Hello all and welcome back to Monday (Afternoon) Quarterback. Before we get into some analysis of the games this weekend, I want to take some time to recognize the efforts of Broad Run and Briar Woods in the Pink Aid fundraiser they held on Friday night. Looking up into the stands and seeing all the pink was truly something special, and the moment hit close to the heart for me.

When I was just a 14-year old freshman at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia, I entered my first class – a history/English joint session called IB World Civ – and met my first teacher: Mrs. Joanne Marino. Mrs. Marino gave it to us straight from that very first minute of class and I chalked her up to be one of those mean teachers I'd just have to handle. When I walked into my next class, Journalism 9, hopes up and eager to start working in an area for which I had always had a passion, there Mrs. Marino was standing at the front of the classroom. "Oh great," I thought. But over the next two years, Mrs. Marino would become more than just a teacher to me. She was a mentor and an inspiration, almost like a third grandmother, and her high expectations of me and of our student newspaper instilled in me even more of a love for journalism. She made me the sports editor as a freshman and demanded I work as well and as hard as the seniors. She pushed me never to miss deadlines. She forced me to work as a news editor to expand my vision beyond sports writing. She constantly called home to check in on me and make sure I was staying focused. And she told me that if I wanted to set high goals in this field then I should aim to attend Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Throughout her time as my teacher – times in which she would stay after school until late at night to help publish the newspaper – Mrs. Marino was battling her second bout with cancer. Never once did she complain about the pain she was going through or any of her struggles, and the energy and the passion with which she approached journalism fueled all of us who worked at the paper.

Mrs. Marino lost her battle with cancer during my sophomore year at Mount Vernon. The loss hit me hard. But the lessons I learned from her and the passion she instilled in me pushed me to work hard to honor her memory. I ended up going to Northwestern – helped by a Joanne Marino journalism scholarship – and then started here at the Post soon after graduation. I know I probably wouldn't have done any of it without Mrs. M.

After speaking with some of the organizers of the event and listening to the amount of money they had raised for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, I couldn't help but to think of Mrs. M. and be inspired by the efforts of these students. Other Loudoun County schools are also getting involved in the cause – the Loudoun County and Briar Woods volleyball teams will be playing on October 16 as a part of the "Dig Pink" National Rally involving more than 600 college and high school programs nationwide that aims to earn $350,000 for breast cancer research – and I hope that many of you who read this blog will go out to support them. Congratulations to the students and faculty who are working hard as a part of these efforts – it is truly inspiring.

Okay, it's going to be kind of hard to follow that with football but here we go...

With five weeks now under our belts and a riveting week of Dulles District action behind us, we're going to break out the notebooks and take a look at what we've learned so far.

1. Potomac Falls is Legit
After watching the box scores come in from Sterling and West Virginia, we knew these guys could put up points, but any lingering doubts about their ability to compete for a Dulles District title were officially put to rest in the Panthers domination of Heritage on Friday night. Scott Woodlief's offense is clicking on all cylinders and they simply have too many weapons to account for a defense to account for. Senior WR/DB Chad McMichael got things started when he nearly returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and a few plays later senior running back Michael Baker was in for a score (more on him below), and that was only the beginning. Tarrell Owens' pick-six on Heritage's first play from scrimmage showed that the Panthers' defense wasn't going to let the game become a back-and-forth shootout and they drove home that point with four interceptions and three fourth down stands on the night. This is a complete team with five playmakers who contribute on both sides of the ball in McMichael, QB Gregory Woodlief, Owens, WR/DB Chris Pelto, and Baker. They're going to continue to get better, but with so many experienced guys on both ends, the Panthers look like the team best equipped to challenge Broad Run for the district crown. I don't think it's too early to circle October 24 on your calendar - when the Spartans host the Panthers in a game that is sure to have serious district and postseason ramifications. - MB

2. Michael Baker is the Best Back in the District Right Now
We've talked a lot about Heritage senior Ross Madison this season, but Baker won the battle of the backs on Friday night. With the Pride falling behind 28-0 early on, Coach Wes Driskill was forced to abandon the running game to a big extent, limiting Madison's touches. And while Heritage's workhorse did find the end zone and showcase his athleticism on a tremendous 24-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, it was Baker who put up big game numbers for his team. The senior captain has eclipsed 100 yards in three of four games this season, topping out at 205 in the season-opening win against Martinsburg. He's averaging 8.9 yards per carry and leads the district in yardage (563) and touchdowns (12). He showed his versatility in wet conditions on Friday, scoring twice on inside hand-offs and also showing his speed on a 58-yard scamper into the end zone. With all the talk of Gregory Woodlief and his talented receivers, Baker is the engine behind this offense right now and he's really been doing great work for them. Note: We had a Deandre Reaves sighting nearby on Friday night. The super soph torched Freedom for 247 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries in his best performance this season as Dominion won for the first time under new head coach Karl Buckwalter. It doesn't look like Reaves is going to give up his 'best back in the district' title without a fight. - MB

And while Baker certainly gets the nod right now, I'd have to say the top running back hybrid guy has to be Breon Earl after what he did against Briar Woods. The kid has continued to prove himself as the top threat in the District on any offense with what he is able to do whether lined up in the slot or as tailback. He just opens so many things up and seemingly turns big losses into huge plays. - PT

3. Broad Run has the Top Defense in the District
It was an absolutely huge performance from the Spartans on Friday night with strong play coming from both sides of the ball. A lot had been made around the area – and that definitely includes Extra Points – about Briar Woods defense and what they had done early in the season. But man, did Broad Run's defense steal the show. The Spartans for the most part forced Briar Woods out of its comfort zone and as I wrote in the game story changed the game early on by forcing those two three-and-outs.

It seemed like the Falcons were never able to really dictate the pace of the game running the ball as they'd like. Yes, they put together a huge 19-play drive by pounding it up the gut, but with a long field and the hard-hitting play of Broad Run, that drive eventually stalled as well. - PT

4. Room is Running Out on the Loudoun County Bandwagon
I've been saying it all year long and I'll keep driving the bandwagon now, Loudoun County is a major sleeper in this district. I know people are going to try to jump on and say they've been backing the Raiders too – to those people I say, back off. I'm going Kornheiser on you and staking claim here. Loudoun County has a stingy defense and an offense that – when it limits its turnovers – can be dangerous. With a win over Park View, I think the Raiders are beginning to show people they are legit and they'll definitely cause some headaches for teams this year. It will be interesting to see if they can match up athletically with Potomac Falls' weapons in our Game of the Week. - PT

I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a co-pilot on Paul's bandwagon - easy on the gas pedal there, bud - but I expected vast improvement from this squad in year two under coach Todd Hill and the Raiders haven't disappointed. Michael Ayoub has really come on as the top target for quarterback Joe Bushrod, and although he was held without a catch in the win over Park View, he's already caught 20 balls for 393 yards and two scores. If the Raiders want to keep pace with the Panthers' offense, they'll have to make plays through the passing game and that means getting the ball in the hands of Ayoub and tight end Chase Williams. We'll touch on this much more as the week goes on. - MB

5. Stone Bridge is Better Now that it was a Year Ago Today

According to one source, and I won't name names, even Mr. Mickey Thompson himself said that if this Bulldogs team lined up against last year's this one would come out on top. Well, that depends. Is Patrick Thompson playing for this team or last year's? Is Jeron Gouveia only playing safety or will we see the Gouveia from the first round of the state playoffs at running back? Regardless of who would win that game, the point is that this Stone Bridge team seems incredibly balanced on both sides of the ball and has looked unbeatable so far this season. Patrick Thompson is playing his game, providing a deep threat with his arm and making things happen with his feet. The offense continues to find playmakers – ahem, Michael Prince, ahem – and defenses can't key in on anyone. The defense is truly talented at all levels. With a big time defensive front and plenty of athletes in the secondary, it's going to take a truly stacked team to match up with Stone Bridge…maybe Edison, maybe Phoebus? But right now, you have to think the Bulldogs are on their way to an undefeated season and a second consecutive state championship. Whether they'd beat last year's team…well that's one game I'm not willing to hand over to this team just yet. - PT

We can talk about hypothetical matchups all day, but let's look at the numbers. Through five games in 2007, Stone Bridge out-scored it's opponents 192-84. Through five games this season - against the same five teams - that margin is 269-61. Both sides of the ball have stepped up their play - and keep in mind, Thompson's starters rarely play more than two and a half quarters. The biggest difference between last year's team and this year's, is the record right now. The Bulldogs were 4-1 at this point in 2007 after that blowout loss to Robinson, but this year they're a perfect 5-0 having returned the favor to the Rams. I call 'em as I see 'em and right now, I'd say the Bulldogs are rolling at their best pace yet. - MB