Northern Region Football Preview — Week 4
Game of the Week
No. 5 Westfield (3-0) at No. 3 Chantilly (3-0) — 7:30 p.m., Friday
*Game will be covered by Angela Watts — check back Saturday morning for a story, photos and highlights!
Game of the week? Shocker.
The rivalry was thrust into the limelight during the 2006 season when the Bulldogs beat the Chargers, 34-28, in Week 9 — a game which the teams entered with a collective 17-1 record.
The schools met again 22 days later in the Division 6 Northern Region Championship and, despite Chantilly starting quarterback Nate Worek having to be helicoptered from the field in the first quarter, the Chargers won, 26-21, in one of the best games in recent history. Even sweeter for the Purple Platoon: it ruined Westfield’s perfect season.
However, that Northern Region final victory is the Chargers’ only win against the Bulldogs — ever. All-time, Westfield is 7-1 against Chantilly, outscoring the Chargers by an average of 32-12. Last season’s 28-16 Bulldog home win was their second closest game of their 15-0 season, the first ever in the 93-year history of the Virginia High School League.
Since 2002, the Bulldogs are 61-2 in the regular season.
But Westfield only returns three starters from that heralded championship team — which statistically scored more points per game and gave up fewer than the 2003 edition, featuring Sean Glennon, Eddie Royal and Evan Royster.
In 2008, the Bulldogs’ first three opponents are a combined 3-6 and Westfield only beat one — Hayfield — by more than 14 points.
The X-factor wil be the running game. Westfield features Annandale-transfer Jordan Anderson, who has seven touchdowns through three games. Chantilly has third-year starter Torrian Pace, also with seven trips to the end zone this season.
Last year, this game drew an estimated 7,700 fans on a Thursday and is annually the most-attended regular season game in the Northern Region.
Tonight, they are expecting bigger numbers, so get there early — like, now. Or do yourself a favor and park in Green Briar Shopping Center on Route 50.
Trust me, this game will be worth the walk.
Potential Classics
Centreville (1-2) at Herndon (2-1) — 7:30 p.m., Friday *Game will be covered by Phil Murphy — check back Saturday morning for a story, photos and highlights!
The Hornets look to move up a rung in the Concorde District chain of command against the Wildcats. But, to get to 3-1, Herndon must overcome angry Centreville, who was shocked last week at Lee, 23-10.
The last time these teams met at Herndon was in 2006. Hornet quarterback Zay Lopez threw for 4 touchdowns in a 41-34, double overtime Herndon win that eliminated Centreville from playoff contention.
The key to victory for the Hornets is to get the Wildcat offense off the field. Last week, in 10-7 loss at Langley, Herndon only ran 37 total plays as the Saxons controlled the clock, running 73 plays.
Centreville features a similar, shifty, No. 21-wearing running back Justin Conway, who Wildcat Coach Gerry Pannoni gave the ball to 23 times last week. If Herndon packs the box and forces some punts or turnovers, this game will equal the 2006 version in excitement.
No. 9 Lake Braddock (2-1) at South County (1-2) — 7:30 p.m., Friday
Since their inaugural season in 2005 commenced, the Stallions have had back-to-back 6-4 regular seasons, quickly rising to the forefront of Northern Region dark horses every year.
But Lake Braddock is one of two Patriot District teams South County has never beaten (West Potomac).
The last time the Stallions and Bruins met in Lorton was in 2006. Lake Braddock quarterback Shane Halley converted a 4th-and-14 on a final-minute drive before finding wide receiver David Fennessey for the game-winning touchdown pass with :28 seconds left. The Bruins intercepted Stallion quarterback Jay Rowley’s first pass on the ensuing drive to lock up a 21-17 road win.
Last year in Burke, South County turned the ball over seven times and Halley ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Lake Braddock’s 31-14 home victory.
If the Stallions can find some stability — and health — at quarterback and improve on last year’s minus-six turnover margin, they might be checking the Bruins off their to-do list for district wins.
Other Games to Watch
Concorde
7:30 p.m., Friday — No. 2 Oakton (3-0) at Fairfax (2-1)
The Cougars have outscored the Rebels 152-14 over the last three seasons.
Liberty
7:30 p.m., Friday — No. 10 W.T. Woodson (2-1) at Jefferson (1-2) *Game will be covered by Jimmy Thomas — check back Saturday morning for a story, photos and highlights!
Since the Colonials joined the Liberty District in 2005, the Cavaliers are 3-0 against them, scoring 43.3 points per game.
7:30 p.m., Friday — No. 8 Langley (2-1) at Marshall (1-2)
The Saxons have held the Statesmen to 14 points or fewer every year since 1999.
7:30 p.m., Friday — Madison (1-2) at South Lakes (1-2)
The last time the Seahawks beat the Warhawks, they won the Northern Region Division 5 title — 2002.
National
7:30 p.m., Friday — No. 4 Edison (3-0) at Mount Vernon (2-1)
The last time the Majors beat the Eagles — 14-6 in 2003 — Edison quarterback Levi Barber was in the sixth grade.
7:30 p.m., Friday — Falls Church (0-3) at Wakefield (0-3)
Last season, the Warriors snapped a five-year losing streak to the Jaguars, 31-23, for their first win of the year.
7:30 p.m., Friday — Stuart (1-2) at Yorktown (2-1)
Since 2000, the Patriots are 8-0 against the Raiders, winning by an average of 47-7.
Patriot
7:30 p.m., Friday — Hayfield (1-2) at No. 7 West Springfield (1-2)
Since the Hawks were re-classified to Division 5, the Spartans are 4-0, scoring 48.8 points per game.
7:30 p.m., Friday — No. 6 West Potomac (3-0) at Lee (1-2)
Since 2005, the Wolverines margin of victory has grown each year. The Lancer defense has five INTs the last two weeks.
1 p.m., Saturday — Annandale (1-2) at T.C. Williams (0-3)
Last season, the Titans snapped a losing streak to the Atoms that spanned over a decade.
Non-District
7:30 p.m., Friday — Anacostia (D.C.) (0-3) at Robinson (1-2)
The Indians have struggled in DCIAA East play, having been outscored 107-8 in three games.
7:30 p.m., Friday — Washington-Lee (1-2) at McLean (0-3)
Among the four winless teams in the Northern Region, the Highlanders have scored the most points — 17.3 per game.
7:30 p.m., Friday — No. 1 Stone Bridge (3-0) at Loudoun Valley (0-2)
The Vikings have been outscored 64-0 this season, but two of their first three opponents are 2007 AAA state finalists.
* Also check back with DigitalSports throughout the week for video recaps of nearly every game in the Northern Region!!
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