By Paul Tenorio
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
GAME OF THE WEEK: Potomac Falls at Loudoun County, 7:30 p.m. Friday
When Potomac Falls and Loudoun County met last season, both programs were winless and struggling to find their footing in a highly competitive Virginia AA Dulles District.
The Panthers had been outscored, 118-53, in four games and were coming off a 15-0 shutout loss to Heritage. The Raiders, meanwhile, had lost their 14th consecutive game.
This year, things are a bit different.
Potomac Falls (4-0, 1-0) has charged to a surprising start, rolling through opponents and establishing itself as a legitimate district contender with a 48-21 win over Heritage on Friday. And in the second year under Coach Todd Hill, Loudoun County (3-1, 1-0) has shown vast improvement, with a setback to Handley (3-1) the only blemish on its record. Tomorrow's game could hold playoff implications.
"We're feeling good about ourselves, but we try to keep our kids at a medium and talk about the importance of these games," Potomac Falls Coach Scott Woodlief said. "The kids are feeling good about themselves right now, but we try to exploit the things we think [will] motivate our kids and not let them get too big-headed about the 4-0. Right now, [Loudoun County is] 1-0 in the district and we're 1-0 in the district. They had a big win against Park View, and that is something we can always use to motivate our kids."
The Panthers have found success behind an offense that has averaged 46.5 points a game this year, with running back Michael Baker (563 yards rushing, 10 TDs; 95 yards receiving, 2 TDs) and quarterback Gregory Woodlief (34-of-62 passing, 572 yards, 9 TDs, 3 interceptions; 233 yards rushing, 3 TDs) leading the way.
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Loudoun County, behind quarterback Joe Bushrod and linebacker Chase Williams, has been solid if not spectacular on both sides of the ball. The offense is averaging more than 20 points per game led by Bushrod and wide receiver Michael Ayoub (393 yards, 2 TDs receiving) and running back Adam Yesuf (320 yards, 1 TD rushing). The defense has held two teams without a score this season; the Raiders took safeties against Musselman and Park View to account for all six points allowed in the two wins.
"On our end, we feel that our confidence level has grown exponentially," Hill said. "I would say winning breeds that. We got off to a good start this year, and we felt that was definitely needed. . . . We're trying to change the culture of being successful and a winning attitude, and we're starting to do that."
ALSO FRIDAY
No. 3 Stone Bridge at South Lakes, 7:30 p.m.
Broad Run at Heritage, 7:30 p.m.
Dominion at Briar Woods, 7:30 p.m.
Park View at Freedom-SR, 7:30 p.m.
Fauquier at Loudoun Valley, 7:30 p.m.
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