Throwdown Week: #1 Westfield vs # 2 Chantilly
Chantilly Chargers @ Westfield Bulldogs
Thursday, September 20, 2007
6:30pm pre-game, 7:30pm kickoff
Chantilly, VA. Westfield High School
Broadcast Media:
TCC Sports Game of the Week
Live Worldwide On The Gameday Radio Network
Coverage Starts at 6:30pm Thursday at GamedayMagazine.com
CHANTILLY, VA - The Chantilly Chargers (3-0, #2) and the Westfield Bulldogs (3-0, #1) will square off Thursday night in what has quickly become a heated rivalry between the two cross-town rivals. Chantilly boasts convincing wins against Langley, Washington-Lee and most recently a 49-0 triumph of 2006 Patriot District champion Annandale. Westfield soundly defeated South County, Lee and Hayfield respectively to open their season. The two Concorde District powerhouses have outscored their opponents a combined 250-33. Westfield will be looking to avenge their loss to the Chargers in the 2006 Northern Region championship, while Chantilly will try to prove their run to the state championship was no fluke. This clash of Concorde titans is a must-see, as two teams with state championship aspirations compete for an early edge and a whole lot of bragging rights.
Key Match-up: The Chargers have three running backs who could start for nearly any Northern Region team. Seniors Antonio Cross and Bugsy Urrutia and junior Torrian Pace have been wreaking havoc on opposing defenses all season. The Bulldog defense, which has only allowed 13 points so far, will be the biggest, fastest and most disciplined group they have faced this season. If Westfield can stymie the Chargers ground game, Chantilly will have to resort to an unproven passing game.
Nuggets of the Game:
Presented by Chick-fil-A
For Chantilly:
- Establish the run game early
- Keep pressure on QB Glennon
- Win the possession battle
For Westfield:
- Force QB Decker to beat them with his arm
- Don't give up the big play
- Get the ball to WR's Kruchko and Pickett
Players To Watch:
Chantilly's Torrian Pace has been an absolute menace for opposing defenses this season. The junior running back has amassed 348 yards and six touchdowns on just 26 attempts. Even while splitting time with two other backs, Pace has still found a way to rack up huge numbers against three tough defenses. Westfield is going to need more than one player to bring this 220-pound back down.
Our Prediction: Both Chantilly and Westfield are so well-coached that it seems incriminating to say one won't be ready for this game. Chantilly opened its season against a tough Langley squad and is coming off a 49-0 win over a top 10 opponent in Annandale. Westfield has played a relatively easy schedule against second-rate teams South County, Lee and Hayfield. The trio of bruising Charger backs Antonio Cross, Torrian Pace and Bugsy Urrutia couldl catch the Bulldog defense off guard. Chantilly's defense will need to play its best game to have a chance as Bulldog QB Mike Glennon is as good as any signal caller in the state. This winner of this game will be the team that most likely has the ball last....
Projected Weather:
Mix of sun and clouds. Temperatures in the mid 60s.
