Can't Miss Preseason Games
If you want to find a passionate football fan, find one that loves scrimmages. Since it's the best way of looking into the future, passionate fans love these early pre-season games. While we know they mean absolutely nothing, we still want to believe they matter.
It is, after all, the only football we've seen since December, so we go crazy for it. It's like finding a hungry bunch of third graders and telling them you'll buy them a Happy Meal but instead give them one chicken nugget.
Passionate football fans (such as this writer) may put way too much stock into a preseason game, but can you blame us? We're starving for football and we need something to satisfy our appetites. So for all those other fans who also share in our pain, we've made things easier for you. We've highlighted the best preseason games in the area to go and watch, and trust us, it'll get you through to the first game of the year.
8/15/2008
Varina at Centreville TBD
Coach Pannoni at Centreville decided to be aggressive right off the bat and scrimmage Central Region power Varina. The Blue Devils have terrorized the Richmond area for many years, and you can bet this will be a great test for Pannoni's veteran bunch. What hurt Centreville last year was their slow start on offense, but if they can move the ball on Varina, that's bad news for the Northern Region.
Potomac at Briar Woods 5:00 PM
It's quite apparent head coach Charlie Pierce isn't afraid to scrimmage anyone. He went out and grabbed AAA Division 5 state finalist Potomac, who's been known for their speed on defense and smash-mouth offense. Potomac is a school that's been winning consistently for the past five years, and if Briar Woods can hang tough with them, then you can bet they'll get the rest of the Dulles worried.
Westfield at LC Bird 6:00 PM
Despite this game taking place at LC Bird, all of the Northern Region will be taking note of this matchup. With Westfield featuring an almost entirely brand new lineup, how they fare against this Central Region power will surely tell a lot about where this team is.
Dominion & Edison at Hayfield 6:00 PM
What makes this jamboree so intriguing is it's Karl Buckwalter's coming out party for his new team. He's worked wonders at McLean and Colonial Forge, and we'll finally get to see what he can do at Dominion. His first test will be against local Division 5 power Edison, who is a constant threat to challenge for a region and district crown every year.
Broad Run at Stone Bridge 7:00 PM
Oh boy. Does anything else need to be said about this one? People across Loudoun have begged for this one to played for the past couple of years now, but this scrimmage is the closest they'll get to playing.
South County at Oakton 7:00 PM
With Oakton returning almost every starter from last year, they're pegged by nearly everyone as a serious title contender. With a very uncharacteristic 5-5 finish from last year, this scrimmage against a quality South County squad will be a true measuring stick for this team.
8/16/2008
Handley at Potomac Falls 10:00 AM
Both programs in this one have high hopes for 2008 and badly want to improve from last year. After this one, we'll get to find out which one is closer to making that a reality.
8/20/2008
Chantilly vs. Potomac 9:00 AM at Poplar Tree field
Despite both of these programs serving as contenders in their respective regions, this is a game that will serve more as a proving ground for both. Chantilly is breaking in a new quarterback, while Potomac is breaking in a whole new offense and starting lineup.
8/21/2008
Potomac Falls at Salem 5:00 PM
Not only does coach Scott Woodlief have an incredibly tough non-district schedule, but his preseason schedule is probably even more impressive. Not only is he going up against Handley for their first scrimmage, but playing Salem the next week tops it all off. They're a program that's been loaded with history and tradition and are always a state title contender. If Potomac Falls can hang tough against Salem, then the Dulles will have gotten a whole lot more competitive.
Westfield vs. DeMatha 7:00 PM
Over the years, there hasn't been a better preseason game than this one. This matchup annually draws a solid crowd, and for good reason. It's Virginia's best versus Maryland's best, not to mention this is a great measuring stick for Westfield.
Oakton at West Springfield 7:30 PM
This could very well be a preview of the Division 6 region championship game. Both teams return a ton of talent and have plenty of high aspirations entering the season. We'll get to see which team is closer to making their title dreams a reality after these two go toe-to-toe.
Stone Bridge at Woodbridge 7:00 PM
If you're going to make it out to a preseason game, then make sure you attend this one. These are arguably each region's best teams, and it's a dream matchup you won't see materialize during the regular season.
Gar-Field & Lake Braddock at Centreville 6:00 PM
It's not often that you find a jamboree consisting entirely of playoff teams. Yet with this jamboree, scheduled to take place at Centreville, there will be a collection of some of Division 6's best. Whoever emerges as most impressive on this night will surely be on the fast track to a successful season.
8/23/2008
James Wood & Loudoun Valley & Martinsburg (WV) at Park View TBD
With Park View graduating so many seniors from last year's squad, they'll find out real quick where they stand after they square off against James Wood, Martinsburg and Loudoun Valley. Yet not only will coach Andy Hill's Patriots be testing themselves, we'll get to see how newly inserted head coaches Danny McGrath and Mike Bolin are faring at their respective schools.
