Gameday Power Poll - Week 4
Despite allowing over 100 rush yards to Chantilly's Torrian Pace, Westfield was able to walk away with a convincing 32-7 win...
Photo By: Marc Gold/ Gameday Magazine
Stone Bridge continues to keep their opponents under wraps as they beat out cross-county rival Loudoun Valley 64-13...
Photo By: Dave Bernhardt/ Gameday Magazine
With Chantilly's 32-7 loss to Westfield, the Power Poll has been shaken up quite a bit. Seven teams changed spots and we have one newcomer to the Power Poll. Right now, there's a clutter of elite teams in the Power Poll who have yet to lose a game, and that's pretty much the standard.
Yet don't expect the number of undefeated and elite teams to stay at its current rate. Week 5 of the season brings with it several key matchups where we can expect several to possibly fall. For now, it's clear the favorites have held true to their preseason billing, but as we saw with Chantilly, how long their luster lasts remains to be seen.
1. STONE BRIDGE (4-0)
Previous: 1
Last Week: 64-13 win over Loudoun Valley
This Week: vs. McLean
It was rivalry time for Stone Bridge last week when they faced Loudoun Valley, yet the Bulldogs easily dispatched of their cross-county rival with a 64-13 win to retain their number one ranking. Aside from their opening night victory over West Springfield, Stone Bridge's average margin of victory is now at 52 points per game, an astonishing statistic by any means. So far, this team has done their part to prove their current ranking.
2. WOODBRIDGE (4-0)
Previous: 2
Last Week: 31-3 win over Osbourn
This Week: vs. at Franklin County
Just like the other team in the area with a -bridge suffix, Woodbridge is taking care of their opponents with ease. To this point, the Vikings are making a case as being the best Division 6 team in the entire state, and they helped their cause greatly with their 31-3 win over Osbourn. Everyone already knows of DeAntwan "Rocket" Williams yet their defense is starting to look just as impressive, which is something that does not bode well for the rest of the Northwest Region.
3. BATTLEFIELD (4-0)
Previous: 4
Last Week: 27-21 win over Hylton
This Week: vs. Stonewall Jackson
Battlefield looked to be on cruise control last week against Hylton as they took a commanding 20-0 lead early, but had to survive quite a scare from Hylton to save their spot in the Power Poll. In fact, with Chantilly losing, Battlefield moves up one spot in the Power Poll thanks to their win last week. This week the Bobcats will entertain cross-town rival Stonewall Jackson, a team they narrowly escaped last year.
4. SHERANDO (3-0)
Previous: 5
Last Week: 55-7 win over Warren County
This Week: at Handley
Sherando is certainly considered a AA state contender, but they're trying right now to make a case as the best team in the area regardless of classification. To this point, the Warriors have plowed through everyone they played as their average margin of victory is 41.3 points per game. Without a doubt, it's clear this team has reloaded and should be one to keep an eye on as the weeks progress. On Saturday, they'll face their toughest opponent on the year in Handley, a team with plenty of young talent who have proven to be a district title contender themselves.
5. WESTFIELD (4-0)
Previous: 6
Last Week: 32-7 win over Chantilly
This Week: vs. Robinson
Many thought Westfield might be unable to compete this year following the loss of 18 starters to graduation. Last week, Westfield took all those thoughts and notions and disproved everyone of them as they thrashed Chantilly by a score of 32-7. They only move up one spot due to the other teams ahead of them continuing to play strong, but this team is starting to look increasingly better as each week goes by. By all means, Westfield looks to now be a district, region and state title contender.
6. OAKTON (4-0)
Previous: 7
Last Week: 38-7 win over Fairfax
This Week: vs. Langley
Oakton notched their first Concorde win of the year last year after they beat Fairfax 38-7. They're slowly starting to make their way up the Power Poll, but face a tough test this week when they host Langley. Maybe one of the bigger surprises on the year, Langley has put together a solid year and certainly has what it takes to upset Oakton and drop them from the Power Poll.
7. EDISON (4-0)
Previous: 8
Last Week: 47-21 win over Mount Vernon
This Week: vs. Wakefield
Head coach Vaughn Lewis's squad continues to win as they defeated Mount Vernon, a team many thought would contend with Edison for the district title, by a score of 47-21. Their place in the Power Poll appears to be safe for now as they play Wakefield this Friday, but the Eagles do face a challenge next week when they have to travel out to battle Yorktown.
8. BROAD RUN (3-0)
Previous: 9
Last Week: 53-13 win over Brentsville
This Week: vs. Briar Woods
Broad Run moved to 3-0 this past week following their 53-13 drubbing of Brentsville, but face their first test of the year when they host Briar Woods on Friday. Both teams enter the game undefeated, and the winner will likely be the one standing in the Power Poll while also being able to lay claim as the Dulles District frontrunner.
9. WEST POTOMAC (4-0)
Previous: 10
Last Week: 28-21 (OT) win over Lee
This Week: vs. Hayfield
Following three straight weeks of our number ten ranked team losing, West Potomac nearly continued that streak but instead prevailed in overtime to get the win and stay in the Power Poll. So far this year, West Potomac looks to be the team to beat in the Patriot, but faces a huge obstacle in West Springfield next week. For now, however, their spot in the Power Poll looks safe as they play host to Hayfield this week.
10. LIBERTY (3-0)
Previous: NR
Last Week: 41-32 win over Stafford
This Week: at Osbourn
Say hello to the Liberty Eagles, the newcomer in our Power Poll. Although certainly no stranger to success, Liberty seems to have the makings of district contender this year. They face Osbourn and Stonewall Jackson in the next two weeks, but have a monster matchup with #3 Battlefield, which will tell us plenty about this squad.
HONORABLE MENTION:
11. Chantilly (3-1): With Chantilly losing by four touchdowns to #5 Westfield, they drop entirely out of the Power Poll, but it's not unrealistic at all to see this team climb back in the thick of things. However, it won't be easy as they have to face a tough Herndon squad this week.
12. Briar Woods (3-0): The Falcons will play in perhaps their biggest game of the year when they travel out to Broad Run as a win will not only make them the frontrunners for a district title, but will certainly give them access to the Power Poll.
13. Potomac Falls (3-0): Potomac Falls has made it perfectly clear so far that they intend to compete for a district and region championship, but must get past a quality Heritage opponent to make that happen.
14. Langley (3-1): We stated earlier Langley may in fact be the surprise of the year for the Northern Region and can prove they're the real deal if they can pull off the upset of #6 Oakton.
15. Herndon (3-1): Watch out Concorde District for Herndon. After losing to Langley, the Hornets bounce back to handily defeat longtime Concorde District stalwart Centreville. A win against Chantilly this week will go a long way towards establishing this team's legitimacy.
