Football frenzy: A fan’s plan for the 2007 season
By Carl Lukat
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy summer sports such as community swimming, baseball, softball and golf, to name a few.But sometimes, I’ll notice my mind wandering off in one direction – thinking about the upcoming football season.
So I pulled up the Virginia High School League Web site the other day and checked out the master list of varsity football schedules for 2007. That gave me the idea to compile a “Game of the Week” list, focusing on our 10 Loudoun public high schools.
Now, it would have been too easy just to select the sexiest game each week and roll on to the following slate of games. Instead, I added a couple of factors into the equation – only games played inside Loudoun County are eligible, and I made sure to see each of the 10 Loudoun schools at least once.
Here's my weekly slate. Give it a try, using the same factors listed above, and let us know what you came up with at ltmsports@timespapers.com.
Week 1
Herndon at Park View, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
The Patriots dive headfirst into the post-Deric Dudinski era – the school’s all-time rushing leader -- in this home opener against the Group AAA Hornets. Park View shut out Herndon last fall en route to a 9-1 regular season record and a Region II playoff berth. Can quarterback C.J. Leizear and defensive stud Thomas Mulabah help produce the same magic in 2007?
Week 2
Forest Park at Loudoun Valley, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Competing in their third different district in the last four years, the Vikings prepare for play in the AAA Cedar Run District with this non-district matchup. Even though the district and opponents have changed, one thing is for sure in Purcellville -- the Viking faithful always come out in full force.
Week 3
James Wood at Loudoun County, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Raider first-year coach Todd Hill will be less than a week removed from having faced his former school, Handley, when this game rolls around. Loudoun County returns to the friendly confines of Leesburg to play another familiar school for Hill – James Wood, a longtime rival of Handley.
Week 4
Loudoun Valley at Stone Bridge, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
We thought long and hard about heading to Fairfax for Stone Bridge at Robinson on Sept. 7, but just didn’t trust the durability of our pigskin cruiser outside Loudoun County lines. So this was clearly our best early chance to catch the Bulldogs, the area’s most prominent program. The Vikings will be sky-high for this one as Loudoun’s only two AAA schools collide in Ashburn.
Week 5
Dominion at Freedom, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Quick, name me five players on Dominion or Freedom’s roster. Don’t feel bad if you are still contemplating the answer. I struggled mightily myself. This might not be the week’s sexiest matchup but a fine chance to watch two teams on the rise in the Dulles District.
Week 6
Heritage at Broad Run, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Admirers of Don “Air” Coryell, the former San Diego Chargers offensive guru, should make their way to Ashburn for this contest. Just remember to bring your calculator to keep track of the passing yardage.
Week 7
Park View at Potomac Falls, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
The Panthers surely have this game marked on their calendar. Potomac Falls won seven games in coach Scott Woodlief’s first season with its only district loss delivered by Park View in convincing, 42-14 fashion. The Panthers will be primed to secure a much different outcome this time around.
Week 8
Madison at Stone Bridge, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs lit up the scoreboard for 101 points in defeating the Warhawks twice last fall – handing Madison its only district loss and eliminating it in the Northern Region playoffs. Can Madison exact some revenge in this one?
Week 9
Briar Woods at Heritage, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Former Park View coach Charlie Pierce has done a stellar job building third-year Briar Woods from the ground floor. The Falcons produced a 6-4 record playing a non-district schedule in 2006. How will Briar Woods stack up as a full-fledged member of the Dulles District this fall?
Week 10
Potomac Falls at Briar Woods, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
It took me until week nine to get a first glimpse of Briar Woods. So why not make it two weeks in a row? Plus, this game could play a major role in the Dulles standings heading into the final week of the regular season.
Week 11
Park View at Broad Run, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Does this one really need explaining? The rivalry between these programs alone is enough to fill the stands. Add the fact that Broad Run had Park View on the ropes last season before the Patriots rallied to finish undefeated in Dulles play, and that both teams figure to be players in this district race, and you have the makings for a standing-room only crowd.