Gameday Power Poll - Week 5
Jeremiah Wilson and the Handley Judges scored a huge upset last week when they upended then-#4 Sherando by a score of 21-19...
Photo By: Tim Barlow/ Gameday Magazine
Chris Coyer and #5 Oakton are cruising at this point as shown by their big 42-3 win over Langley. Up next for Oakton is a crucial Concorde District match-up against #9 Chantilly...
Photo By: Dave Bernhardt/ Gameday Magazine
It may not seem like it, but we're already at the midway point of the 2008 season. So far, there are ten teams across the Northern Virginia area that remain undefeated, all of whom could easily be crowned district or region champs by the end of the year. As they tussle and fight with one another throughout these last six weeks, things will obviously get much clearer, but at the halfway point, the championship scene is cloudy and clustered.
Just last week, we laid witness to two upsets, as #4 Sherando and #10 Liberty dropped games to Handley and Osbourn respectively. That opened up the door for Chantilly to come back into the Power Poll, our only one loss team that is ranked, but it also paved the way for Potomac Falls to jump in as well. As a team not viewed to do much before the season started, they suddenly find themselves with a great shot to capture a district and even a region title.
1. STONE BRIDGE (5-0)
Previous: 1
Last Week: 51-13 win over McLean
This Week: at South Lakes
With a dominating 51-13 win over McLean last week, that puts the Bulldogs at 5-0 on the year as they continue to plow on through their Liberty District schedule. In all five of their victories, Stone Bridge has managed to score at least six touchdowns while surrendering no less than 13 points in their past four games. This appears to be a team in cruise control at this point and will not likely be tested until they enter the playoffs.
2. WOODBRIDGE (5-0)
Previous: 2
Last Week: 35-8 win over Franklin County
This Week: BYE
Coming into the bye week, the Woodbridge Vikings can't be any happier as to where they stand as a football team. Following their decisive 35-8 win over Franklin County, they've established themselves as a clear contender for the Division 6 state championship. While proving to have a very potent offense up to this point, it's their defense that has everyone's attention. This is a team, much like Stone Bridge, which has controlled every opponent they've played, and don't expect that trend to stop anytime soon.
3. BATTLEFIELD (4-0)
Previous: 3
Last Week: 29-0 win over Stonewall Jackson
This Week: at Osbourn Park
On the other end of the county across from Woodbridge are the Battlefield Bobcats who, following their 29-0 shutout over Stonewall Jackson, have also established themselves as a dominant force. Undefeated at this point, Battlefield looks to have a clear upper hand in the Cedar Run District and all signs point to an eventual meeting in the playoffs with Woodbridge.
4. WESTFIELD (5-0)
Previous: 5
Last Week: 21-14 win over Robinson
This Week: vs. Woodson
The defending Division 6 state champs move up one spot in the Power Poll thanks to a Sherando loss. Yet the Bulldogs barely survived to stay ranked as it took a late fourth quarter touchdown from Jordan Anderson to beat Robinson last week. With a home game against Woodson, look for Westfield to rebound strong, but a big game against Oakton looms large for this team in three weeks.
5. OAKTON (5-0)
Previous: 6
Last Week: 42-3 win over Langley
This Week: vs. #9 Chantilly
Don't look now, but Oakton is on a tear, and their timing couldn't be any better. Facing the #9 Chantilly Chargers this week in a huge Concorde District matchup, the Cougars appear to be in full stride at this point, which is a bad sign for the rest of the Northern Region. Their 42-3 win over a solid Langley squad opened more than a few eyes, making this team appear as the state title contender many predicted them to be.
6. EDISON (5-0)
Previous: 7
Last Week: 36-6 win over Wakefield
This Week: at Yorktown
Slowly making their way up the Power Poll are the Edison Eagles. As expected, they've been rolling right on through their National District schedule, but do face a tough test this week when they travel out to face rival Yorktown. If they were to get past the Patriots, then this team could be staring at an undefeated regular season with only #9 Chantilly standing in the way.
7. BROAD RUN (4-0)
Previous: 8
Last Week: 29-0 win over Briar Woods
This Week: at Heritage
The Broad Run Spartans came out last Friday and made quite the statement to the rest of the area with their 29-0 shutout of Briar Woods. There is no doubting this is a team on the rise and is starting to look like the lead contender for the Region II title. The Spartans still must get by Heritage this week as well as #10 Potomac Falls three weeks from now, but could very well be on pace to put together another undefeated regular season.
8. WEST POTOMAC (5-0)Previous: 9
Last Week: 17-7 win over Hayfield
This Week: at West Springfield
Since entering the Power Poll two weeks ago, West Potomac has had to squeak out two close victories to stay undefeated and ranked. After notching a double overtime victory over Lee last week, the Wolverines just narrowly clawed on past Hayfield by a score of 17-7. Now with West Springfield on the docket this week, they'll be in for perhaps the biggest game of the year as the winner would gain the upper hand in the Patriot District race.
9. CHANTILLY (4-1)
Previous: NR
Last Week: 28-10 win over Herndon
This Week: at #5 Oakton
It sure didn't take long for Chantilly to climb their way back into the Power Poll. With their impressive 28-10 win over Herndon, coupled with Liberty's loss to Osbourn, this team is right back in the thick of things. They also now get a chance to shake up the entire Concorde District if they were to notch a victory over #5 Oakton, a team that is surging at this point.
10. POTOMAC FALLS (4-0)
Previous: NR
Last Week: 48-21 win over Heritage
This Week: at Loudoun County
Many fans may not have predicted Potomac Falls to be here at the midway mark of the season, but here they are, undefeated and ranked, but more importantly have a shot at taking the Dulles District title. Following their huge 48-21 win over Heritage, it's clear this team is in fact a contender rather than a pretender. They have a tough match with Loudoun County this week, but are on a collision course with #7 Broad Run in three weeks.
HONORABLE MENTION
11. Handley (3-1): With Handley's huge 21-19 win over previous #4 Sherando, it's now apparent this team is here to contend for not only a district title, but a region championship as well.
12. Sherando (3-1): The Warriors had looked poised to duplicate last year's success, but after being upset by Handley last week, they now find themselves standing 0-1 in district play and outside the Power Poll.
13. West Springfield (3-2): With three straight wins following an 0-2 start, West Springfield is starting to slowly resemble last year's team. With a win over #8 West Potomac this week, this team will likely be ranked once again.
14. Fauquier (4-0): Fauquier is undefeated at this point, but have yet to truly be tested. A game against Osbourn next week will tell us a lot more about this team.
15. Potomac (3-1): True, the Panthers may have been completely destroyed in Week 1 to #3 Battlefield, but this young team is slowly starting to get better. Now at 3-1, they may even contend with Woodbridge for the Cardinal District title.
