Gameday Notebook: Week 6 Northern Region
STERLING, VA - With all the anticipation we had of district play being in "full force" and teams being at the midway point of the year, we can't help but say that last week in the Northern Region was a bit lackluster. There were no crazy upsets and all the favorites won. No real close games or barnburners. Yawn.
Well, welcome to Week 6, where we have the best match-ups to date. So wake up after last week's portion of games and stay alert, because we have several games that will surely impact the region. But before we dive into Week 6, let's rewind and look at the week that was.
ARENA BOWL II
Whenever you go to a West Springfield game, you know you will be in for a show. Last week that was the case as they got into a shootout with Annandale in a 54-41 victory. There were over 900 yards on offense and nearly 100 points scored. That was certainly five bucks well spent if you like offense or arena football. But if defense is more your style, then we suggest not attending West Springfield's next game against West Potomac. Last year, the final score was 81-74 in favor of West Potomac.
COUGAR SIGHTING
Don't look now, but Oakton is suddenly 3-2 and back on the winning track. Their crushing 32-10 defeat of Langley is proof of that and with Chantilly on the horizon, this team could make quite a splash if they were to pick up the win. With running back Trey Watts back to full health and the ground game getting better each week, we are suddenly seeing visions of those great Oakton teams we've seen in years past.
BARBER'S SHOP
Edison quarterback Ben Barber put on a show last Friday against Wakefield. The highly rated prospect threw for 105 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns, and managed to rack up 76 yards receiving and another touchdown. Those resemble backyard football type numbers more than anything else. Barber and his team have a big game against Yorktown this week which should determine the National District champ. A performance like last week, and you can guarantee Edison will walk off with another district title.
BEWARE OF BRUINS AND CAVS?
Both the Lake Braddock Bruins and Woodson Cavaliers are quietly 4-1, but it's tough to get a read on either team. Woodson has played less than marginal competition and their lone loss was to none other than Lake Braddock. Lake Braddock meanwhile also hasn't played the toughest of opponents, and their lone loss came to Robinson in the opening week of play. Woodson is matched up against Westfield this week, so that will serve as a good indicator as to where this team is. For Lake Braddock, their test will come against West Potomac in two weeks.
SHOWTIME!
Like we mentioned earlier, we have some great match-ups in the Northern Region this week. First, there is a district title on the line out in Alexandria when Yorktown goes up against the Edison Eagles. These two have been going at it over the past decade and this game every year has helped determine the National District champion. Go further south into Alexandria and you'll stumble upon the game that will likely decide the Patriot District champ. The game we're talking about is the West Springfield and West Potomac match-up, and these are two of the better teams in the area with an abundance of Division I prospects.
Head out west on I-66 and you'll encounter what is turning into quite a heated rivalry between Oakton and Chantilly. A lot of these students went to middle school together, but when it comes to football, these two just want to beat the heck out of each other. Finally, the last great game on the night will be between Robinson and Centreville. If you like defense and old school football, come to this game. Centreville loves to get three yards and a cloud of dust while Robinson also loves to pound the ball away. But whatever game fans make it out to, these games will have extreme playoff and district consequences, so be prepared for some great football.
