By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area
**Click here for previews from games around the Northern Region in Week 10!!**
Robert E. Lee (6-3, 3-3) at T.C. Williams (5-4, 3-3), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
PowerPoint Ranking: Robert E. Lee – 2nd (Div. 5); T.C. Williams – 8th (Div. 6)
Offensive Rank (ppg in Division): Robert E. Lee – 6th (25.0); T.C. Williams – 9th (21.4)
Defensive Rank (ppg in Division): Robert E. Lee – 6th (19.0); T.C. Williams – 6th (18.8)
Last Week: Lee beat West Springfield, 30-27; T.C. Williams won at South County, 17-10
The Lancers’ high-octane offense had it atop Division 5 through three weeks, but it has slipped to sixth in points per game in recent weeks. They are facing the sixth-ranked defense in Division 6.
But, remember, Lee played four of the top five D-6 defenses already, beating two. Also, it’s been without senior running back Idreis Augustus for three-and-a-half games.
When he pulled his groin early in the second half at Lake Braddock, he was leading the region in rushing.
Now, he’s back.
And he’ll see an athletic defense that shocked South County last week, forcing four turnovers in a 17-10, road win. Senior quarterback Joe Hargrove is 2-0 as a starter.
Hargrove will see the sixth-ranked defense in Division 5, featuring deserved-all-region linebacker Eric Wright, safety Dante Taylor — offered by Miami University (Ohio) recently — and a severely underrated defensive line.
All eyes around the region will be on this match-up Saturday in Alexandria. It finalizes the playoff picture for Division 5 and Division 6.
It also features two of the greater unknown elements in the region that will affect how the postseason plays out.
First, will Augustus be the same post-groin pull? If so, Lee has to be considered the Division 5 favorite. It was 5-0 before he got hurt with wins over Woodson (8-1) and Hayfield (7-2).
Secondly, can T.C. Williams repeat its performance against a quality defense? If so, Woodson, as deserving as they are of the top-seed in Division 6, is on upset alert, should it beat South County at home Friday. That’s a horrible reward for what would be a 9-1 regular season in the region’s toughest district.
Lee’s playoff situation looks like this:
Clinched playoff berth
Clinch No. 1 seed in Division 5 with win at T.C. Williams, Stone Bridge loss to South Lakes AND losses by West Springfield, Heritage, South County, Edison OR Marshall.
Clinch No. 2 seed in Division 5 with win at T.C. Williams and Stone Bridge win OR losses by West Springfield, Heritage, South County, Edison AND Marshall.
Clinch No. 2 seed in Division 5 with loss at T.C. Williams and Hayfield loss at Edison.
Clinch No. 3 seed in Division 5 with loss at T.C. Williams and Hayfield win at Edison.
Can finish no lower than No. 3 seed.
T.C. Williams’ is like this:
Clinch no worse than No. 7 seed with win.
Can finish as high as No. 5 seed with losses by Chantilly and Westfield.
Can qualify for playoffs with loss if Lake Braddock beats West Springfield, Jefferson beats Fairfax and Chantilly beats Oakton.
Something tells me Woodson is hoping T.C. Williams springs the upset.
Since Lee joined the Patriot District in 2005, it is 4-0 in this series.
Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com
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