The Huddle: A Change Of Power in the Dulles?
QB Joe Bushrod is giving Raider Nation hopes of a Dulles District title in 2008
Photo By Jeff Schryver \ Gameday Magazine
QB Chris Jessop has his Broad Run Spartans sprinting towards another Dulles Distrcit title...
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine
Senior WR\KR Chad McMichael and his Potomac Falls Panthers in line to contend for the Dulles crown in 2008...
Photo By Marc Le Maitre \ Gameday Magazine
STERLING, VA - It is well documented that my knowledge base, and my reporting responsibilities, have been with the Dulles District over the course of the past few seasons. Not that I don't know any other District information...it's just that I like the Dulles competition. So when I mention how exciting I see the Dulles football race, already after the 1st week of District play, you know that I mean it!
Let's break it down... Park View has been the historical power over the past several years. Last year, the Broad Run Spartans had a magical season, and took the crown away from the Patriots, in the last game of the regular season, in marching to a 10-0 record. The Briar Woods Falcons continued to improve, and implanted themselves as a Dulles contender, making the play-offs for the 1st time in their short existence. The Heritage Pride fought hard all last season, played very good football, and missed the play-offs by mere percentage points. Well, aside from Park View, who are in a down year, the latter 3 teams have certainly marched into contention, and going into the 1st round of District play, are legitimate contenders for the 2008 title. But the Spartans are looking to keep that crown cemented on their heads.
With a new season comes new attitudes, new story lines, and now new contenders for the title. Enter the Potomac Falls Panthers and Loudoun County Raiders! I said all year that this year's Dulles District is any team's District to win. And with the exception of a couple of teams, I hit this one right on the head!
Panthers Claw Their Way To The Top...
I said that Potomac Falls really hadn't been tested going into their match-up against Heritage Friday night. The Panthers had outscored their opponents 138-44 to this point, and were 3-0. Heritage, too came into the game 3-0, and were playing exceptional football. Thus I said the game would be a low scoring, knock-down-drag-out game from start to finish. Well, I got the "knock-down" part right, but it was the Panthers who did the swinging from the start of the game, and rolled over the Pride by a score of 48-21. Pride miscues and blown coverages plagued the Leesburg team all night, and before the Pride scored their 1st touchdown, the scoreboard had 28 on the Panther side, and the game was never in doubt. So (head coach) Scott Woodlief's preseason claim that Potomac Falls WILL be a Dulles District contender was not just his way of sparking controversy and firing his team up...he actually meant it! And shame on us for not paying attention! Make no mistake...Heritage is a very good football team, and Potomac Falls had their way with them on this night. The Panthers, should they stay healthy (something that has plagued the program the past few seasons), are a legitimate contender!
Raider's Stake Their Claim, Too...
We have said all season that the Loudoun County Raiders are much improved from last year's 2-8 team, and that although they will beat a few teams along the way this year, the Raiders won't be a contender until, possibly, next year. I think we may have underestimated this team. Sure...the Raiders made us all raise an eyebrow when they went to James Wood earlier, and beat the Colonels 23-20, but we really didn't see this team much more than a 5-5 team, still. Loudoun County had to travel to Park View Friday night, and the odds were stacked against them. Until this night, they had relied on a very good passing offense to set up scores. Friday was a rainy night, with a very wet field. And to top it off, Park View had just come off a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Handley to regain a positive outlook on this year's season (after dropping their 1st two games), and it was a night where the community honored their 1st ever coach, Ed Scott. So the atmosphere at Park View was charged for a Patriot victory. But the Raiders employed a very impressive running game, a smothering defense, and pounded out a 21-4 victory, and now NO ONE will be looking past these Raiders the rest of the way. Tied for the Dulles lead now, separation is inevitable this week, as they will now host Potomac Falls, in a battle to stay in the hunt.
The Strong Get Stronger...
Broad Run showed everyone Friday night why they are still the team to beat in the District. Everyone picked them as the preseason favorite to repeat as champions, but they had to put that claim on the line against a very tough, and hungry Briar Woods team at Spartan Stadium. The Falcons, too, were looking for more respect than they have been given, and that they were legitimate title contenders. But the Spartans quelled all claims of this being the year of the Falcon...at least for now...by blanking their cross-town rivals 29-0. The Spartans defense clamped down on Briar Woods all night, and now share the top spot in the Dulles. But a date in Leesburg this week, against a Heritage team looking to get back in the hunt, looms large.
Down, But Not Out...
Although Park View, Heritage, and Briar Woods dropped their 1st Dulles games, don't count them out just yet. The Patriots still have time to right their ship, but their are many leaks in the Patriot hull! The Pride and Falcons stumbled, but have not fallen, and will stay strong in order to stay in the hunt for as long as they can. And although they may not garner the prize, play-offs still loom large
Still A Mixed Bag...
Let's face it...it was only the 1st week of Dulles District play, and it's still any team's title to grab. As always, 4 teams share the top spot after week 1, and 4 teams start with a loss. You will start to see distinct separation as the weeks go on. But the fact of the 2008 season is that there are new sheriffs in town who, for the moment, share supremacy, and all indication is that there should be no change in power until close to the end. But now every week will be a little more exciting to watch, and with a couple of exceptions, with no clear favorite in any outcome going in. Could this year's crown be painted Purple and Black or Blue and Gold? Or will it stay Maroon and Gold? The weekly story lines will change, undoubtedly. Let's look ahead at the important match-ups, and some projections:
Friday, October 3
Potomac Falls @ Loudoun County It doesn't get any easier for these 2 teams this week. One will continue on as a Dulles Top Dog, while the other looks to rebound and stay a step behind...Advantage: Potomac Falls
Broad Run @ Heritage
The Pride know they are a contender, and will look to correct the many mistakes they made last week, and upend a Spartan team they felt they should have beaten last year. The Spartans have a tough challenge, as that bull's eye gets bigger as the weeks go on...Advantage: Heritage
Dominion @ Briar Woods
Park View @ Freedom
The Falcons and the Patriots will use these games to stay a step behind the leaders...
Friday, October 10
Potomac Falls @ Park View
Should the Panthers be victorious against Loudoun County, this game will be huge for both teams, as it either gets the Patriots back in the hunt, or cements the Panthers as a true Dulles power. If the Raiders prevail, then this game will be a slobber-knocker! Neither team likes the other. Period. With so much on the line, this game will be tough to call, but look for Potomac Falls to have the edge...Advantage: Potomac Falls
Loudoun County @ Briar Woods
As in the reference above, should the Raiders beat Potomac Falls the week earlier, this game will have play-off implications. Something Raider Nation hasn't seen in a long time. If not, then we will certainly get clear separation and the Falcons will have the edge to stay as contenders...Advantage: Briar Woods
Friday, October 24
Potomac Falls @ Broad Run
This game could very well be for the Dulles championship by this point. With the home crowd behind them, a lot on the line, and experience on their side, look for the Spartans to have more at stake...Advantage: Broad Run
Heritage @ Briar Woods
If both teams handle their business to this point, and my projections are true, then a title could be on the line, as well as a playoff spot...Advantage: Heritage
Friday, November 7
Broad Run @ Park View
What a difference a year makes. Last year's game was for the title. This year, the only thing that could be on the line will be bragging rights. Advantage: Broad Run
Heritage @ Loudoun County
This is a game I see having play-off possibilities. The loser stays home, the winner plays another week, at least...Advantage: Heritage
So every week is virtually an important week, and anything could happen. I have watched each Dulles team's progression, and seen first hand their strengths and weaknesses. No longer is this a 2-3 team District race. This is a 6-horse race, and there is no room for any one horse to falter. The leads may change, while some may only gain ground. This race may be a photo finish!
