Ashburn, Va. (August 22, 2014) – Hey, Loudoun: ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?
Yeah, me too!
For your (and my) football fix this season, Viva Loudoun has just the thing for both of us: Viva Loudoun’s Top Ticket Of The Week.
Each and every weekend, from the first games of the season to the final team in the postseason, check out Viva Loudoun’s exclusive Top Ticket feature. Long after the Friday night lights have gone down, Viva Loudoun will still be up, giving you the latest scores, upcoming schedule, an in-depth article from the Top Ticket game of the week, plus a plethora of photographs to take you right back into the middle of the action!
High school football is all about fun and excitement and that’s exactly what we will bring you every weekend on Viva Loudoun’s Top Ticket.
The games begin Friday, August 29, but Viva Loudoun is kicking off our football coverage right now. Satisfy your gridiron craving with our 2014 season preview for all 14 Loudoun schools.
VivaLoudoun.com: We live for Loudoun.™
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BRIAR WOODS FALCONS
Website: www.BWHSports.org
Region: 5A North
Head coach: Charlie Pierce, 10th year
Last year: 13-2 (state finalist)
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 5
First game: Home vs Brooke Point, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs North Stafford, Sept. 19, 7 pm
by Joel Wolcott
Coach’s take: In the last four years, the Falcons have made it to the state title game all four times and won it three times – an unprecedented span of sustained success for a Loudoun program. Whether they will keep it up depends largely on senior quarterback Jake Moffe. He will have several athletic receiving options, including the big-play ability of Brandon Polk. Bryan Capozzoli, at 6’2” and 235 pounds, is a dominant force on both lines.
Biggest challenge: Replacing the departure of 22 players off last year’s squad, especially all-state QB Trace McSorley.
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BROAD RUN SPARTANS
Website: www.BroadRunSports.com
Region: 5A North
Head coach: Matt Griffis, 5th year
Last year: 9-4 (region finalist)
Returning offensive starters: 5
Returning defensive starters: 7
First game: Home vs Booker T. Washington, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs Stone Bridge, Sept. 19, 7 pm
Coach’s take: Coming off the most successful season in the Griffis era, the Spartans are looking for more. The words “confidence” and “swagger” come up for this senior-laden squad. Third-year quarterback Brady Reitzel displays “a tremendous football IQ.” He’ll have another experienced player, wideout Chuck Davis, as a reliable third-down option. Jashawn Banks moves from defensive end to be a hulking running back. Placekicker Sammy Sergi is “a real weapon.”
Biggest challenge: The biggest question mark for Griffis is how quickly and well his young offensive line will gel. Replacing four-year starter and team leader Da’qwan Earl at running back will be no small feat either.
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DOMINION TITANS
Website: www.DominionAthletics.org
Region: 4A North
Head coach: Karl Buckwalter, 7th year
Last year: 7-5 (region semifinalist)
Returning offensive starters: 5
Returning defensive starters: 5
First game: Road vs Potomac Falls, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs Loudoun Valley, Oct. 17, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
By Jeff Venitti
Last year was the best season Dominion football has ever had. Buckwalter has a wealth of athletes to try going even farther. Chad Smith has one more season to do just about everything that can be done on a football field before he packs up for Clemson. Last year’s mid-season transfer Brandon Ruffin takes his 4.47-second 40-yard time to the backfield. Luke Thompson and Tucker Strycharz can both run and catch. Adeeb Atariwa is a 260-pound lineman, and brothers Matt and Tommy Christ are bulky yet skilled linemen as well.
Biggest challenge:
Dealing with the expectations of recent success, and dealing with the inevitable adversity that a football season can provide.
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FREEDOM EAGLES
Website: www.FreedomEagles.org
Region: 5A North
Head coach: Jared Van Acker, 2nd year
Last year: 1-9
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 7
First game: Home vs Woodgrove, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs John Champe, Oct. 17, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
After setting 30 school records for offense, scoring plenty of points was not Freedom’s problem last year. Giving up a lot of points, however, was. Fortunately for Van Acker, he will have size along both lines, headed by “weight room demon” Eric Whitehead, who has added two inches and 50 pounds since last season to become 6’6”, 260. He is among five returning offensive linemen protecting big dual-threat QB Tylor Rael, who will be the primary running option.
Biggest challenge:
Getting the defense, with its new 3-4 scheme, to match the offense. The number of interceptions the Eagles allowed last year must be cut down dramatically if they are to attain the program’s first-ever winning season.
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HERITAGE PRIDE
Website: www.HeritagePrideSports.org
Region: 4A North
Head coach: Reed Prosser, 2nd year
Last year: 3-7
Returning offensive starters: 8
Returning defensive starters: 7
First game: Home vs James Wood, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs Loudoun County, Nov. 7, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
The Pride enter 2014 with a two-game win streak and a bevy of experience. “It took us a while to learn how hard we needed to work to win,” Prosser said. Heritage has four returning offensive linemen in front of quarterback Cameron Knight, who’s backed by the lightning of Mitchell Westbrook and the thunder of Daniel Adigun. Prosser believes his linebackers and wide receivers could develop into strengths.
Biggest challenge:
Increase the physicality at the point of attack, both when blocking and tackling. That will be needed when enduring “a meatgrinder of a schedule.”
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JOHN CHAMPE KNIGHTS
Website: www.ChampeSports.com
Region: 3A East
Head coach: Jason Dawson, 3rd year
Last year: 2-8
Returning offensive starters: 8 or 9
Returning defensive starters: 8 or 9
First game: Road vs Central-Woodstock, Aug. 29, 7:30 pm
Key matchup: Road vs Potomac Falls, Sept. 12, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
The newest program in the county, Champe is looking to build on a couple narrow wins from a year ago. Dawson is “100 percent committed to coaching defense.” He’ll have some help with all-conference linebackers Stephen Baker and Steven Young, both seniors. The entire defensive line is returning. Safety Sam Adhikari, the fastest player on the team, is much improved. In their third year of varsity competition, the Knights enter 2014 with a level of experience they’ve never had before.
Biggest challenge:
Incorporate the newly installed pro-style offensive scheme with spread principles with a relatively inexperienced offense.
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LOUDOUN COUNTY RAIDERS
Website: www.RaiderSports.net
Region: 4A North
Head coach: Todd Hill, 8th year
Last year: 5-6 (region quarterfinalist)
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 7
First game: Home vs Fauquier, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs Woodgrove, Oct. 7, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
The Raiders will be physically stronger this year, a trait which Hill thinks can make a difference late in games and late in the season. At nearly 300 pounds, Nick Kasper is a force in the middle of both lines. The secondary should be “our strength,” Hill said, including Sosthene Kah, Jake Frye and Antonio Jackson. The running game figures to be better with the emergence of tough, fast John Jackson. He’ll take some of the focus off dynamic senior quarterback Tae Crews-Naylor.
Biggest challenge:
Improve the running game to prevent a predictable reliance on the pass, which Hill regards as “our downfall last year.”
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LOUDOUN VALLEY VIKINGS
Website: www.LVHSAthletics.org
Region: 3A East
Head coach: Dan McGrath, 7th year
Last year: 11-3 (state semifinalist)
Returning offensive starters: TBD
Returning defensive starters: TBD
First game: Home vs James Wood, Sept. 5, 7 pm
Key matchup: Home vs Loudoun County, Oct. 31, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
It doesn’t seem to matter that Valley has Loudoun’s second smallest student population. With a tough brand of football, the Vikings have become consistent winners. This year, McGrath has more experience at the skill positions than along the lines, but he’ll look to 1,000-yard RB Andrew Cordani, QB Sully Warner and WRs Michael Irving and Ryan Malsch – all seniors – to provide leadership and produce points. Another upperclassman, Sam Allison, will man both lines.
Biggest challenge:
Developing reliable depth on the offensive and defensive lines.
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PARK VIEW PATRIOTS
Website: www.ParkViewSports.org
Region: 4A North
Head coach: Mick Mullins, 1st year
Last year: 2-8
Returning offensive starters: TBD
Returning defensive starters: TBD
First game: Home vs Bishop Ireton, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup:
Coach’s take:
Mullins is taking the Patriots back to their roots. Himself a former Park View assistant, the new head coach and defensive coordinator hired Panther alums Brandon Absher to coach DBs and Scott Steele to coach WRs. “The hard work and toughness is still there,” he said. Standout senior RB Henry Argueta has already shown his new coach that he embodies that toughness. “It’s great when one of your best players is also one of your hardest workers,” Mullins remarked. The triple-option offense will be run by Gio Lopez, while linebacker Colin Mills patrols the defensive side.
Biggest challenge:
Teaching a young team under a new regime that they can compete. “The number one thing we have to do is instill confidence in these young men,” Mullins said.
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POTOMAC FALLS PANTHERS
Website: www.PotomacFallsAthletics.org
Region: 5A North
Head coach: Jason Allen, 2nd year
Last year: 4-6
Returning offensive starters: 5
Returning defensive starters: 5
First game: Home vs Dominion, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs Dominion, Nov. 7, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
By Chas Summer
With fewer than 10 seniors and new systems on both sides of the ball, Allen admits this is a building year. Defensively, Potomac Falls is employing a 3-5 hybrid scheme that is linebacker-heavy. Offensively, they’ve installed a wing-T to get the ball into playmakers’ hands. Newly hired coordinator Paul Barnes brings over 30 years of coaching experience to the offense, with junior quarterback Brady Williams as his primary pupil. Big athletic wideout Wanya Allen is a top target, and sophomore RB Cash Jackson is very fast (4.6-second 40-yard) with a strong lower half. Senior lineman Jake Stewart commands both lines with his 6’4″, 275-pound frame.
Biggest challenge:
Create a consistent culture that lends itself to excellence in football, as the Panthers have been able to achieve in several other sports.
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ROCK RIDGE PHOENIX
Website: www.RockRidgeSports.org
Region: 3A East
Head coach: Tony Tallent, 1st year
Last year: DNP
Returning offensive starters: N/A
Returning defensive starters: N/A
First game: Home vs Loudoun Valley JV, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: All of them
Coach’s take:
Tallent moves from building a winning program at Warren County to building Loudoun’s next football program. Ashburn-based Rock Ridge is inaugurated this school year, and the Phoenix will field a junior varsity program – but Tallent expects to hit the ground running when varsity competition starts. “Effort will define us,” he said. “I want our kids to respect the game, each other and their community.”
Biggest challenge:
“Putting the kids in the right places so they can experience success,” Tallent said.
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STONE BRIDGE BULLDOGS
Website: www.StoneBridgeSports.org
Region: 5A North
Head coach: Mickey Thompson, 15th year
Last year: 9-3 (region semifinalist)
Returning offensive starters: 3
Returning defensive starters: 9
First game: Road vs Lake Braddock, Sept. 5, 7:30 pm
Key matchup: Home vs Westfield, Oct. 2, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
By Tom Lighton
For more than a decade, the Bulldogs set the standard for football excellence in Loudoun. They still do – they just have more company at the top than they used to. Last year was the first since 2001 that Stone Bridge posted fewer than 10 wins. Thompson plans to get back to double-digits with a strong, experienced front four on defense, and a few wrinkles in his famed single-wing offense. Junior QB Joe Thompson runs a 4.6-second 40-yard and owns a strong arm. Collin Buckley moves from the defense to become the featured running back, a key spot in any Stone Bridge offense. Boston College commit Tanner Karafa serves as linebacker and tight end, but can also take a handoff. Andrew Vastardis, Tony Gallegos, Jimmy Prohaska and North Carolina commit Aaron Crawford are aggressive linemen.
Biggest challenge:
Take the physically smallest team in Thompson’s tenure and turn it into Stone Bridge’s usual state championship contender.
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TUSCARORA HUSKIES
Website: www.HuskyAthletics.org
Region: 5A North
Head coach: Michael Burnett, 5th year
Last year: 9-3 (region semifinalist)
Returning offensive starters: 10
Returning defensive starters: 8
First game: Home vs Kettle Run, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Road vs Martinsburg, Sept. 19, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
“Finally, we’re not a young team,” said Michael Burnett, who has built Tuscarora from its founding into a playoff team. Last season was a big step for the Huskies; this year, laden with experience, they feel they’re capable of a bigger step. QB Danny Smith has put on pounds and is ready to run an up-tempo, multiple, no-huddle offense. RB Noah Reimers possesses “an unbelievable knack for the game” and will play prominently on both sides. Jordan Fisher is a wideout with good size. Burnett calls his offensive line of David Chalmers, Jack Corso, Anson Braselle and Noah Klemm “outstanding.”
Biggest challenge:
Burnett feels this year’s team could compete at the state level, even with the likes of Stone Bridge, Broad Run, Briar Woods and North Stafford going for the same prize. Whether the Huskies’ quarterback can make big plays and their secondary can prevent big plays will help decide if this is a breakthrough year for Tuscarora.
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WOODGROVE WOLVERINES
Website: www.lcps.org/domain/5093
Region: 4A North
Head coach: Mike Skinner, 3rd year
Last year: 9-4 (region finalist)
Returning offensive starters: 7
Returning defensive starters: 8
First game: Road vs Freedom, Aug. 29, 7 pm
Key matchup: Home vs Tuscarora, Sept. 5, 7 pm
Coach’s take:
By Jeff Venitti
This season, just like the last two in which they’ve racked up 16 wins, the Wolverines get it done without tremendous star power or notoriety. Under veteran coach Skinner, Woodgrove uses work ethic to grind out wins, and he expects more of the same in 2014. Defense will lead the way, with Matt Whalen as a stout outside linebacker, Ryan McVey manning the other side and Uzoma Kpaduwa is a ball-hawking defensive back. On offense, Dillon Mellor will be the primary wide receiving target, with McVey serving as fullback.
Biggest challenge:
With winning becoming the norm for the newest Purcellville school, Skinner is focused on how well his players handle themselves when things don’t necessarily go well for them.
Written by Jason S Rufner