Gameday Notebook: Week 5 Northern Region
STERLING, VA - It's hard to believe we're entering the halfway point of the season. Times like these make it seem appropriate that there is an extra week of playoff football because the season flies by so fast. Heck, let's add two more regular season games because before we know it, we'll have our district champs crowned and be looking forward to the playoffs! For now though, we'll do our best to focus on the present and enjoy our football while it lasts.
So as usual at Gameday, we talk about the sights and sounds of all things Northern Region football during this time of the week. Enjoy!
FOOTBALL SUPREMACY
Anyone at the Westfield-Chantilly game on Thursday knows what an incredible experience that was. On a Thursday--not a Friday--there were nearly 8,000 fans in attendance for a regular season game that felt more like a championship game than anything else. Even the softball stands were jam-packed with people trying to get a view of the game. Combine the fact that the game was played in a first-class stadium with two top rate teams, you get the impression that you are witnessing a college football game. Not many places do it better than the Concorde District schools, and last Thursday they truly put on a great show.
CAUTION: WILDCATS AHEAD
Everyone in the Northern Region knows Centreville as a dynasty that has ruled this area for some time. Yet with coach Skinner no longer the head coach and the Wildcats losing their opener to West Potomac, many came to disregard the Wildcats. Three weeks later however, and we see a totally different team from Week 1. They don't give up the big 'homerun' type of plays and their offense is finally finding some consistency. What that all means for Centreville is that they don't give up any points. No literally, this defense just doesn't surrender any points. Centreville every year is a program that churns out a bevy of talented players, and there is no telling how far this team can go if they continue to develop each week.
S.O.S
Thomas Jefferson, Lee, and Stuart are all hurting right now. Both have yet to win a game and are searching hard for a light at the end of the tunnel. Lee has faced all future playoff teams, so they get a pass and are certainly better than their record indicates. Yet for Jefferson and Stuart, both are in desperate need of a spark at this point. Stuart scored four touchdowns in a loss to Yorktown last week but as for Jefferson, they've scored only three touchdowns all year. Either way, a win come as a great relief for these teams.
REMEMBER THOSE TITANS?
It looks like a sleeping monster is possibly showing signs of life. What was a dominant program in the state during the 1970's and 80's eventually turned into lackluster program that has struggled to win from year to year. Yet new head coach Dennis Randolph is injecting new life into this program and it's showing. Last week his Titans went out and knocked off the defending Patriot District champion Annandale Atoms and they gave Centreville and Oakton fits as well. Now entering district play, T.C. Williams could be a team to watch out for.
REPRESENT!
Carrying the flag for the 703 last weekend were the Robinson Rams. Going up against DC-power Anacostia, they did a great job of representing the Northern Region in their dominant 40-14 victory over the Indians. Anacostia has featured some very highly ranked prospects recently, so the news of a resounding win for the Rams was great news for many Northern Region fans.
CRUISIN'Westfield, Madison, West Potomac are now the only undefeated teams left in the Northern Region. Westfield enters the heart of the Concorde schedule, so staying unbeaten will be a bit harder to do. As for Madison and West Potomac, they will likely cruise to a 5-0 record as they go up against the likes of Jefferson and Hayfield, teams who have a combined record of 1-7. Next week will be a different story however when Madison squares off against Langley and West Springfield tangles with West Potomac.
