Gameday Power Poll: Week 5
STERLING, VA - We're now officially halfway through the football season and we can't help but say we are a little bit surprised with some of the teams around the area.
First, out in Prince William County, there seems to be a lack of dominant teams like we're so used to seeing over the years. Call it mediocrity or parity, but either way this has caused the Northern Region squads to take over our poll, but for good reason. Instead of the traditional Concorde powers ruling the scene, several Patriot and Liberty District teams have stepped up and shown they are just as deserving. For the AA schools, it's nothing too much out of the ordinary and we can't say we're too surprised although some of the better schools in that classification have really impressed us early on.
But enough with us rambling on and on. Here's how we rank the Northern Virginia area football scene halfway through the season:
1. WESTFIELD 5-0
Previous Week: 1
Next Up: at Woodson
Westfield continues to roll as they successfully dismantled Robinson 38-7, a team considered to be a top contender in the region this year. Westfield is a team right now that is rolling and flat-out tough to stop. The preseason hype early on was deserved and there's no telling how high this team can climb.
2. SHERANDO 5-0
Previous Week: 2
Next Up: at Central
Staying undefeated are the Sherando Warriors who were able to put to sleep cross-town rival Handley by a score of 23-14. We've maintained all year that Sherando is as good as anyone else in the area and now visions of an undefeated season seem to be a very possible reality. Every Division 4 team in the state of Virginia needs to take note of this team.
3. CHANTILLY 4-1
Previous Week: 3
Next Up: vs. Oakton
The Chargers bounced back nicely after their loss to Westfield with a 35-7 win over Herndon. Their next contest with Oakton will be a lot tougher however as the Cougars will be coming out with guns-a-blazing. Chantilly beat this team twice last year including in the playoffs and no one from Oakton forgot those two losses. Chantilly will certainly be in for a fight this week as Oakton will have a little sweet revenge on their minds.
4. STONE BRIDGE 4-1
Previous Week: 4
Next Up: vs. South Lakes
Since getting battered by the Rams in Week 2 by a score of 41-14, the Stone Bridge defense has allowed a total of only seven points in their last three games. Expect more of the stingy Bulldogs defense when South Lakes comes to town.
5. WEST SPRINGFIELD 4-1
Previous Week: 5
Next Up: at West Potomac
One of the area's most dynamic offenses was putting on another clinic, this time against Annandale. The Spartans put up 54 points on the defending Patriot District champs, but on the other hand, they did allow 41 points. With this week's huge game against West Potomac that should be a bit of a concern, but either way, that game will tell us a lot about this Spartan team.
6. PARK VIEW 4-0
Previous Week: 7
Next Up: vs. Freedom- South Riding
Park View moves up one spot after their win over Loudoun County. Expect this team to continue to win, and much like Sherando, this is a team very capable of pulling off an undefeated season.
7. FAUQUIER 4-0
Previous Week: 8
Next Up: vs. Loudoun Valley
The Falcons continue to soar as they beat Culpeper County last week 42-14. This team sent out a message with their Week 1 win over Liberty and have been cruising ever since. They enter the heart of their district schedule in the next couple of weeks which should determine whether or not this team really is a legit Northwest Region title contender.
8. POTOMAC 4-0
Previous Week: NR
Next Up: at Osbourn
Potomac finally enters the Power Poll after spending several weeks sitting directly on the doorstep. The Panthers this year again look to be the top contenders in Division 5 of the Northwest Region. Yet their #8 ranking is just the beginning for this team, expect them to continue to climb the Power Poll.
9. MADISON 5-0
Previous Week: 9
Next Up: vs. Langley
For the Warhawk fans wondering how their 5-0 team stayed at the #9 slot, the answer we give them is that other teams are doing a better job of proving their worth. Wins against Jefferson, Wakefield, and South Lakes don't look too attractive, but a win over Langley would surely help their status.
10. WEST POTOMAC 5-0
Previous Week: NR
Next Up: at # 5 West Springfield
The West Potomac Wolverines have the record that warrants a top 10 ranking, but this week's clash with West Springfield will be the first major test this team has faced this season in our opinion. A win over Bryn Renner and the Spartans will convince us and many others that the Wolverines belong among the elite in the Northern Region.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:
BROAD RUN 4-0: Broad Run is again a serious contender to once again enter the Power Poll after their 21-15 victory over Briar Woods. Any slip-ups from the teams currently in the Power Poll, and you can expect the Spartans to take their place.
BATTLEFIELD 3-1: It's time for us at Gameday to no longer ignore the Bobcats. They've knocked off Gar-Field and just recently Stonewall Jackson and their lone blemish is to #8 Potomac. This is another team that can seriously climb the Power Poll.
EDISON 4-1: Edison continues to win, but like Madison, they haven't been able to back up their record with any quality wins. A win against Yorktown this week however will change that sentiment.
STONEWALL JACKSON 3-1: The Raiders slip from our Power Poll after their loss to Battlefield last week. Injuries seem to be plaguing this team and that has to be a concern at this point in the year.
GAR-FIELD 3-1: After a bye last week, the Indians now look to resume their winning ways against Freedom-Woodbridge. Big games against Hylton and Potomac loom large for this team after that however.
