T C Williams High School | Archive | October, 2009

Football: Week 9 — Weekend Preview

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

*Games are listed alphabetically. Scroll to a team’s name to read the preview for that game.

Week 8 Highlights

**Click here for final scores!!

Email pmurphy@digitalsports.com with scores.

**Updated PowerPoints to be posted at midnight Friday!**

NORTHERN REGION WEEK 9:  BY THE NUMBERS
12 – Wins for the home team in the most-recent meetings of current teams playing this week.
149 – Points in the last four games for Hayfield. They most it has scored in any four-game span since 1992.
19 – Times Westfield senior Aaron Scoville was targeted last week against Chantilly. He caught 13 passes.
10.1 – Percent of touches resulting in touchdowns for Robinson quarterback Mike LoPresti and running backs Connor Riley and Jared Velasquez.
731 – Combined non-passing yards for Falls Church tailback Marcus Hughes and the Hayfield trio last week. They play in Week 9.
55 – Second-quarter points for Woodson in the last three weeks. It has allowed 17.
4 – Games in which Chantilly has held second-half leads against top-five PowerPoint teams that resulted in losses.
9 – Consecutive seasons in which Lake Braddock and West Potomac have traded wins. The Bruins beat the Wolverines last year.

CONCORDE DISTRICT
Westfield (4-4, 3-0) at Centreville (3-5, 1-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: Westfield – 5th (Div. 6); Centreville – 13th (Div. 6)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Westfield – 10th (Div. 6); Centreville – 6th (Div. 6)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Westfield – 4th (Div. 6); Centreville – 11th (Div. 6)
Last Week: Westfield beat Chantilly, 17-14; Centreville won at Oakton, 21-7
All-Time Series: Westfield leads 7-1
Last Meeting: Westfield beat Centreville, 58-40, on Oct. 31, 2008

Last week, Bulldog senior Aaron Scoville had 13 receptions for 102 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 8:53 remaining. He was targeted on 19 of senior quarterback Danny Fenyak‘s 26 pass attempts.

Wildcat senior receiver Warren Denny has 33 receptions for 460 yards and two scores this year, but was held to two grabs against Oakton all-state defensive back Andrew Leonard last week.

He was only targeted three times, but a way to contribute with a key interception on defense.

With Oakton eyes on Denny, Centreville senior Adam Garrity erupted for 7 receptions — on seven targets — for 106 yards.

Westfield has won the last seven games in this series.

Chantilly (4-4, 1-2) at Herndon (4-4, 1-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: Chantilly – 7th (Div. 6); Herndon – 10th (Div. 6)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Chantilly – 4th (Div. 6); Herndon – 7th (Div. 6)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Chantilly – 9th (Div. 6); Herndon – 13th (Div. 6)
Last Week: Chantilly lost at Westfield, 17-14; Herndon lost at Loudoun Valley, 19-7
Series Since 1998: Herndon leads 6-5
Last Meeting: Chantilly beat Herndon, 28-10, on Sept. 26, 2008

Chantilly’s four losses are all to teams ranked in the top five in Division 6 and only one was by more than seven points. That came, 26-14, at Woodson when it allowed 19 unanswered points in the final 8:11.

In fact, the Chargers held second-half leads in all four losses.

Since a 3-0 start, the Hornets struggled both stopping the run and replacing injured quarterback Zack Ozycz. In last week’s loss at Loudoun Valley, Herndon allowed touchdown drives of 99, 89 and 93 yards.

For Chantilly, look for senior Kris Martin to test Herndon’s talented secondary. Last week, Martin was targeted on six of senior quarterback Carson Romine‘s eight first-half passes, catching five for 136 yards and a long touchdown.

He was targeted on just one of Romine’s nine second-half attempts.

Oakton (4-4, 1-2) at Robinson (7-1, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday

PowerPoints: Oakton – T8th (Div. 6); Robinson – 2nd (Div. 6)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Oakton – 12th (Div. 6); Robinson – 1st (Div. 6)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Oakton – 6th (Div. 6); Robinson – 2nd (Div. 6)
Last Week: Oakton lost to Centreville, 21-7; Robinson won at Madison, 21-7
Series Since 1998: Robinson leads 7-5 (6-3 regular season)
Last Meeting: Oakton beat Robinson, 43-31, on Oct. 17, 2008

Despite recent eruptions by Lake Braddock and Woodson, Robinson maintained the top scoring offense Division 6. That’s with good reason.

Ram junior quarterback Mike LoPresti is 36-for-73 passing this year for 671 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. Senior running back Connor Riley has 133 carries for 787 yards and 14 scores. Junior running back Jared Velasquez has 131 carries for 888 yards and 11 touchdowns.

So, LoPresti gets 9.19 yards per pass attempt, Riley swings 5.92 yards per rush and Velasquez grabs 6.78 yards per carry. The trio scores on 10.1-percent of their offensive touches.

And those numbers come with a somewhat one-dimensional passing game. Of LoPresti’s  36 completions, 28 are to junior receiver Matt Zanellato, as have six of his eight touchdowns.

For Oakton to rebound, its own offense has to improve from recent weeks. The Cougars’ only scoring drive in last week’s loss to the Wildcats required just 15 yards.

The key is simple. When Oakton is held under 2.80 yards per carry, it is 0-4. When the Cougars cross 2.80 yards per carry, they are 4-0.

LIBERTY DISTRICT
Fairfax (4-4, 3-2) at Marshall (1-7, 1-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: Fairfax – T8th (Div. 6); Marshall – 12th (Div. 5)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Fairfax – 8th (Div. 6); Marshall – 14th (Div. 5)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Fairfax – 10th (Div. 6); Marshall – 12th (Div. 5)
Last Week: Fairfax beat McLean, 55-17; Marshall beat Jefferson, 35-0
All-Time Series: Fairfax leads, 21-6
Last Meeting: Fairfax beat Marshall, 26-7, on Sept. 5, 2008

Even with its 35-0 home win over Jefferson last week, Marshall’s offensive, defensive and PowerPoint rankings did not change.

Fairfax, meanwhile, pasted McLean for 55 points and moved up six positions in offensive ranking and into the Division 6 playoff picture. The Rebels need to win out to make the playoffs, but their final two opponents are 1-15.

The only feasible way Fairfax would not qualify for the playoffs if they beat both Marshall and Jefferson is if Herndon beats Westfield, Oakton beats Chantilly and Robinson, Westfield beats Centreville and Chantilly beats Herndon.

Even still, the Rebels could qualify with help.

This team has the Delaware Wing-T down to — well — a T. And senior receiver Alex Young is making a strong case for the all-region team, posting 29 receptions for 476 yards and nine scores in the last six weeks alone.

For Marshall to spring the upset, senior running back Victor Vanegas needs to equal his numbers from the last two weeks. In Weeks 7 and 8, Vanegas has 43 carries for 318 yards and six scores.

That’s about 22 carries for 159 yards and three touchdowns per game.

Madison (4-4, 3-2) at Jefferson (0-8, 0-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: Madison – T5th (Div. 5); Jefferson – 13th (Div. 5)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Madison – 11th (Div. 5); Jefferson – 15th (Div. 5)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Madison – 1st (Div. 5); Jefferson – 15th (Div. 5)
Last Week: Madison lost to Robinson, 21-7; Jefferson lost at Marshall, 35-0
Series Since 1998: Madison leads, 4-0
Last Meeting: Madison beat Jefferson, 42-15, on Sept. 26, 2008

The Warhawks were five total yards from cracking 4.0 yards per carry against the third-ranked scoring defense of 30 in the Northern Region — Madison has the second-ranked D.

Now, it looks for a turnaround against the team ranked 30th.

Jefferson had a chance to take an early lead last week at Marshall, but pulled a 30-yard field goal wide left. The Statesmen closed the game with 35 unanswered points.

In order to avoid their seventh shutout in nine games — let alone pull out the win — the Colonials must capitalize on opportunities like that.

Madison’s defense, anchored by linebackers Eric Leeson, Ryan McGuire and Kevin Sampson, held Robinson to its second-lowest rushing total of the season last week.

Since Jefferson joined the Liberty District in 2005, the margin of victory for Madison ha s never been less than 21 points.

The Colonials never scored more than 15, Madison less than 42 just once.

Langley (3-5, 2-3) at South Lakes (5-3, 4-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: Langley – 14th (Div. 6); South Lakes – T5th (Div. 5)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Langley – 15th (Div. 6); South Lakes – 6th (Div. 5)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Langley – 8th (Div. 6); South Lakes – 6th (Div. 5)
Last Week: Langley lost to Stone Bridge, 17-14; South Lakes lost at Dominion, 46-20
Series Since 1998: Langley leads, 7-1
Last Meeting: Langley beat South Lakes, 35-14, on Oct. 17, 2008

Maybe Langley has been this good all along, we were just too **** to realize.

Run with me.

Its first three losses were to Lake Braddock, Chantilly and Madison, or the No. 3 team in Division 6, the No. 7 team in Division 6 and the No. 5 team in Division 5

The Saxons beat full-strength Herndon handily on the road before losing to Fairfax — almost certainly a playoff-team — in overtime.

Senior tailback Abe Yi has been integral to the turnaround.

South Lakes is looking to get back on track after a pair of hard-to-swallow losses. It gave up the game-winning score to Fairfax last week with 1:20 to go before getting Deandre-ed at Dominion last week.  

The Saxons look more like the Rebels than the Titans, though schematically are different than either.

Though a loss to a Double-A team is devastating for PowerPoints. South Lakes still owns the tiebreaker over Madison and would finish ahead if both win out.

In the last four weeks, Saxon junior quarterback Braden Anderson is 40-79 passing for 777 yards with six touchdowns to three picks. That is 9.84 yards per pass attempt.

Stone Bridge (7-1, 4-1) at McLean (5-3, 3-2) 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: Stone Bridge – 1st (Div. 5); McLean – 7th (Div. 5)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Stone Bridge – 4th (Div. 5); McLean – 5th (Div. 5)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Stone Bridge – 2nd (Div. 6); McLean – 7th (Div. 5)
Last Week: Stone Bridge won at Langley, 17-14; McLean lost at Fairfax, 55-17
All-Time Series: Stone Bridge leads, 4-0
Last Meeting: Stone Bridge beat McLean, 51-13, on Sept. 26, 2008

In four all-time meetings, the Highlanders have scored 19 total points against the Bulldogs.

But this is the best McLean team in that span. And it may be the most human Stone Bridge team.

The Bulldogs rode junior Marcus Harris to 43 carries for 208 yards and a touchdown last week, but still needed a game-saving field goal block by Spenser Rositano — his second this season — to win at Langley.

McLean, meanwhile, had no answer for the Wing-T run by Fairfax. That’s a minor issue since Stone Bridge runs a single-wing offense on steroids.

The Highlanders, to have success Friday, need better gap assignment defensively and to make the first tackle, especially on the speedy Harris, who has 1,097 yards and 12 touchdowns this year.

McLean senior Riley Beiro looked healthier last week than he had in nearly a month, finishing with 53 yards and two scores. But his 14 carries are still one-third of his per game average through four weeks.

NATIONAL DISTRICT
Edison (6-2, 4-1) at J.E.B. Stuart (3-5, 2-3) 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: Edison – 3rd (Div. 5); Stuart – 11th (Div. 5)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Edison – 2nd (Div. 5); Stuart – 9th (Div. 5)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Edison – 3rd (Div. 5); Stuart – 9th (Div. 5)
Last Week: Edison won at Washington-Lee, 32-23; Stuart lost at Hayfield, 49-21
Series Since 1997: Edison leads, 12-0
Last Meeting: Edison beat Stuart, 57-6, on Oct. 10, 2008

Since a 3-2 start, Stuart is all but eliminated from playoff contention with three-consecutive losses.

To stay mathematically alive, it must beat Edison, against whom it is 0-12 since 1997.

In those 12 meetings, the Raiders were held to single-digit scoring eight times. The Eagles never less than 20 points and cracked 35 points eight times, all within the last nine years.

This is the best Stuart team in that time, but it is the same one that yielded 437 rushing yards to Hayfield last week. Now, it faces the third-ranked running back in the region in yards, Edison senior Angus Harper. Then, it closes with the running back ranked first in yards, Falls Church senior Marcus Hughes.

The Raiders have to keep Harper below 120 yards if they are to have a chance.

Falls Church (4-4, 3-2) at Hayfield (6-2, 5-0) 7:30 p.m. Friday

PowerPoints: Falls Church – 10th (Div. 5); Hayfield – 4th (Div. 5)

Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Falls Church – 8th (Div. 5); Hayfield – 1st (Div. 5)

Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Falls Church – 12th (Div. 5); Hayfield – 5th (Div. 5)

Last Week: Falls Church beat Mount Vernon, 42-32; Hayfield beat Stuart, 49-21

Series Since 1997: First meeting in over 12 years

Last week, the Hawks played inspired football. With head coach Billy Pugh hospitalized Monday after suffering a stroke, Hayfield rolled up 437 rushing yards under wrestling coach and varsity football assistant Roy Hill. It beat Stuart, 49-21, at home.

Senior Anton McCallum led the charge with 13 carries for 203 yards and five touchdowns, including 152 yards and four scores on his first five attempts.

That output was only outdone by Falls Church senior Marcus Hughes, who carried 33 times for 300 yards and three scores in a 42-32 home win over Mount Vernon. Hughes leads the region with over 1,400 rushing yards this season.

The is most likely the make-or-break game for Jaguar playoff hopes, given its relative lack of schedule strength compared to 4-4 Madison, Washington-Lee and Yorktown.

To be playing in November, Falls Church’s physical defensive front needs to stay disciplined against the Hayfield triple option. In addition to McCallum, sophomore Steve Lynch and senior Rayshawn Rigans can all break a big one.

If too many defensive assignments are missed, it could spell curtains for the Jaguars. The Hawks have scored 149 points in the last four games, the most they in any four-game stretch since 1992.

Both teams enter with three-game winning streaks.

Wakefield (0-8, 0-5) at Washington-Lee (4-4, 3-2) 7:30 p.m. Friday

PowerPoints: Wakefield – 14th (Div. 5); Washington-Lee – 9th (Div. 5)

Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Wakefield – 12th (Div. 5); Washington-Lee – 10th (Div. 5)

Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Wakefield – 15th (Div. 5); Washington-Lee – 10th (Div. 5)

Last Week: Wakefield lost at Yorktown, 51-18; Washington-Lee lost to Edison, 32-23

Series Since 1998: Washington-Lee leads, 6-5

Last Meeting: Washington-Lee beat Wakefield, 21-20, on Oct. 10, 2008

The Generals had their four-game winning streak snapped last week to the Eagles, allowing three first-half passing touchdowns. The Warriors enter with an underrated passing game, led by sophomore quarterback Drew Powell and senior receiver Aaron Hunt.

Last week, the Warriors hung close with the Patriots, but allowed three fourth-quarter turnovers — 27 points in the period — to make the final lopsided in Yorktown’s favor.

This week, Wakefield must key on the running game if it is to secure its first win. Washington-Lee junior Anthony Taylor has multiple touchdown runs in three consecutive games.

He has 623 rushing yards and nine scores in his last five games.

Wakefield gives up 40.0 points per game, more than any team in the Northern Region and 294th of the 304 public schools in Virginia.

To be fair, all eight of its opponents are in the top 10 in scoring in Division 5.

Yorktown (4-4, 3-2) at Mount Vernon (0-8, 0-5) 7:30 p.m. Friday

PowerPoints: Yorktown – 8th (Div. 5); Mount Vernon – 15th (Div. 5)

Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): Yorktown – 3rd (Div. 5); Mount Vernon – 13th (Div. 5)

Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): Yorktown – 8th (Div. 5); Mount Vernon – 13th (Div. 5)

Last Week: Yorktown beat Wakefield, 51-18; Mount Vernon lost at Falls Church, 42-32

Series Since 1998: Yorktown and Mount Vernon tied, 6-6

Last Meeting: Mount Vernon at Yorktown, 22-20, on Oct. 24, 2008

Mount Vernon had its most promising showing of the season last week at Falls Church, but yielded 300 rushing yards to the Jaguars’ feature back, plus a 67-yard run that was called back by an illegal shift.

Yorktown only led Wakefield by six through three quarters, but used three fourth-quarter turnovers for a 27-point, late-game eruption, punctuated by an amazing tipped-screen pick six from senior Charles Banks to senior Erik Cardillo.

This game will come down to the play of the Patriots interior defensive line, anchored by emotional senior Nicholas Vaughan. The Majors’ triple option needs to work inside if they expect to be able to get outside the tackles beyond the first mesh point.

Yorktown senior Sam Nottingham will be his usual, dual-threat self. An improved defensive effort will set up the Pats for a playoff play-in game next week against the Generals, who Yorktown has beaten 28 straight times.

PATRIOT DISTRICT
T.C. Williams (4-4, 2-3) at South County (6-2, 3-2) 7:30 p.m. Friday
PowerPoints: T.C. Williams – T10th (Div. 6); South County – 4th (Div. 6)
Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): T.C. Williams – 9th (Div. 6); South County – 11th (Div. 6)
Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): T.C. Williams – 7th (Div. 6); South County – 1st (Div. 6)
Last Week: T.C. Williams beat West Potomac, 38-37; South County won at Lee, 10-7
All-Time Series: South County leads, 3-1
Last Meeting: South County won at T.C. Williams, 20-14, on Oct. 3, 2008

Last week, the Titans welcomed senior quarterback Joe Hargrove back from a broken wrist in his non-throwing hand and rewrote the record books in his first career start.

He completed 17-of-35 passes for a school-record 297 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. The four passing touchdowns tied the T.C. single-game record.

This week, he gets the top-ranked scoring defense in the Northern Region — Division 5 or Division 6. Against Lee last week, South County yielded just 40 passing yards outside of the Lancers’ lone scoring drive.

The Stallions are 6-0 when averaging more than 3.0 yards per carry.

With a win, they’d set a single-season record for wins.

West Potomac (2-6, 1-4) at Lake Braddock (6-2, 4-1) 7:30 p.m. Friday

PowerPoints: West Potomac – 15th (Div. 6); Lake Braddock – 3rd (Div. 6)

Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): West Potomac – 13th (Div. 5); Lake Braddock – 11th (Div. 6)

Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): West Potomac – 14th (Div. 6); Lake Braddock – 1st (Div. 6)

Last Week: West Potomac lost at T.C. Williams, 38-37; Lake Braddock won at Annandale, 48-3

Series Since 1997: Lake Braddock leads, 7-6

Last Meeting: Lake Braddock won at West Potomac, 36-29, on Oct. 10, 2008

The Bruins and Wolverines feature players with two of the more eye-popping individual performances last week.

Lake Braddock junior quarterback Michael Nebrich accounted for six touchdowns — three rushing, three passing — in a rainy road win over Annandale. He completed 19-of-30 passes for 290 yards with those three scores and no picks through the air, including seven completions for 108 yards and two scores to senior Brandon Johnson on just eight targets.

West Potomac senior receiver Daryl Copeland caught seven passes himself, but for 245 yards and four touchdowns, three of 66 yards or longer. Senior quarterback Colin Mathewson, returning from a knee injury, completed 17-of-29 passes for 438 yards, five touchdowns and one pick.

Expect Lake Braddock senior Thomas Stickford — a near-lock for first-team all-region — to be assigned Copeland, as he’s already locked down Annandale junior Melvin Robinson and Robinson junior Matt Zanellato this year. Last week, Robinson caught three passes for 54 yards on 11 targets and Zanellato caught four passes for 59 yards in Week 5 on eight targets.

The Bruin run defense has forced season-low rushing totals — at the time of the respective game — to seven of eight opponents this year, including 19 carries for 13 yards last week by the Atoms.

The teams have traded wins in each of the last nine meetings. Lake Braddock won last year.

West Springfield (4-4, 3-2) at Robert E. Lee (5-3, 2-3) 7:30 p.m. Friday

PowerPoints: West Springfield – 8th (Div. 6); Lee – 2nd (Div. 5)

Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): West Springfield – 5th (Div. 5); Lee – 7th (Div. 5)

Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): West Springfield – 15th (Div. 6); Lee – 4th (Div. 5)

Last Week: West Springfield lost at Woodson, 44-31; Lee lost to South County, 10-7

Series Since 1998: West Springfield leads, 4-3

Last Meeting: West Springfield beat Lee, 46-12, on Oct. 31, 2008

Though they outgained the Stallions last week, the Lancers committed a pair of untimely turnovers and lost at home, falling to 0-3 with senior running back Idreis Augustus sidelined due to a pulled groin.

Despite three-straight losses, Lee remains second in PowerPoints in Division 5, thanks to wins over Hayfield (6-2), Woodson (7-1) and Westfield (4-4) that loaded up its strength of schedule.

West Springfield brings a balanced passing attack to the table, that will test Lee’s gifted defensive backfield. Spartan junior Matt Prokop targeted junior Lee Gleason and senior T.J. O’Connell 10 times apiece, completing 12 passes to them for 165 total yards and a score.

Whether or not Augustus gets his carries — just seven for 12 yards last week — the Lancers hope to move the ball better than they did against the top-ranked defense in the region last week.

West Springfield yields 28.0 points per game, more than any team in Division 6. It gave up 439 total yards at Woodson last week.

The Spartans force a lot of turnovers, though, and are very opportunistic when the ball is loose. The winner of the turnover battle will win this pivotal late-season game.

W.T. Woodson (7-1, 4-1) at Annandale (3-5, 1-4) 7:30 p.m. Friday

PowerPoints: W.T. Woodson – 1st (Div. 6); Annandale – 12th (Div. 6)

Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): W.T. Woodson – 3rd (Div. 5); Annandale – 14th (Div. 6)

Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): W.T. Woodson – 5th (Div. 6); Annandale – 12th (Div. 6)

Last Week: Woodson beat West Springfield, 44-31; Annandale lost to Lake Braddock, 48-3

Series Since 1998: Annandale leads, 1-0

Last Meeting: Annandale beat Woodson, 31-0, on Sept. 11, 1998

Since its 7-6 win at South County, Annandale has lost five straight games.

In possibly the worst remedy of all-time, it draws Division 6 top seed Woodson, arguably the most complete team in the region.

Cavalier senior James Johnson scored touchdowns in all four quarters last week against the Spartans, carrying 20 times for 190 yards. Senior quarterback Connor Reilly only had one pass hit the ground, going 12-for-14 through the air for 144 yards, a touchdown and a pick on top of 15 carries for 81 yards.

The key for this game is the interior line play when the Atoms have the ball. Annandale runs the Michigan zone read, which requires strong gap accountability by defensive tackles and inside linebackers.

Woodson senior defensive tackle Patrick Bulger forced a second-quarter fumble and a fourth-quarter safety last week. That fumble was recovered by senior linebacker Josh Hogan recovered that fumble and took an interception 37 yards for a score.

That came a week after Hogan had a team-high 12 tackles, an interception, a fumble forced and a fumble recovery at T.C. Williams.

The Cavaliers outscored opponents 55-17 in the second quarter in the last three weeks.

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Football: T.C. Williams 38, West Potomac 37

By Phil Murphy

Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area

Please send any video title corrections to pmurphy@digitalsports.com

*Click the Video link on the top-left to view all the highlights from this game.

Box Score             1    2    3    4    —    F  

West Potomac    12   7   12   6    —   37
T.C. Williams        14   9    6    9    —   38

Scoring Plays                               
1Q — TC — C. Taylor 85 kick return (Benites kick) — 11:48
1Q — WP — Copeland 69 from Mathewson (kick failed) — 11:16
1Q —
WP — B. Johnson 2 run (pass failed) — 7:58

1Q — TC — Jenkins 23 from Hargrove (Benites kick) — 1:20 [not on tape]
2Q — TC — Benites 30 FG — 6:08
2
Q — TC — Sitton 30 from Hargrove (kick failed)
2Q — WP — Copeland 22 from Mathewson (Dynes kick) — 1:24

3Q — WP — Copeland 71 from Mathewson (pass failed)
3Q — WP — Essex 25 from Mathewson (pass failed)
3Q — TC — Jenkins 15 from Hargrove (Hargrove run) — 3:45
4Q — TC — Carter 8 from Hargrove (pass failed)
4Q — WP — Copeland 66 from Mathewson (pass failed) — 6:35
4Q — TC — Benites 23 FG — 3:48

Passing

WP – Mathewson – 17-for-29, 438 yards, 5 TD, INT.
TC – Hargrove – 17-for-35, 297 yards, 4 TD, INT; Murphy – 3-for-3, 5 yards.

Rushing

WP – B. Johnson – 5 car, 74 yards, TD; Layne – 15 car, 53 yards; Essex – 1
car, -11 yards; Blewitt – 1 car, -15 yards; Mathewson – 10 car, -43 yards.
TC –
Carter – 19 car, 91 yards; Garner – 10 car, 52 yards; Brunson – 1 car, 4 yards; Murphy – 3 car, 5 yards; C. Taylor – 1 car, 3 yards; Hargrove – 4 car, -9 yards.

Receiving

WP – Copeland- 7
rec, 245 yards, 4 TD; Essex – 3 rec, 81 yards, TD; Lee – 4 rec, 46 yards; Layne – 3 rec, 34 yards; Elliot – 1 rec, 30 yards; Rosenkranz – 1 rec, 2 yards.
TC –
Jenkins – 4 rec, 70 yards, 2 TD; Coker – 6 rec, 68 yards; Rossi – 1 rec, 51
yards; Richardson – 1 rec, 40 yards; Sitton – 2 rec, 39 yards, TD; Carter – 2 rec, 28 yards, TD.
Total Yards

WP – 496.

TC – 448.

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Football: West Potomac at T.C. Williams Preview

By Phil Murphy

Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area

**Click here to see other previews from around the region!**

West Potomac (2-5, 1-3) at T.C. Williams (3-4, 1-3), 3 p.m. Saturday

Last Week: West Potomac beat Lee, 14-7; T.C. Williams lost to Woodson, 20-6

PowerPoints: West Potomac – 14th (Div. 6); T.C. Williams – 12th (Div. 6)

Offensive Rank (Pts/Game): West Potomac – 15th (Div. 6); T.C. Williams – 12th (Div. 6)

Defensive Rank (Pts/Game): West Potomac – T12th (Div. 6); T.C. Williams – 4th (Div. 6)

West Potomac enters this Saturday game riding high after a 14-7 home win over Lee last week. In that game, the Wolverines were outgained by 90 yards in the first half, but held an 81-yard advantage after the break.

They forced a safety, senior receiver Daryl Copeland returned the ensuing safety 64 yards for the go-ahead score and senior linebacker J.P. Marinelli provided the icing with a 17-yard pick six in the final minute. The win kept West Potomac’s playoff hopes alive.

T.C. Williams also had a successful outing, forcing nine three-and-outs, but was paralyzed by the top team in Division 6, Woodson, 20-6 at home. The Titans gained just three yards on 34 snaps in the second and third quarters combined. They had three total first downs, none in the second half.

Senior running back Cortez Taylor took a pitch 61 yards for a score on the second play from scrimmage, but was held to 27 yards on 12 carries after that and left with a shoulder injury.

If he can go, expect the T.C. Williams to look to get him the ball in space, both to exploit his speed and keep the undersized star away from West Potomac’s handful of 300-pound defensive linemen.

The Wolverines will likely pressure the Titans on passing downs and trust their defensive backs in man coverage. Last week, the Cavaliers blitzed outside linebacker Logan Hancock with immense success. He had nine tackles, four for loss.

T.C. Williams would be wise to counter with tunnel screens by wide outs Bennie Jenkins and Aziz Coker.

West Potomac would be well-served to keep things conservative offensively, playing behind its talented line.

The Titans playmakers all over its defensive back, namely senior rover Israel Richardson, and are ranked fourth in Division 6 in points per game allowed. And no Division 6 team has scored fewer points per game than the Wolverines.

Until 2003, West Potomac dominated this series. But, since, T.C. Williams won three of the last five.

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

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Football: W.T. Woodson 20, T.C. Williams 6

By Phil Murphy

Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area

**Game story posted for all the readers. Highlights and photos available at the top-left for people like me.**

Woodson and T.C. Williams both entered with underrated defenses, ranked in the top five in Division 6 in points per game allowed.

Saturday’s meeting in Alexandria did nothing to hurt that statistic.

Rain bogging down the two spread offenses didn’t either.

The Cavaliers held the Titans to three net yards over 34 second- and third-quarter plays, beating them, 20-6, on their Homecoming through a continuous downpour.

T.C. Williams and Woodson combined for 21 three-and-out offensive series. The Cavaliers forced 12.

“That’s one thing we learned this year — after the playoff loss[, 72-47, to West Springfield] last year where we gave up all the points. We felt like, during the offseason, the thing we needed to do was make the defense stronger,” Cavalier coach Trey Taylor said.

“They were a little slow at the beginning of the year, but the last three games they’ve really come on strong.”

Added senior linebacker Josh Hogan on the 12 three-and-outs: “That’s a team goal right there. Usually, we have to get three and we got [12]. That’s great for us.”

Hogan had a game-high 12 tackles, an interception, a fumble forced and a fumble recovery.

He anchored a linebacking corps that wreaked havoc on T.C. Williams for the final 47 minutes Saturday.

Titan senior Cortez Taylor broke free for a 61-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage to give the hosts a 6-0 lead. Other than that run, Woodson allowed 45 yards on 57 plays and no points.

On Taylor’s run, Cavalier junior linebacker Logan Hancock was stacked behind the defensive tackle, reading the play in the backfield. That was the last snap Hancock did not blitz off the edge.

He finished with nine tackles, second only to Hogan. Two were for loss, two were for no gain and one forced a turnover on downs.

“The  [Titans] have great athletes out there — better athletes than we have — and we didn’t want to be running with them downfield,” said Taylor, whose team did not allow a first down in the second half. “We just wanted to get to [the quarterback] before he could get the ball off.”

Added Hancock: “I love my position. I think coming off the edge every time, getting myself hyped, getting my team hyped, making the quarterback scared, that’s a good feeling.

“It was a really good defensive game. We all just stuck our gaps and the scoreboard showed it.”

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

Box Score               1    2    3    4    —    F  

W.T. Woodson       0    6    6    8    —   20
T.C. Williams           6    0    0    0    —    6

Scoring Plays                               

1Q — TCC. Taylor 61 run (kick blocked) — 11:14
2Q — WTJohnson 10 run (kick failed) — 10:17

3Q — WTNgampa 27 run (run failed) — 5:21
4Q — WT
Stokes 5 run (Hogan from Reilly) — 2:43

Passing
WT – Reilly – 11-for-22, 50 yards.
TC –
Murphy – 3-for-22, 25 yards, 2 INT.

Rushing

WT – Stokes – 20
car, 129 yards, TD; Ngampa – 3 car, 27 yards, TD; Johnson – 5 car, 24
yards, TD; Reilly – 14 car, -4 yards.
TC –
C. Taylor – 13 car, 88 yards, TD; Garner
– 4 car, 12 yards;
Jenkins – 3 car, 1
yard; Carter – 5 car, -1 yard; Rossi – 1 car, -3 yards; Murphy – 2
car, -5 yards; Crawley – 1 car, -13 yards.

Receiving

WT – Le – 2
rec, 19 yards; Breslin – 2 rec, 15 yards; Fridley – 3 rec, 13 yards; Stokes – 1 rec, 9 yards; Hogan – 1 rec, 4 yards; Johnson – 1 rec, 1 yard; Dunn – 1 rec, -11 yards.
TC –
Conteh – 2 rec, 15 yards; Coker – 1 rec, 10 yards.
Total Yards
WT – 226. TC – 106.
Leading Tacklers
WT – Hogan – 12; Hancock – 9; Johnson – 6. TC – Richardson – 9; Abbe – 7; Isley – 7; Benton – 6; Roy – 5; Sanders – 4.
Times Targeted
WT – Le – 6; Breslin – 4; Fridley – 4; Hogan – 2; Stokes – 2; Johnson – 2; Dunn – 1; Collins – 1. TC – Conteh – 5; Jenkins – 5; Carter – 4; Garner – 4; Coker – 3; C. Taylor – 1.
Time of Possession (First Half TOP)
WT – 26:04 (11:08). TC – 21:56 (12:52).
First Downs (Total; Run-Pass-Penalty)
WT – 12; 10-2-0. TC – 3; 2-1-0.
Three-and-Outs Forced
WT – 12. TC – 9.

**Click here for highlights from around the Northern Region**

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Football: Week 7 — Weekend Preview

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

*Games are listed by district, then alphabetically by road team. Click a team’s name to read the preview for that game.

Week 6 Highlights

**Click here for SCORES!!

Email pmurphy@digitalsports.com with scores.

**Updated PowerPoints to be posted after the conclusion of Saturday games**

GAME POSTPONEMENTS
Centreville at Chantilly, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
Oakton at Herndon, Monday, 7 p.m.
Westfield at Robinson, Monday, 7 p.m.
Fairfax at South Lakes, Monday, 7 p.m.
Jefferson at Langley, Still On!
Madison at Stone Bridge, Monday, 7 p.m.
Marshall at McLean, Still On!
Falls Church at Edison, Still On!
Hayfield at Wakefield, Still On!
Washington-Lee at Mount Vernon, Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Yorktown at Stuart, Still On!
Annandale at West Springfield, Still On!
Lee at West Potomac, Still On!
South County at Lake Braddock, Still On!
W.T. Woodson at T.C. Williams, Saturday, 1 p.m.

NORTHERN REGION WEEK 7:  BY THE NUMBERS
431-10 — Fourth quarter yardage advantage for Centreville in the last two weeks.
8.23 — Yards per attempt for Robinson junior quarterback Mike LoPresti this season.
364 — Receiving yards for Fairfax senior Alex Young in the last four weeks after seven yards in the first two.
741, 632 — Rushing yards in the last four weeks for Edison senior Angus Harper and Falls Church senior Marcus Hughes, respectively.
27.8 — Yards per touch on seven carries, one reception and one punt return for Hayfield senior Rayshawn Rigans last week.
77.8 — Combined points per game in the West Springfield-Annandale series in the last four years.
14 — Most points for Robinson in six all-time meetings against Westfield. The Rams are 1-5 against the Bulldogs.
4 — Players that touched the ball for Stone Bridge last week in its 28-20 road win over Fairfax.

CONCORDE DISTRICT
Centreville (2-4, 0-1) at Chantilly (3-3, 0-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Centreville lost to Herndon, 35-30; Chantilly lost to Robinson, 35-21
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Centreville (Div. 6) T13th; Chantilly (Div. 6) T9th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Centreville 7th; Chantilly 2nd
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Centreville 14th; Chantilly 8th

Last season, the Chargers snapped a 12-year losing streak in the Sully Bowl with a 34-14, road win over the Wildcats.

Chantilly running back Torrian Pace (Youngstown State) had 27 carries for 180 yards and three scores.

Stephen A. Smith: HOWEVAH, Centreville wide receiver Warren Denny (still Centreville) had five grabs for a bill and two scores in that game. And, this year, Denny is hot.

He had three catches for 72 yards and a touchdown last week again Herndon (4-2), and was inches from the game-winning score in the final seconds. Senior quarterback Cam Walter had 361 passing yards in the five-point home loss to the Bugs, including 212 on 10 fourth-quarter completions.

But one week after rushing 44 times for 440 yards in a win over Mount Vernon (0-6), Centreville was held to 54 rushing yards on 29 carries.

Last week, in a home loss to Robinson, the Chargers held the Rams to 210 rushing yards, their second-lowest total of the season.

The key for Chantilly to keep Centreville from its first Concorde win since Oct. 26, 2007 is stopping the multi-faceted running game, most notably senior home-run hitter Adam Garrity. Plugging into that role are senior linebackers Billy Pratt and Jeffrey Lawhorne.

The Chargers have gotten off to hot starts in the last two weeks, outgaining the Hawks and Rams by a combined 492-188. They’ll need every one of those early-game gains against the Wildcats.

Centreville has outscored its last two opponents 37-0 in the last 11 minutes, and held a combined 431-10 yard advantage over those teams in the fourth quarter.

Oakton (3-3, 0-1) at Herndon (4-2, 1-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Oakton lost to Westfield, 35-13; Herndon won at Centreville, 35-30
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Oakton (Div. 6) 7th; Herndon (Div. 6) 5th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Oakton 12th; Herndon 3rd
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Oakton 6th; Herndon 11th

The Cougars have taken seven of the last 11 games in this series and three of the last five.

Last year, they avenged a season-ending road loss in 2007 with a dominant, 38-13 home win that capped the first undefeated season in Oakton history.

After two straight losses this season, Herndon rebounded nicely at Centreville last week, but nearly watched its win slip away as the Wildcats scored the final 16 points. The Hornets needed an interception by senior cornerback Brian Curran in the end zone as time expired to prevent a miracle come-from-behind victory.

That near collapse was aided by the in-game loss of three-year starting quarterback Zack Ozycz, who was injured early in the third quarter on a sack. Herndon was outgained 239-39 after he was hurt.

A silver lining was its improved run defense. The Hornets entered allowing 227.2 rushing yards per game, but held the Wildcats to 54 yards on 29 carries — they were coming off a 440-yard rushing night.

The Cougars, meanwhile, had their roughest outing of the season. Staggering Westfield scored the first 21 points, recovered two blocked punt for touchdowns and beat Oakton, 35-13, in Vienna.

Both of the Cougar touchdowns came in the final 96 seconds of a half, including a one-yard score by junior Jordan Willetts with :01 second left in regulation. Aside from its final drive, Oakton had four total first downs.

This will be a telling game for the defending Division 6 champion Cougars. A loss would require them to win out to make the playoffs, that with a season-ending schedule that closes at Robinson and at Chantilly.

The key to this match-up will be both Ozycz’s health and Herndon’s front seven. The former maintains offensive balance — ground-breaking, I know.

The latter was outstanding last week and will need a similar performance to slow Oakton’s stable of tailbacks. The Cougar trio of receivers will fare better than their three catches for three yards for last week, but that depends solely on how much respect the Hornets’ talented secondary has to give to the running game.

Westfield (2-4, 1-0) at Robinson (6-0, 2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Westfield won at Oakton, 35-13; Robinson won at Chantilly, 35-21
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Westfield (Div. 6) 11th; Robinson (Div. 6) 1st
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Westfield 10th; Robinson 1st
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Westfield 4th; Robinson 2nd

Westfield had hands-down its best showing of the season next week on all three sides of the ball in a 35-13 road win over Oakton. It recorded 4.46 yards per play offensively, held the Cougars to four first downs before their final drive and blocked two punts — props to seniors Ryan Sweet and Dylan Doty — that were recovered for touchdowns.

Kudos to seniors Ashton Moss and Nick Grinups for the six-point recoveries.

Let’s show the Bulldogs what they’ve won: The top-ranked offense and second-ranked defense in Division 6, Robinson.

The Rams are the lone unbeaten team in D6, and have been since Week 4. Their running attack, featuring senior Connor Riley and junior Jared Velasquez, has not been held under 200 yards all season. Riley has 640 total yards and 12 scores — six in the last two weeks — and Velasquez has 695 yards and 10 house calls.

Junior quarterback Mike “Double Pits to” LoPresti is averaging 8.23 yards per pass attempt for the season (!!!) and has only thrown one interception this year.

No love has gone to the Robinson offensive line, but that unit is dirty-good.

But, as much as Westfield has struggled in the win column, it has the fourth-ranked defense in Division 6, behind the two Bendorf bunches and T.C. Williams. The aforementioned punt-blocking quartet have had a lot to do with that, so does junior linebacking wizard Harry Van Trees.

For the Bulldogs to get their second-straight road upset, they must hold the Rams under 150 rushing yards.

Robinson’s running game ranks second to Lee in the Northern Region. Westfield allowed 274 yards to the Blue Line in Week 4, a one-point, overtime home loss.

All-time, the Bulldogs lead this series 5-1. The Rams have never scored more than 14 points in any one of those.

LIBERTY DISTRICT
Fairfax (2-4, 1-2) at South Lakes (5-1, 4-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Fairfax lost to Stone Bridge, 28-20; South Lakes won at Madison, 21-14
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Fairfax (Div. 6) 12th; South Lakes (Div. 5) 3rd
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Fairfax 14th; South Lakes 3rd
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Fairfax 12th; South Lakes T2nd

Fairfax has won three of the last five games in this series, including a 38-12 win in 2004.

But few teams have as much momentum as South Lakes.

Junior Ja’Juan Jones has 87 carries for 841 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, including all three scores in the 21-14 road win over Madison last Saturday.

The Seahawks came into that game with the top-ranked Division 5 offense and faced the Warhawks’ top-ranked Division 5 defense. But it was the South Lakes defense that secured the win. Madison had three drives of 3 minutes, 56 seconds or longer that resulted in zero points, including a first-quarter drive that spanned 8:47 and ended in a punt.

When Fairfax strings together first downs against the now-No.2-ranked D5 defense, it has to be more efficient than that.

Last week, the Rebels gave the Bulldogs their closest district match in four years, falling 28-20, and was a blown-dead onside recovery from having a possession to tie. But in its final scoring drive before the overturned recovery, Fairfax burned 8:37 of clock.

The X-factor will be the match-up of Seahawk junior defensive backs Sean Price and Seth Hauter against Rebel senior Alex Young, the favored target of senior quarterback/defensive back/special-teamer Jack Bechert.

In the first two weeks of the season, Young had two total receiving for a whopping seven yards.

Then, he friended me on Facebook.

In four games since, Young has 20 catches for 364 yards and six touchdowns.

Coincidence? Yes.

Also, keep an eye on Fairfax senior linebacker Rami Ghanizadah and senior defensive lineman Jordan Yost. They are assigned the unenviable duty of slowing the No. 3 rushing offense in the Northern Region.

Jefferson (0-6, 0-3) at Langley (2-4, 1-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Jefferson lost at McLean, 38-0; Langley beat Marshall, 21-7
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Jefferson (Div. 5) 13th; Langley (Div. 6) T13th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Jefferson 15th; Langley 15th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Jefferson 15th; Langley 10th

Langley has won six of its last eight meetings with Jefferson. The Colonials only wins were in 2003 and 2004, the only two years it finished with a better record than the Saxons.

Jefferson is in desperate need of a spark. It has the lowest-scoring offense of any public school in the state — having been shut out in five-straight games — and give up the fourth-most points per game among Virginia AAA teams.

The Colonials, unfortunately, run into a Saxon team that has found its stride in recent weeks.

Langley beat two-loss Herndon, 28-13, two Saturdays ago and methodically surpassed Marshall, 21-7, last week. Both were road wins.

Senior tailback Abe Yi had 30 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns in those games. While they still have the lowest-scoring offense in the Division 6 Northern Region, the Saxons started their roll with sophomore standout Marcus Harvey in a walking boot.

The key to this game is Langley’s defensive front seven, headlined by senior defensive end Maurice Scott and senior linebacker Austin Pritchett. Jefferson will show a multitude of offensive sets to keep the defense off-balanced.

If Scott, Pritchett and company can get pressure on Colonial sophomore quarterback Kevin Karn, the Saxons will be in great position for their best defensive showing of the season.

Expect a big first half for either Langley junior receiver Troy Scharfen or senior receiver Artie McGonigal.

Madison (3-3, 2-2) at Stone Bridge (6-0, 3-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Madison lost to South Lakes, 21-14; Stone Bridge won at Fairfax, 28-20
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Madison (Div. 5) 7th; Stone Bridge (Div. 5) T1st
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Madison T10th; Stone Bridge T1st
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Madison 1st; Stone Bridge T2nd

Even with its home loss to South Lakes last week, Madison maintained its spot as the top-ranked defense in Division 5.

The Warhawks’ reward: The team that the Seahawks were tied with among Division 5 offenses last week.

Stone Bridge is now tied with Hayfield instead of South Lakes, and presents four formidable offensive threats. Those four players — junior tailback Marcus Harris, junior quarterback Kyle Gouveia, junior tailback Adrain Thomas and junior athlete Spenser Rositano — were the only four players to get offensive touches in the Bulldogs’ closest Liberty District win in four years.

Still, Stone Bridge improved to 31-0 all-time with its 28-20, road win over Fairfax.

Enter Madison, the team annually honored as princes to Liberty kingship, which has resided in Ashburn for as long as current players can remember.

But should the Bulldogs win, the Warhawks will suffer their third district loss. The last time Madison lost three Liberty games (2004) was also the last time it missed the playoffs.

And the Warhawks lost another key contributor, junior C.J. Keliher, to a broken wrist last week. Add him to the laundry list of players with clipped wings.

The key to this game is the Madison running game. The more it can shorten the game, the better opportunity it has to spring the upset.

Only twice this season, though, have the Warhawks cracked 4.0 yards per carry, one was last week. Madison was plagued by three long drives that ended without points, including an 8-minute, 47-second first-half march that ended in a punt.

Stone Bridge’s defense is tied for second among D5 teams in points allowed and has been remarkably efficient in replacing four graduated Division-I signees in its front seven.

Bulldog junior Rob Burns — who is hard to miss at 6-foot-7, wearing No. 9 — is the key plug of the Warhawks’ trap and super power rushes.

In the last two years, Stone Bridge has outscored Madison, 62-7. The Bulldogs are 6-0 all-time in this series.

Marshall (0-6, 0-3) at McLean (4-2, 2-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Marshall lost to Langley, 21-7; McLean beat Jefferson, 38-0
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Marshall (Div. 5) 12th; McLean (Div. 5) 5th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Marshall 14th; McLean 6th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Marshall 12th; McLean 5th

McLean senior Riley Beiro was held to a season-low 11 carries for 40 yards last week in a 38-0 home win over Jefferson. Still, he had a 33-yard reception and two rushing touchdowns.

Beiro has 835 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in five games.

Though the Statesmen have the same number of wins as the Colonials, their defense is much more formidable. Namely, senior defensive end Andrew Embree is a man.

The Highlanders would be well-served to direct their rushing attempts attempts away from Embree, a strategy other teams have tried with limited success.

Offensively, Marshall is getting closer to an effective formula.

With senior Justin Stalcup as the feature running back and senior Ryan Walter under center, the Statesmen are finally stringing drives together on a week-to-week basis.

But McLean’s defense ranks fifth in Division 5 and has a number of ball hawks that have caused trouble against every opponent. Those shout-outs go to junior defensive back Chase Mills, junior linebacker Thomas Overby, senior bantam Cameron Payne and junior defensive end Andrew Hunt.

That is in addition to senior defensive lineman Anthony Maestri and sophomore defensive end Scotty Lafoon, who each had defensive touchdowns in a 24-21 win over Madison.

The Statesmen are 27-16 all-time in this series, including the last four meetings. The Highlanders won six of seven before that recent streak.

NATIONAL DISTRICT
Falls Church (2-4, 1-2) at Edison (5-1, 3-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Falls Church beat Wakefield, 28-27 (OT); Edison beat Yorktown, 42-10
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Falls Church (Div. 5) 11th; Edison (Div. 5) 4th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Falls Church 9th; Edison 4th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Falls Church 11th; Edison 4th

This is a match-up of two potential first-team all-district running backs in Falls Church senior Marcus Hughes and Edison senior Angus Harper, two of the hottest tailbacks in the region over the last month.

Last week, in a one-point overtime win over Wakefield, Hughes carried 34 times for 191 yards and three touchdowns. On those three scores, he brought a total of eight Warriors in the end zone with him.

Hughes has 144 carries for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, 741 yards and 10 touchdowns in the last four weeks.

Meanwhile, in Alexandria last week, Harper carried 21 times for 181 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-10 win over Yorktown.

He has 108 carries for 728 yards and nine touchdowns this year, 632 yards and all nine scores in the last four weeks.

Dating back to an overtime win for the Jaguars on Oct. 16, 1998, the Eagles have won 10 straight games in this series, combined score 380-97.

Drop the last number and you’ll have the average score.

Edison has never been held to less than 24 points in any one of those games, Falls Church has never scored more than 22.

The Eagles are looking for their 21st-straight win over a National District opponent. For the Jaguars to prevent Black Jack, Hughes needs a 200-yard night and senior quarterback Ajay Kashyap needs a healthy ankle.

More than that, Falls Church will look to senior defensive lineman Kyle Ruttkay to pressure Edison senior quarterback Levi Barber on option plays. If he can’t and Harper hits the corners on a pitch, Edison will cruise to a win.

Hayfield (4-2, 3-0) at Wakefield (0-6, 0-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Hayfield beat Mount Vernon, 48-13; Wakefield lost at Falls Church, 28-27 (OT)
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Hayfield (Div. 5) 6th; Wakefield (Div. 5) 14th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Hayfield T1st; Wakefield T10th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Hayfield 8th; Wakefield 13th

Welcome back, Rayshawn Rigans.

After being held to two rushes for 14 yards in a 49-14 road loss to Chantilly two weeks ago, the Hayfield senior rolled up 250 all-purpose yards on nine touches last week. That’s 27.8 yards per touch.

Rigans’ outburst propelled the Hawks to a 48-13 home win over the Majors and moved Hayfield into a tie with Edison for first place in the National District.

It also pushed them into a tie with Stone Bridge for highest-scoring offense in Division 5.

Wakefield is coming off its best opportunity for a win so far this season, but it fell by one at Falls Church in overtime on a blocked extra point.

Still, Warrior senior receiver Aaron Hunt erupted for five receptions, 148 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Drew Powell continued his weekly improvement, as well.

But Wakefield gave up 238 rushing yards, 191 to Falls Church’s feature back. It had difficulty making tackles inside the 10-yard line, which ultimately cost them.

The Warriors need to have better run defense against Rigans, Hawk sophomore Steve Lynch (10 carries, 77 yards, two scores last week) and senior Anton McCallum.

Couple that with a repeat of Hunt’s performance and Wakefield has a shot.

Look for Hayfield sophomore outside linebacker Anthony Wilson to join McCallum in slowing down Powell through the air, while senior defensive end Marshall Evans will be called upon to slow Wakefield’s handful of capable backs.

The Hawks won the last two meetings in this series, both out-of-district in the last two years, 12-0 and 35-21.

Washington-Lee (3-3, 2-1) at Mount Vernon (0-6, 0-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Washington-Lee beat Stuart, 34-21; Mount Vernon lost at Hayfield, 48-13
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Washington-Lee (Div. 5) 8th; Mount Vernon (Div. 5) 15th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Washington-Lee 12th; Mount Vernon 13th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Washington-Lee 10th; Mount Vernon 14th

Washington-Lee coach Josh Shapiro is going to **** me for saying this.

Whatever. He’s short and I can take him.

After losing running back Charlie Fuller to graduation, the coaching job he and his staff have done in getting this team back into the playoff hunt for the second-straight season — after a 32-year absence preceding his arrival — rivals McLean’s single-season turnaround and warrants discussion for him to be Northern Region Coach of the Year.

The return of senior David Roddy from an offseason skateboarding accident has not hurt either. Roddy had the game-sealing, 75-yard run against Jefferson two weeks ago and the game-changing, 81-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the second half in a win over Stuart last week.

If the Generals hold serve, they’ll finish 5-5 and squeak into Division 5 playoffs.

The team they volley with this week, however, may object.

DigitalSports records go back to 1998. Mount Vernon has played Washington-Lee 12 times in that span.

The Majors have won 11 games — two last year — by an average of 23.0 points per game.

Last year, the Generals were worn down by the bigger, more imposing Major offensive line, losing at home in the regular season and on the road in the playoffs.

This year, there is less of a size disparity in the trenches, so the onus switches from interior linemen to outside linebackers to make a stop. Namely, for Washington-Lee, that’s junior Moussa Diallo on defense.

For Mount Vernon to get its first win of the year, it has to slow down junior running back Anthony Taylor, who rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns last week.

While the Majors’ playoff hopes may already be dashed, they can still salvage the season by spoiling the Generals’ efforts for a repeat performance. If the game goes like the first three quarters at Centreville two weeks ago, Mount Vernon has a serious chance.

Yorktown (2-4, 1-2) at Stuart (3-3, 2-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Yorktown lost at Edison, 42-10; Stuart lost at Washington-Lee, 34-21
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Yorktown (Div. 5) 9th; Stuart (Div. 5) 10th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Yorktown 8th; Stuart 7th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Yorktown 9th; Stuart 6th

Stuart ranks ahead of Yorktown in both points scored and points allowed per game.

Yet, their strength of schedule finds the Raiders trailing the Patriots in PowerPoints, even with a better win-loss record.

This match-up features two quarterbacks that get lost in the greater region picture, thanks in large part to the attention paid to Edison’s QB.

Yorktown senior Sam Nottingham and Stuart junior Jason Friday are dangerous, dual-threat options and both are pivotal to their respective offenses.

Neither team can afford a loss here. Recent history heavily favors the Patriots.

Since 1998, Yorktown is 11-0 against Stuart, holding a steep 468-121 scoring advantage in that time. In the last nine meetings, the Patriots have surpassed 48 points seven times.

The X-factor here is linebacker play.

Yorktown and Stuart each have capable running backs between the tackles, so Patriot senior Charles Banks and Raider senior Carl Wilson are focal points for defensive success.

PATRIOT DISTRICT
Annandale (3-3, 1-2) at West Springfield (3-3, 2-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Annandale lost to T.C. Williams, 31-7; West Springfield lost at South County, 28-16
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Annandale (Div. 6) 8th; West Springfield (Div. 6) 6th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Annandale 11th; West Springfield 6th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Annandale 7th; West Springfield 13th

West Springfield is the highest-rated 3-3 team in Division 6 and is part of a five-way tie for first in the Patriot District, even with its 28-16 loss at South County last week.

Annandale was expecting it to be a six-way tie for first, but was beaten handily at home by T.C. Williams, 31-7, last week. The Titans returned three interceptions for scores, two held up without penalty.

The Atoms look for a rebound against the Spartans, one of the more battle-tested teams in the Northern Region.

Three of West Springfield’s six opponents so far would host playoff games if the postseason started today. The Spartans are 0-3 in those games.

This game features two of the best wide receivers in the district, and two possible first-team all-region players: Annandale junior Melvin Robinson and West Springfield senior T.J. O’Connell.

Robinson was the only sophomore — one of three underclassmen — to make the first-team last year. He has 21 catches for 391 yards and four touchdowns this season.

O’Connell has 31 grabs for 572 yards and three scores. He has 230 yards in the last two weeks.

The wet conditions might jeopardize that highly anticipated match-up. Conversely, the rain also may cause unsure footing for defensive backs and allow the two studs to run rampant.

No matter what happens, expect fireworks. In the last four years, the teams combine for 77.8 points per game in this series.

Annandale leads the all-time series, 18-10. West Springfield, though, has won seven of the last 10 meetings.

Lee (5-1, 2-1) at West Potomac (1-5, 0-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Lee lost at Lake Braddock, 28-21; West Potomac lost at Woodson, 42-7
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Lee (Div. 5) T1st; West Potomac (Div. 6) 15th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Lee 5th; West Potomac 13th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Lee 7th; West Potomac 15th

There are two ways to look at Lee’s Week 7 game at West Potomac:

1)
It has its first chance to rebound after a loss this season to the team
that yields more points per game than any other in Division 6,

2)
The most significant factor in its lost at Lake Braddock last week, its
size, will only be a greater detriment against this bruising oppoent.

Lancer senior Idreis Augustus
was held to a season-low 71 yards on 16 carries against the Bruins, but
only registered two carries in the final 18 minutes after suffering a
quad injury. Still, backfield mate, senior Jazmier Williams
filled in nicely, with 15 carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns, as
well as the game-tying two-point conversion late in the third quarter.

Lee senior wide receiver Aaron Jackson
had his second long touchdown reception in as many weeks and had a
74-yarder called back for a penalty. A deep threat only makes the most
explosive defense in Division 5 all the more dangerous.

West Potomac, meanwhile, continues to be crippled by injury as it had to turn to junior varsity quarterback Martin Cade in its 42-7 road loss to Woodson last week.

Cade
proved ready for the challenge, though, completing 4 of his 9
second-half passes for 46 yards, the Wolverines’ only touchdown and an
interception. He added nine rushing yards despite being sacked three
times.

The game was actually decided in the second quarter when the Cavaliers rung up 28 unanswered points.

West
Potomac brought seven men on almost every snap. Woodson adjusted by
sending its slot receivers on bubble screens and its X- and Z-receivers
on sluggo routes to counterattack the man coverage. Cavalier senior
quarterback Connor Reilly went 7-for-9 passing for 125 yards and three touchdowns in that period.

If
the Wolverines pack the box to take away the option and send casino
blitzes on every down, expect the Lancers to counteract with Jackson
and senior receiver Myquan Johnson on those slant-and-go routes. Also, if Augustus plays, watch for him to line up in the slot for bubble screens.

It
will allow him to get the ball in space — never a good thing for
defenses — and get him away from West Potomac’s colossal defensive
line.

Wolverine senior linebacker Shakil White will need to have a huge game for West Potomac to hand Lee its second-straight loss.

The Wolverines own a four-game winning streak in this series.

South County (5-1, 2-1) at Lake Braddock (4-2, 2-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: South County beat West Springfield, 28-16; Lake Braddock beat Lee, 28-21
Playoff Seeding (SOS): South County (Div. 6) 2nd; Lake Braddock (Div. 6) 4th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): South County 8th; Lake Braddock 5th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): South County 1st; Lake Braddock 9th

No Division 6 match-up this week has as many playoff implications as the game between No. 2-seed South County and No. 4-seed Lake Braddock.

The Stallions enter with the top-ranked scoring defense in either Division 5 or Division 6 and held the Spartans without a touchdown until the 1-minute, 25-second mark in the fourth quarter last week.

The Bruins may be the only team in the district — if not the region — with a more impressive win. They derailed the Blue Line and handed the Lancers their first loss, 28-21, in Burke.

Last year, South County earned its first all-time win against Lake Braddock, 32-27, in Lorton. Stallion running back Eric Dorsey ran for two scores, caught a touchdown and even threw for touchdown in the home win over the Bruins.

This year, all eyes will be on South County senior halfback David Jordan, who rushed 19 times for 90 yards and three scores in the win over West Springfield last weekend. After only gaining 103 total yards in the Stallions’ first three games, he has 303 yards and six touchdowns in the last three.

South County is 5-0 this season when it gains more than 4.00 yards per carry.

Lake Braddock, though, offers arguably the most formidable front four in the region with senior Keli Doe in the middle and junior Emmanuel Adetunji coming around the end.

Adetunji had two sacks, two tackles for loss and two pass deflections in last week’s win over the Lancers.

Lake Braddock held both Robinson and Lee, the top two rushing attacks in the region, to their lowest yardage totals of the season. Those games came after yielding 60 total yards to Westfield and T.C. Williams.

The Bruins and Stallions are part of a five-way tie for first place in the Patriot District.

With a win, South County equals its all-time best single-season win total: 6. It has reached that in each of the last three seasons.

W.T. Woodson (5-1, 2-1) at T.C. Williams (3-3, 1-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Last Week: Woodson beat West Potomac, 42-7; T.C. Williams won at Annandale, 31-7
Playoff Seeding (SOS): Woodson (Div. 6) 3rd; T.C. Williams (Div. 6) T9th
Offensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Woodson 4th; T.C. Williams 9th
Defensive Ranks (ppg/Div): Woodson 5th; T.C. Williams 3rd

Alexandria will play host to two of the more underrated defenses in Division 6 Saturday afternoon.

The Cavaliers ranked fifth in points per game allowed, the Titans sit third.

Last week at Annandale, T.C. Williams returned two interceptions for scores and had a third called for a penalty away from the play. The Titans looked as good as they have all year and caught a talented Atom team off-guard.

The Cavs won’t be caught by surprise.

This is the fastest secondary Woodson has seen, but senior Connor Reilly is staking his claim as a first-team all-region quarterback, moving further ahead of the pack every week. After posting a season-best 9.80 yards per pass attempt against Westfield two weeks ago, he put up 10.04 against West Potomac last week.

That includes a 7-for-9, 125-yard, three-touchdown second quarter.

Facing seven-man pressure, Reilly exploited the Wolverine man coverage with bubble screens for quick releases and sluggo routes when he had more time. Without safety help, senior Brendan Breslin, Colin Dempsey and Josh Hogan each caught touchdowns.

The Cavaliers were aided in that 28-point quarter by two onside kick recoveries.

This game will be decided when T.C. Williams has the ball. It has relied on its defense in big games all year to keep things close until the offense can provide timely scoring.

The Titans moved the ball late against the Bruins, but Lake Braddock’s defense had already provided too many points of its own for T.C. to overcome.

In wins against Oakton and Annandale, fourth-quarter defensive touchdowns proved the difference.

Woodson has to put the game away when it has the chance. T.C. senior scatback Cortez Taylor, junior receiver Bennie Jenkins and senior Aziz Coker are simply too dangerous to have within a score in the fourth quarter.

Offensive conservatism and a heavy dose of senior running back James Johnson will pay dividends for the Cavaliers. If the turnovers are equal, Woodson should win.

But against T.C. Williams, an even turnover day is far from assured.

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

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T C Williams High School 7, Annandale High School 31

By: A Community Contributor

10/09/2009 – The T.C. Williams High School boys’ football team defeated Annandale, 31-7, in a none-league game.

Tyrell Dixon was key in the running game against Annandale last Friday.

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Football: Top 10 Plays — Week 6

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

Previous Weeks’ Top 10s:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5

Week 6 Top 10 Plays

Hon. Mention — Ja’Juan’a TD?
South Lakes junior Ja’Juan Jones explodes for a 59-yard, go-ahead touchdown at Madison — it proved the game-winner — in the Seahawks first win over the Warhawks in seven years.

Hon. Mention — Hunt’ing for the End Zone
Wakefield wide receiver Aaron Hunt caught five passes for 148 yards and three scores against Falls Church Friday, none more impressive than this 52-yard touchdown grab.

Hon. Mention — Flying Solo
Chantilly senior running back Solomon Yeon drops a would-be tackler at the line of scrimmage and heads 77 yards for a go-ahead score. It proved less-than-enough as the Chargers fell, 35-21, at home.

No. 10 —
Dumping Dempsey
It’s one thing when a player lowers his head to run over a tackler to get that extra yard. It’s another when said player takes out his own teammate. Woodson senior Paul Fridley saw red on this screen and accelerated through senior kinsman Colin Dempsey for a 17-yard gain. The Cavs won, 42-7, on Homecoming.

No. 9 Rigans 27.8 Yards Per Touch
Hayfield senior Rayshawn Rigans only had seven carries, one reception and one punt return, but racked up 250 all-purpose yards in the Hawks’ 48-14 home win over the Majors.

No. 8 T.J. Uses Whole Body for Catch
West Springfield lost, 28-16, at South County Friday, but Spartan senior receiver T.J. O’Connell provided the highlight of the night with this 28-yard, bounce-off-a-defender, ankle-tap reception with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

No. 7 – Another Nebrich in the Wall
Lake Braddock junior Michael Nebrich had his best showing of the season in a 28-21 win over previously unbeaten Lee Friday. This pinball 35-yard touchdown run helped the cause.

No. 6 Honest Abe Gets Deceptive

Langley senior tailback Abe Yi had 14 carries for 85 yards, most of which came on this disappearing act of a 52-yard touchdown trot. The Saxons beat the Congressmen, 21-7, on the road.

No. 5 Hughes Won’t Be Denied
Falls Church senior running back Marcus Hughes is quietly turning in one of the best seasons in the region. He has 124 carries for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns in six games. This vicious run sparked a one-point overtime win against Wakefield.

No. 4 Harper Four-Pack
Edison senior running back Angus Harper carried 21 times for 181 yards and four scores in a 42-10, home win over Yorktown Friday. He added one reception for 20 yards. Harper also had 181 yards and 20 receiving yards against Mount Vernon in Week 3.

No. 3Rowdy Roddy
In his second week since returning from an offseason skateboarding accident, Washington-Lee senior David Roddy broke the game open with this 81-yard kickoff-return touchdown. The Generals beat the Raiders, 34-21.

No. 2 Ridin’ Doty is Sweet
Westfield turned in a pair of blocked-punt touchdowns in its 35-13 road win over Oakton. Bulldog senior Ryan Sweet had the first block, recovered by senior Ashton Moss in the second quarter. Senior Dylan Doty‘s rejection led to a touchdown recovery by senior wrestler Nick Grinups.

No. 1 Today’s Letters: T.C., Today’s Number: 6
Isreal Heads Back to the Homeland
Late in the third quarter at Annandale, T.C. Williams junior linebacker Israel Richardson turned in a 69-yard pick-six to stretch the Titans’ lead to 24-7.

Damien Good
T.C. Williams junior linebacker Damien Benton clinched the Titans’ 31-7 road win with this 50-yard interception return for a score in the fourth quarter.

Please send comments to: pmurphy@digitalsports.com.

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Football: T.C. Williams 31, Annandale 7

By Phil Murphy

Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area

Please send any video title corrections to pmurphy@digitalsports.com

*Click the Video link on the top-left to view all the highlights from this game.

Box Score           1    2    3    4    —    F  

T.C. Williams       0   10  14   7    —   31
Annandale           0    7    0    0    —    7

Scoring Plays                               
2Q — TC C. Taylor 24 run (Benites kick)

2Q — AN Adams 1 run (MacQueen kick)
2Q —
TC Benites 30 run — 2:34

3Q — TC — Jenkins 11 from Murphy (Benites kick)10:08

3Q — TC — Richardson 69 interception return (Benites kick)
4Q — TC — Benton 50 interception return (Benites kick)

**Stats not available, portions of first quarter not on tape.**

**Click here to see highlights from around the region**

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Football: T.C. Williams at Annandale Preview

By Phil Murphy

Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area

**Click here to see other previews from around the region!**

T.C. Williams (2-3, 0-2) at Annandale (3-2, 1-1)
Last Week: T.C. Williams lost at West Springfield, 15-14; Annandale lost at Lee, 33-23
Playoff Position (SOS): T.C. Williams (Div 6) 10th; Annandale (Div 6) 6th

Since Week 3, both the Titans and Atoms have found tough sledding.

T.C. Williams fell to Lake Braddock at home before losing to West Springfield on a 45-yard, third-quarter field goal last week. Annandale, for its part, lost at home to Oakton and gave up 301 rushing yards to Lee last week in a road defeat, 257 of which were in the second half.

In the ultra-competitive Patriot District, a loss could prove fatal for the playoff hopes of both the Titans and Atoms.

Annandale is in a four-way tie for third place in the district with Lake Braddock, South County and Woodson, all anticipated playoff participants. T.C. Williams sits a game back, tied with West Potomac.

These teams have contrasting styles, but both are full of players to watch.

It starts with the home run threats. For the Atoms, that’s junior receiver Melvin Robinson, who has cracked 90 yards in each of the last two games.

For the Titans, it’s senior lightning bolt Cortez Taylor, who is second-to-none in the open field in terms of pure speed — and, yes, that includes Lancer senior Drizzy Augustus.

Annandale needs another big game from senior Stacey Anderson, who scored on a 12-yard reception and recovered an onside kick last week at Lee.

T.C. Williams needs to minimize turnovers and use its athletic defense to create some when Annandale looks to open things up. The Titans have thrown eight interceptions in the last two weeks.

Since a 28-25 T.C. win back on Oct. 2, 1999, the Atoms have won eight of the last nine games in this series, average score: Annandale 27, T.C. Williams 9.

Only twice in those last nine meetings have the Titans managed more than 20 points, one of which was their 21-3 win in 2008.

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

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Football: West Springfield 15, T.C. Williams 14

By Phil Murphy

Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area

Please send any video title corrections to pmurphy@digitalsports.com

*Click the Video link on the top-left to view all the highlights from this game.

Box Score                    1    2    3    4    —    F  
T.C. Williams              7    7    0    0    —   14
West Springfield        0    6    9    0    —   15

Scoring Plays                               
1Q — TC — Carter 2 run (Benites kick) [not on tape] — 4:04
2Q — WS — Collins 3 run (run failed) — 10:58
3Q — TC — Carter 1 run (Benites kick) — 0:58
3Q — WS — Collins 5 run (pass failed) — 6:46
3Q — WS — McConnell 45 FG — 3:08

**Stats unavailable**

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