With the heat and humidity of August dragging many of us down, it was great to see the first signs of fall signified in the re-ignition of Friday Night Lights throughout Virginia and nationwide.
In Northern Virginia, a slightly truncated slate of games were played, many by teams wishing to enjoy a week off later in the season. Regardless of the abbreviated schedule, there were several key matchups, including the season opener for three-time defending 6A champion Westfield, who brought a 24-game winning streak to the table against the Bruins of Lake Braddock.
The region’s top player, Devyn Ford, was one of the first to suit up, on Thursday night, as his Wolverines hosted Osbourn.
Other big timers kicked off this weekend, including Hylton, South Lakes, and 6A state semifinalist Colonial Forge. Starting this week (kind of) was Justice High School, formerly known as J.E.B. Stuart, which also marked the debut of the Wolves’ new coach Greg Weisbecker.
North Stafford 56, Osbourn 0 (Thurs. 8/23)
The season officially kicked off Thursday with a trio of games. Devyn Ford got an unexpected amount of rest, but scored two touchdowns, one on the ground, and the other on a 69-yard pass from Jamir Boyd as the Wolverines rolled to an easy win.
In all, Boyd threw for five touchdowns, while completing 12 of 14 passes for 219 yards. Holt Egan had two second quarter scores by reception, while Javon Swinton and Manny Pellot caught balls for touchdowns.
Tevin White led all rushers with 92 yards on 16 carries and two TD’s.
Westfield 42, Lake Braddock 21
The Bulldogs began their 6A state title defense with a 35-point run in the middle two quarters to run away from a strong Bruin team on opening night.
Quarterback Noah Kim showed that he has continued to progress. Kim completed 11 of 15 passes for 155 yards and five touchdowns, two each to Bizzet Woodley (5-92) and Taylor Morin (3-58). Sean Goodman also scored on a nine-yard reception.
Eugene Asante, who is now up to six offers, rushed for 149 yards, and was happy to have started the season well against a quality opponent.
“I just wanted to be able to showcase my talents and kind of had a boulder on my shoulder, going against (U.VA commit) Josh Ahern,” Asante told recruitNoVA.com on Saturday.
Isaiah Daniel (10 carries, 74 yards) finished the scoring with an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Robinson 28, Hylton 7
The Rams relied on a balanced offensive attack and scored a touchdown in each quarter to down the Bulldogs in Woodbridge.
In all, Robinson rushed for 373 yards and four touchdowns, led by several long runs from junior Tanner Laplante.
Woodson 14, South Lakes 7
In a reversal of last year’s 42-7 loss, the Cavaliers upended South Lakes 14-7 in Reston.
The Seahawks scored first and held on to a 7-0 halftime lead. But the Cavs scored in the third quarter to tie the game and then delivered the winning touchdown in the final quarter to wrap up the season-opening win.
Colonial Forge 51, Patriot 35
Ernesto Bowen ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns and Zack Kindel caught two passes for scores as John Brown’s head coaching debut was a success as the Eagles outdistanced Patriot 51-35.
The game featured the strength of Forge’s running attack against the power of Patriot’s passing game. The Eagles, led by Bowen, rushed for 230 yards, while Madden Lowe displayed pinpoint accuracy with a short passing game, completing 11 of 17 for 77 yards and the eight and nine-yards scores to Kindel. On defense, the Eagles held the Patriots to 23 yards on 24 carries, although Chris Sonnenberg was spectacular at quarterback, completing 25 of 28 passes for 259 yards and four touchdowns.
Broad Run 31, Potomac Falls 0
Tim Baldwin ran for a pair of first-half touchdowns as the Spartans stomped the Panthers in Sterling.
Justice 47, Annandale 26
The Wolves won their first game as the newly renamed Justice High School, rushing for 350 yards, as they built a 32-6 lead and coasted in Falls Church.
Elijah Jeffries (three carries, 79 yards) took an inside handoff and dashed 62-yard for a first half score. Devin Matthews rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns and Drake Latham added an 18-yard rushing score in the second half.
Marco Cesarotto was efficient at quarterback (five of eight for 62 yards), throwing a 40-yard score to Matthews and adding a 10-yard rushing touchdown, as Weisbecker won his coaching debut for Justice.
T. Roosevelt 43, Falls Church 20
Two third-quarter touchdowns helped the visiting D.C. school pull away from the Jaguars.
Roosevelt built a tenuous 21-13 halftime lead, but pulled away in the early second half. Falls Church was held to 114 yards and feature back Dakwandre Marshall gained 56 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.
Conley Ku completed seven of 17 passes for 120 yards with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Noah Strother.
Trinity Episcopal 46, O’Connell 41
O’Connell had victory snatched from its grasp as a 99-yard drive by the Titans, followed by a late interception gave Trinity Episcopal the season-opening win in Arlington.
The lead changed hands several times throughout the game, as Jahmal Banks kept the Knights in the game, scoring on a 22-yard reception, 91-yard kickoff return, and 75-yard interception return. Banks finished the game with seven catches for 123 yards.
Aidan McGowan (14 of 23, 205 yards) threw his other touchdown for 35 yards to Ryan Barrett. The Knights were less successful with their running game, but were boosted by short touchdown runs by Kai Bowers and Rodney Jackson.
However, the Titans compiled over 520 yards of offense, including the game-winning drive, which started at their 1-yard line.
Other scores
Battlefield 44, Oakton 0
Brooke Point 27, Potomac 6
Centreville 44, Stonewall Jackson 7
Colgan 14, Forest Park 12
Colonial Beach 14, Spotsylvania 7
Dominion 25, Clarke Co. 14
Fairfax 27, McLean 0
Freedom 35, Life Christian 6
Friendship Collegiate 20, John Champe 7
Hayfield 28, Chantilly 23
Heritage 54, Freedom-South Riding 14
Liberty 29, Brentsville 8
Loudoun Co. 35, Fauquier 12
Louisa Co. 35, Courtland 0
Massaponax 47, Chancellor 0
Madison 42, Marshall 12
Martinsburg (WV) 62, Loudoun Valley 12
Mountain View 48, Albemarle 0
No. VA Homeschool 32, Jefferson 25
Riverside 30, Rock Ridge 10
South Co. 40, Langley 7
Stafford 30, James Monroe 13
T.C. Williams 65, Osbourn Park 32
Tuscarora 35, King George 7
West Potomac 24, Briar Woods 14
West Springfield 56, Lee 40
Woodgrove 56, Armstrong 14
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