the bitter taste of last season has not left the mouth of West Springfield and its quarterback, Bryn Renner, who lives in the South County school district. The
Spartans were 10-1 against non-state champions in 2007. The lone loss
came on October 12 at South County.
 
Lee (1-5, 0-3) at Annandale (3-3, 2-1) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
Last year, a Lancer team still searching for its first win fell by three points to the Atoms at home. Lee has felt similar fourth-quarter heartache this season, but Annandale is much-improved from a year ago.

The Atoms are allowing fewer points and scoring more than they were at this time last season. But Lee seems destined for its second win sooner rather than later.

The X-factor will be the match-up of Atom wide receiver Melvin Robinson and Lancer defensive backs Jameel Pitt and Anton Bowman. Robinson may be second only to West Potomac’s Kristian Rodriguez as a big-play threat in the Northern Region. But Lee’s secondary has nine interceptions in the last three games, six by Pitt and Bowman. Pitt had three against the Wolverines alone.

No. 7 West Potomac (5-1, 2-1) at Lake Braddock (3-3, 1-2) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
After a surprising home loss to T.C. Williams, Lake Braddock returned to form with a 12-0 win over Lee for its first Patriot victory.

West Potomac, meanwhile, is coming off a loss for the first time in 2008. At West Springfield last Friday, the Wolverines coughed up possession 13 times to the Spartans — four fumbles lost, four interceptions thrown and five turnovers on downs.

Last year, West Potomac lost its first game in Week 6 to West Springfield, and went on to fall to the No. 5 seed in Division 6 due to losses in three of its last five games.

And in
this growing Patriot District rivalry, the teams have alternated wins
over the last eight games, including a split last year. Lake Braddock
trounced West Potomac, 41-0, in the regular season last year only to
have Wolverines eliminate the Bruins from the playoffs, 14-9, at Lake
Braddock. The home team is 7-1 since 2001. The lone exemption was last
year’s  opening-round playoff victory by West Potomac.

T.C. Williams (1-5, 1-2) at Hayfield (1-5, 0-3) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
Despite their less-than-attractive record, the Titans have played great football three of the last four weeks. If they can repeat that quality of play, they will have little trouble dispatching the scrappy, but young and undersized, Hawks.

However, any Titan lapses in ball security and tackling will allow Hayfield junior quarterback Anton McCallum and freshman running back Steven Lynch to have a field day on T.C. Williams’ first Friday night game of the season.

The Titans have won the last two games in this series, average score: 30-14.

Non-District Games                                                        
No. 9 Herndon (4-2, 2-1) at Yorktown (4-2, 2-1) — Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
This is annually one of the best non-district games all season and the 2008 edition should be no different. These two dark horses find themselves with quite realistic postseason aspirations. But it is the Hornets that may be in more need of a win.

They have yet to face Westfield or Oakton and, including Yorktown, Herndon’s last four opponents are a combined 19-5. That’s second only to district foe Centreville in schedule difficulty in the entire Northern Region. The Patriots’ final four opponents are a much more manageable 13-11.

Although Herndon has won all three meetings this decade, only one game was decided by more than a touchdown.

NORTHERN REGION WEEK 7:  BY THE NUMBERS
6 – There are six teams to have scored in double digits every game this year: No. 1 Stone Bridge (6-0), No. 2 Oakton (6-0), No. 3 Edison (6-0), No. 5 West Springfield (4-2), No. 7 West Potomac (5-1) and McLean (0-6).
0.13 – Last week at South Lakes, the Stone Bridge defense held its opposition to 24 carries for 3 yards, an average of just 0.13 yards per carry.
20-4 – Centreville (1-5) has the most difficult final four weeks of any team in the Northern Region. It’s final four opponents, No. 4 Westfield, Mount Vernon, No. 6 Chantilly and No. 2 Oakton are combined 20-4.
42 – The last time Edison and J.E.B. Stuart met in Alexandria, Eagle senior running back Kevin Carter scored three touchdowns in the opening period. Edison posted 42 points in the first quarter that night.
9 – Westfield senior running back Jordon Anderson has 433 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in the last three weeks.

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

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