The Countdown to Kickoff: #47-44
Rising junior Kevin Wiley proved to be quite a force on defense last year for Loudoun Valley. Already proving to be the backbone of his team's defense, despite being a sophomore, Wiley is the type of player head coach Kevin McGrath can build his team around.
Photo By: Dave Bernhardt | VIEW GALLERY
Finding a replacement for Ross Madison will be priority #1 for new Heritage head coach Steve Williams as he must prepare his team to compete in the Cedar Run District next year, which is considered one of the most competitive districts in the state.
Photo By: Marc LeMaitre / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
Loudoun Valley loses several key skill players to graduation, one of whom is Chris Music, a multi-faceted threat for the Vikings last year.
Photo By: Dave Bernhardt / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
The Countdown to Kickoff continues as our 47th through 44th ranked teams are unveiled.
Among those ranked are three Loudoun schools and a Liberty District member, all of whom have some pretty big gaps to fill as they enter training camp due to the graduation losses.
Click here to find out more about our four newest teams revealed in our daily countdown.
47. DOMINION TITANS
2008: 1-9 (1-6, Dulles District)
VHSL-Reference RPI: .429
Points For: 91
Points Against: 261
Overview: It sounds like a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda, but Dominion was four touchdowns away from potentially going 4-6. It may not sound like much in hindsight, but it provides plenty to look forward to for Dominion head coach Karl Buckwalter. You see, after losing by substantial amounts in their first three games of 2008, Dominion rebounded completely in their next six contests. While they only won one game during that span, they had ample opportunity to win three of those contests. Now, we realize that if close counted for anything in football, then the Bills would be one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, but for Dominion, it leaves them plenty to look forward to in 2009.
Why 47th?: While we do believe Dominion will be better in year two under Buckwalter, it'll be tough to deal with the departure of several key role players. Quarterback Chris Taylor graduates as does key receiver Aaron Goode. Andrew Russell, a two-way player for Dominion last year, will also not be coming back, leaving Dominion with several substantial holes to fill. However, there is plenty of talent coming back for Dominion to help make 2009 a very promising year.
Dangerous Duo: So who are these talented players coming back for Dominion? Well, all you need to know are the names Deandre Reaves and Trey Baxter. Both running backs for Dominion, it's those two who will help the Titans' program get to the next level. Leading the Dulles District in rushing in just his freshman year, Reaves is a proven threat. Baxter on the other hand is just as valuable in Buckwalter's scheme. He showed off a bit of his athleticism this past year when he forced to start at quarterback in several games, and it's that type of versatility that will help Dominion win ballgames. Talented receiver Derrick Lewis is returning for his senior year, which should relieve a lot of pressure from both Baxter and Reaves. Should Buckwalter get a formidable offensive line in place, the Titans could really surprise people this upcoming year.
46. SOUTH LAKES SEAHAWKS
2008: 2-8 (1-6, Liberty District)
VHSL-Reference RPI: .400
Points For: 128
Points Against: 247
Overview: After a region title in 2002, there hasn't been much of any buzz created in Reston since then. A 2-8 year in 2008 only furthered what has been a streak of five straight years without a winning record. What really hampered South Lakes last year was their propensity to hit hot and cold streaks. When their offense was on, there were times when the defense would slip. Then when the defense would rise to occasion, the offense would start to stumble. The end result was a team with scores that were more erratic than Tom Cruise.
Why 46th?: Since 2004, South Lakes has gone either 2-8 or 3-7. Whether they can break out of that rut remains to be seen, but in judging by what South Lakes loses at the skill positions, we figure it'll be tough for the Seahawks to get off the ground. They lose arguably their best back in Brandon Price as well as quarterback Justin Zeller. Nearly their entire secondary graduates as they also lose tight end/defensive lineman Quintin Fortes, who was a true force down in the trenches. Yet there are plenty of younger players who do have the potential to change South Lakes' fortune.
Future Success: With Ja'Juan Jones on the field for the Seahawks, that has to make head coach John Ellenberger a very happy man. As a sophomore last year, Jones ran for 597 yards in just five games and an average of 5.8 yards per carry. Not only was he a star last year as just a sophomore, but he's the type of player you can build an entire program around. He'll also have the fortune of running behind talented lineman Kevin Ball, who is probably one of the more underrated linemen in the region. If South Lakes can get their run game and consistency up to a high level, 2009 could be a great one for those in Reston.
45. HERITAGE PRIDE
2008: 6-4 (3-4, Dulles District)
VHSL-Reference RPI: .490
Points For: 297
Points Against: 224
Overview: Starting out the year 3-0, things looked very promising for Heritage last year. Scoring an average of 38 points per game in their first three contests, Heritage had seemingly emerged as a Dulles District contender. Yet two games into their district schedule, and the Pride found themselves with an 0-2 district record. Another two losses to both Briar Woods and Loudoun County in the last three weeks of the year, and the Pride would finish things off with a 6-4 record. With a move to the highly competitive AAA Cedar Run District this year, it appears the going will only get tougher for the Leesburg school.
Why 45th?: Just the sheer fact that Heritage is moving into the Cedar Run is a cause for concern. Ranked as the fifth-best district in the state by VHSL-Reference, there's no doubt that finding a way to win in 2009 will be much harder than it was last year in the Dulles. Add to the fact that workhorse running back Ross Madison has graduated, and Heritage will need to find a new go-to guy. But that's just the beginning of Heritage's losses. Promising young quarterback Brian Rody transferred to Stone Bridge after proving to be able to more than hold his own last year as a sophomore. Resourceful tight end/linebacker Russell East graduated and so too did four of Heritage's best linemen. Maybe worst of all, however, is the loss of head coach Wes Driskill who resigned at the end of last year. Needless to say, there are a lot of losses at Heritage and it appears the transition may be a hard one.
Familiar Tune: New head coach Steve Williams may have a new title but he isn't a newbie to the Heritage football program. Serving as an assistant coach to Driskill since 2004, Williams knows this Heritage program fairly well. In a year filled with many changes, by keeping the coaching transition as smooth as possible, this should help considerably. Thankfully for Williams, he'll have the privilege of working with two excellent linemen in Josh Labuhn and Jake Fowler, the latter of which could become a big prospect next offseason. Finding a backfield and quarterback to run behind will be a main focal point for Williams in training camp, but he will have receivers Scott Pratz and David McCarthy to work with out wide.
44. LOUDOUN VALLEY VIKINGS
2008: 1-9 (1-6, Cedar Run District)
VHSL-Reference RPI: .448
Points For: 75
Points Against: 310
Overview: Loudoun Valley probably hasn't enjoyed the move to the Cedar Run a whole lot. Since joining the district in 2007, the Vikings have gone just 3-17 when in the previous four years they combined to go a very respectable 30-12. Yet there's nothing second-year head coach Danny McGrath would love more than to put Valley back in the win column and have them competing for district and region championships once again. With a second year under McGrath's belt, fans should expect an improvement on last year's 1-9 record.
Why 44th?: While we believe Valley will be improved in 2009, we don't foresee a winning record. The loss of quarterback Iain Mottice will hurt, but they also lose playmakers Colin Owens, Chris Music and Geoff Holden. Not only that, but they lose their top lineman in John Brilliant. McGrath does have plenty of young talent to work with, but the climb back to the top likely won't happen in 2009 due to the departure of so many key players.
Youth Movement: A big part of a rebuilding effort has to do with the younger players in the program. Luckily for Valley, they have Kevin Wiley on their side. A forceful linebacker, Wiley also has what it takes to get the job done on offense if need be. A rising junior, he was a very big bright spot for the Vikings last year and gave McGrath someone to build his program around. If there's a bigger supporting cast that can grow around Wiley, then Valley may really be onto something and back on their way to a winning record.
Complete Ranking (to date):
(click for preview)
55: Freedom Eagles
54. Falls Church Jaguars
53. Thomas Jefferson Colonials
52. J.E.B. Stuart Raiders
51. Marshall Statesmen
50. McLean Highlanders
49. Wakefield Warriors
48. Hayfield Hawks
47. Dominion Titans
46. South Lakes Seahawks
45. Heritage Pride
44. Loudoun Valley Vikings
