Gameday Power Poll - Week 6
Oakton's Jonathan Meadows and Jack Tyler have plenty of reason to celebrate following their big 17-15 win over Chantilly last Friday...
Photo By: Gameday Magazine
Broad Run and Kenny McAdow keep Russel East and Heritage in check during their 21-13 win to preserve their undefeated record at 5-0 and keep their #7 ranking...
Photo By: Marc Le Maitre / Gameday Magazine
District play can be the ultimate telling of a team, as just last week we saw several ranked teams take a tumble to district foes, namely Chantilly and West Potomac. Both suffered district losses and both dropped from the Power Poll. For Chantilly, they've become a victim of the Concorde District, as they've now lost to our #4 and #5 team, certainly not the easiest schedule to overcome.
District play also reveals to us who is a real contender and who isn't, and we're starting to see several teams step up the plate. First there's Edison, who completely shellacked district rival Yorktown 38-0, a team which could finish out the season 8-2. Then there's Fauquier, who has quietly put together an undefeated season to this point. But more impressive might be Handley. After beating district power Sherando, they appear to be the best team in the Northwestern District.
As things stand now in the Power Poll, there are nine undefeated teams, but every single one of them look to have a real distinct shot at a district title.
1. STONE BRIDGE (6-0)
Previous: 1
Last Week: 51-6 win over South Lakes
This Week: vs. Langley
Stone Bridge retains their number one ranking following their 51-6 blowout victory over South Lakes last Friday. For the fifth straight week, Stone Bridge surrendered less than 13 points while their offense again put up over 50 for the fourth time this year. While cruising through their Liberty District schedule to this point, the Bulldogs will likely face a bit tougher challenge when facing Langley, Madison and Woodson.
2. WOODBRIDGE (5-0)
Previous: 2
Last Week: BYE
This Week: vs. Potomac
The Woodbridge Vikings enjoyed the past week off, but now must get right down to business because the upstart Potomac Panthers come into town. Bitter rivals for the past decade, Potomac got the better of the two last year, but Woodbridge appears to be the team to beat this year in the Cardinal. This may in fact be Woodbridge's toughest game until the playoffs.
3. BATTLEFIELD (5-0)
Previous: 3
Last Week: 25-17 win over Osbourn Park
This Week: vs. Liberty
Surviving a late fourth quarter scare from Osbourn Park, Battlefield moves to 5-0 on the year, but have little time to rest as they face a tough Liberty squad this week. Up to this point, however, Battlefield has been near flawless except for a late scare against Hylton a few weeks ago. With a win over Liberty and #10 Fauquier, this is a team that should likely finish the year out undefeated.
4. WESTFIELD (6-0)
Previous: 4
Last Week: 41-6 win over Woodson
This Week: at Fairfax
The defending Division 6 state champs continue to roll as evidenced by their 41-6 shellacking of Woodson last Friday. It's back to the Concorde District schedule for Westfield this week when they face Fairfax, a team drastically improved from prior years, but looming large is #5 Oakton in two weeks. Both teams could very well enter that game undefeated, setting up what would be a fight for the Concorde District championship.
5. OAKTON (6-0)
Previous: 5
Last Week: 17-15 win over Chantilly
This Week: at Centreville
Another team surviving a fourth quarter scare was Oakton, as they had to fend off Chantilly for the entire second half in order to preserve their undefeated record and spot in the Power Poll. Oakton now faces a hungry Centreville squad, who lost in the last minute of regulation last week. This has been a tough stretch for Oakton as they face Robinson next week and then Westfield a week later. If they can get through those roadblocks, then expect to find Oakton much higher in the Power Poll.
6. EDISON (6-0)
Previous: 6
Last Week: 38-0 win over Yorktown
This Week: vs. Stuart
What had the indications of being a tough game for Edison was anything but that as Edison cruised on by Yorktown for an easy 38-0 win. What was scary about the victory was all 38 of their points came in the first half on their first six possessions of the ballgame. Edison so far is making a great case for being considered in the Division 5 championship talks because this team is starting to look just as scary as their Ashburn rivals.
7. BROAD RUN (5-0)
Previous: 7
Last Week: 21-13 win over Heritage
This Week: vs. Dominion
After picking up a huge victory over Briar Woods, the Spartans nearly faced a big setback this past week against Heritage. Luckily for Broad Run, they were able to pull out a 21-13 win and preserve their undefeated season while also being able to stay ranked in the Power Poll. The Spartans have Dominion this week, but a huge showdown against #8 Potomac Falls is in only a matter weeks.
8. POTOMAC FALLS (5-0)
Previous: 10
Last Week: 47-14 win over Loudoun County
This Week: at Park View
The big movers in the Power Poll were Potomac Falls, who continue to impress as the weeks go by. Facing an upstart Loudoun County squad, the Panthers proved to the area once again that they are in fact in this for the long haul as shown by their dominating 47-14 win. While facing Park View this week, Potomac Falls still must get by Broad Run and Briar Woods in order to finish undefeated and claim a district title.
9. HANDLEY (4-1)
Previous: NR
Last Week: 16-12 win over Skyline
This Week: at Central
Finding their way back into the Power Poll are the Handley Judges, who survived an upstart Skyline team by the score of 16-12 as they move to 4-1 on the year. The Judges still have James Wood and Millbrook left on the schedule, but for now, they appear to be the favorites to win the Nortwestern District, which is quite the turnaround from last year.
10. FAUQUIER (5-0)
Previous: NR
Last Week: 28-0 win over Loudoun Valley
This Week: vs. Osbourn
Welcome in the Fauquier Falcons to the Power Poll. Winners of their first five games of the year, it's suddenly apparent this team is once again a contender for a district and possibly region title. This team has looked impressive to this point, but their toughest games are ahead of them as they still must face #3 Battlefield, Osbourn Park and Liberty in the weeks to come.
HONORABLE MENTION:
11. West Springfield (4-2): How about those Spartans? After losing their first two games of the year, West Springfield has bounced back to win four straight, including dominant wins over Robinson and West Potomac. Maybe most important in those wins is how their defense is finally coming together. This is a team no one will want to face when the playoffs start in November.
12. Sherando (4-1): Sherando won big last week over Central, but have a tougher test this week when Skyline comes strolling into town.
13. Chantilly (4-2): No team has felt the effects of the Concorde harder than Chantilly. Losing to the #4 and #5 team in our Power Poll, the Chargers once again drop out of the rankings.
14. Potomac (4-1): One of the best teams no one is talking about right now are the Potomac Panthers. Winners of four straight, it looks like head coach Tony Lilly will once again have his team in playoff contention.
15. James Wood (4-1): Despite losing to Loudoun County in Week 3 of the season, James Wood has bounced back nicely to go 4-1 on the year so far. Future wins against Handley and Sherando would go a long way towards helping the Colonels into the playoffs.
