Hayes: Predicting The Playoff Winners
The Broad Run Spartans will be looking to win their first playoff game under Michael Burnett on Friday when they face Loudoun County.....Our Live Radio Coverage Starts At 7:15pm....
Photo By: Jan Johnson / Gameday Magazine
Potomac Falls senior Michael Baker will look to get loose against James Wood in one of the most interesting first round match-ups in the playoffs. The Colonels and the Panthers should provide all in attendance with plenty of excitement.....
Photo By: Jeff Schryver / Gameday Magazine
Patrick Thompson may return on Friday for the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, but the #1 ranked team in the Gameday Power Poll shouldn't need him to win. The Bulldogs are too strong for Mount Vernon in the trenches, and that should be the difference in this game....
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
STERLING, VA - As we look forward to the round two of the Northern Region playoffs, and round one of the Group AA playoffs this weekend, as a fan, how could you ask for better match-ups. We have Westfield hosting Chantilly, Oakton hosting West Springfield, Handley hosting Millbrook, Battlefield hosting Osbourn, and on and on and on.
The fans are the true winners, and of course here at the Gameday Radio Network, we are pretty happy too. Here's a look at each game and how I believe things will play out this weekend.
#1 BROAD RUN VS #4 LOUDOUN COUNTY
Friday 7:30pm @ Broad Run High School
MEDIA COVERAGE:
The Gameday Radio Network
Live Coverage Begins at 7:15pm Online At GamedayMagazine.com
BROADCAST TEAM:
Bob Vlasic - Play By Play
John Murphy - Color Commentary
Gary Evans - Engineer
GAME OUTLOOK:
The Raiders handled their business to get in the post-season for the first time in over a decade, and their reward is the opportunity to play the top seeded Broad Run Spartans. The Spartans are hungry too to get past the first round, something they failed to do last year against Park View. Broad Run also knows that a win means they will host the regional championship, and I expect nothing but a top flight performance from the Spartans. Loudoun County must play the game of their life to beat Broad Run, and the Spartans must beat themselves if the Raiders are to have a chance.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
FOR BROAD RUN
Get Breon Earl 20 touches
Take Advantage of Scoring Opportunities Early
Put The Game Away Early
FOR LOUDOUN COUNTY:
Shorten The Game By Controlling The Line of Scrimmage
Force Turnovers & Broad Run To Throw The Ball
Be In the Game Late With A Chance To Win
PREDICTION:
Broad Run is the better football team, but that is why they play the games. Anything can happen, and the Raiders need anything to mean everything good for them. Broad Run should win this game by 3 touchdowns, but the longer the Spartans allow the Raiders to stay in the game, the better chance this game is close to the end.....My prediction: Broad Run 38 - Loudoun County 14
#3 JAMES WOOD @ #2 POTOMAC FALLS
Friday 7:30pm at Potomac Falls High School
MEDIA COVERAGE:
The Gameday Radio Network
Live Coverage Begins At 7:00pm
Online at GamedayMagazine.com
BROADCAST TEAM:
Bruce Bornarth - Play By Play
Tom Whipple - Color Commentary
GAME OUTLOOK:
This is the best game of the first round of the Group AA playoffs if you ask me. The Colonels are 8-2 and battle tested in the Northwestern District. Potomac Falls has run through every opponent but one, and stand 9-1. Both teams are capable of putting up points, but they do it differently. The Panthers are a big play offense, averaging over 35 points per game this season. The Colonels are a ball control offense, and as they lull defenses to sleep, they attack down the field in the passing game off of play action. Both teams play solid defense, and both have very good kickers in Asa Fox (Potomac Falls) and Andrew Lloyd (James Wood).
This game is about who wins the battle in the trenches, and who stops the run. The Panthers will try to establish Michael Baker early in the running game, and the Colonels will do the same with Brock Lockhart. There are rumors that the Panthers may have two lineman out, and that could be a major factor in the outcome of this one if that is true.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
FOR POTOMAC FALLS:
Make This Game A High Scoring Affair
Pressure Quarterback Trae Tinsman
Get Baker At Least 25 Carries
FOR JAMES WOOD:
Win The Battle In The Trenches
Take Some Chances Down The Field
Don't Give Up The Big Play
PREDICTION:
This game will come down to two things. James Wood can't give up the big play to Potomac Falls, and the Panthers can't allow the Colonels to control the line of scrimmage. The Panthers have the offensive firepower to make this game a blowout, but James Wood has the toughness to put Potomac Falls on their heels. Potomac Falls must prove they can win a heavyweight bout after falling quickly to Broad Run. James Wood must show they can slow down a prolific passer, something they didn't do earlier in the year when they saw Ross Metheny from Sherando. Turnovers will be key in this game, the team that wins the turnover battle should win this game. I like James Wood to pull this one out because of their toughness, and the play of their quarterback Trae Tinsman......James Wood 24 - Potomac Falls 21
#2 STONE BRIDGE VS #4 MOUNT VERNON
Kickoff 7:30pm @ Stone Bridge High School
MEDIA COVERAGE:
The Gameday Radio Network
Live Coverage Begins at 7:15pm
Online At GamedayMagazine.com
BROADCAST TEAM:
Richard Colven - Play By Play
Sean Griffin - Color Commentary
Glenn Wooten - Color Commentary
GAME OUTLOOK:
Mount Vernon enters this contest with a 9-2 record, an impressive season to say the least. They bring a solid defense and offensive attack to Ashburn with hopes of shocking the state with a colossal upset over the Stone Bridge Bulldogs. The biggest obstacle standing in the way of Mount Vernon is the nasty offensive and defensive line of the Bulldogs. Mount Vernon may have some success moving the football, but it won't be enough to stay in this game late. The Bulldogs have way too many weapons on offense, and even if Patrick Thompson doesn't return behind center, Stone Bridge should still score in the 40's. The Bulldogs are giving up less than 12 points per game this season on defense, and that should hold true again on Friday night.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
FOR STONE BRIDGE
Put The Game Away Early
Make Mount Vernon One Dimensional Offensively
Stay Healthy
FOR MOUNT VERNON
Force Stone Bridge To Throw To Win
Stack The Line Of Scrimmage On Defense
Take Advantage Of Every Stone Bridge Mistake
PREDICTION:
This game should be close for about a quarter, but stranger things have happened. The Bulldogs are the most talented of the two teams, but if they play sloppy football, they could go down. Any team that wins 9 games in a season is a formidable threat, and the Bulldogs can't get caught looking ahead to Edison next week. I think this Stone Bridge team is way too focused with its senior leadership to let that happen, thus the reason why I believe this game won't be close.......Stone Bridge 42 - Mount Vernon 10
#1 EDISON VS #3 MADISON
Kickoff 7:30pm @ Edison High School
MEDIA COVERAGE:
The Gameday Radio Network
Live Coverage Begins at 7:15pm
Online At GamedayMagazine.com
BROADCAST TEAM:
Derek LeComte - Play By Play
Bruce Hanson - Color Commentary
GAME OUTLOOK:
The Edison Eagles are the most intriguing team in the Northern Region playoffs to me. They have the star power, and the tradition that should worry every opponent. The team that is next on their schedule is Madison. The Warhawks have quietly put together a solid season, but this Madison team is not flashy. They don't have a ton of speed, but they do have a good quarterback in Will Clarkson. Edison is riding an 11 game win streak, the best in Eagle history. They play great defense, and quarterback Levi Barber is a dynamic threat behind center. Edison has two talented tailbacks in Angus Harper and Stephon Robertson, and they have balance with a solid passing game. Cory and Christian Washington are tough to cover, and they will pose problems for the Warhawks in this game.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
FOR MADISON:
Chew The Clock, Shorten The Game
Stop The Edison Run Game
Avoid Giving Up The Big Play
FOR EDISON:
Stay Balanced On Offense
Avoid Mistakes and Turnovers
Force 3 and Outs For Madison
GAME PREDICTION:
I always take speed over power, and this game is no different. Don't be fooled though, Edison has speed and power with a big athletic offensive line. I think they will give Madison some major match-up problems. Two weeks ago I watched the Eagles go toe to toe with Chantilly, an outstanding running team. They prevailed because of their toughness, and their big play ability. Look for more of the same on Friday with Edison pulling away after a close 1st half........Edison 38 - Madison 17
HANDLEY VS MILLBROOK:
This game was close the first time around with Handley pulling away 28-26, but both teams are better since that first meeting. This game will be close again, and I think Handley still holds the X-factor in tailback Jeremiah Wilson. If The Judges get the running game going, Millbrook will be in trouble. One thing going for the Pioneers is their confidence. They have gained a ton of confidence in recent weeks beating the likes of Sherando along the way. This could be one of the best games of the weekend.
PREDICTION: Handley 31 - Millbrook 24
