Week 10 saw the crowning of several district champions, as well as the solidifying of playoff rankings for some teams. With one week to go, many squads have concluded their regular season, while others have opted for a Week 11 game. In the next six days, all of the seedings and matchups will be determined, and our playoff coverage will commence.
One team, T.C. Williams, cemented its position for a playoff spot, with a 38-31 win over Mount Vernon. At 6-3, Jimmy Longerbeam’s Titans’ are now concerned with their final contest, an away matchup at Annandale, but at least the post-season looks like a certainty for the team that entered the weekend seeded eighth in Class 6 Region C.
However, neither T.C nor Mt. Vernon will win the Gunston District. That honor went to Hayfield (7-2), who snuck past Annandale 50-43 in an offensive clinic. With the win, Hayfield, seeded fifth in Region C last week, has also increased its chances to host a first-round playoff game.
None of the undefeated squads toppled over the weekend. Colonial Forge (9-0), Westfield (9-0), Eastern View (9-0), Freedom-Woodbridge (9-0), Stone Bridge (9-0), Broad Run (9-0) and Flint Hill (8-0) all won, although Broad Run was nearly upended by Briar Woods before escaping with a 16-14 win.
There were several notable performances from the weekend. South Lakes Spencer Alston, a leading candidate for RecruitNoVA.com’s player of the year, scored six touchdowns in the Seahawks 52-14 win over Yorktown, which starts this week’s game coverage.
South Lakes 52, Yorktown 14
This matchup between two 7-1 squads had all the markings of a nail biting, touchdown swapping, last team with the ball wins’ type of classic.
It wasn’t. Spencer Alston scored on runs of six and two yards, and caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Devin Miles – in the first quarter alone. Alston ended up rushing for 255 yards and five touchdowns, while catching six passes for 69 yards as the Seahawks romped Yorktown.
Alston scored South Lakes first six touchdowns, as the Seahawks built up an early 21-0 lead. Yorktown scored all of its points in the first half, with Davis Patterson’s 75-yard touchdown reception from Grant Wilson serving as the Patriots’ highlight for the evening. With the win, South Lakes enhanced its chances of hosting a playoff game as the #4 seed, while Yorktown appears likely to hang on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Class 6, Region D classification.
Woodbridge 23, Hylton 20
Meanwhile, in Woodbridge, a back-and-forth game between two Class 6, Region C teams battling for preferred position took place, and it wasn’t decided until the very end.
Jordan Mejia’s 20-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired to give the Vikings (8-1) a 23-20 comeback win. With Mount Vernon’s loss, Woodbridge will now take over the #2 seed in Region C.
Woodbridge was trailing 20-13 when Lamont James scored on a three-yard run to tie the game.
But Dashuan Jerkins picked off Keyshawn Copeland’s pass on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, setting up Mejia’s game-winning kick.
Ricky Slade (1,374 yards rushing, 19 TD in 2017) gained 136 rushing yards and two TD’s on 19 carries, while throwing a 40-yard scoring strike to Ra’Quan Johnson to give Hylton the 20-13 lead. In the end it wasn’t enough, as Woodbridge (8-1), behind Antevious Jackson (15 of 20, 154 yds., TD) pulled away with a game-winning drive, highlighted by a 38-yard strike from Jackson to Kurt Sanders.
T.C. Williams 38, Mount Vernon 31
Late last week, Majors’ coach Monty Fritts was asked what he expected to see from T.C. Williams, as the 5-3 Titans prepared to face Mt. Vernon.
“A very motivated team that is trying to make sure they get in the playoffs,” said Fritts, whose foreshadowing proved to be on-spot. The Titans bolted to a 28-6 lead to head to the intermission, but Mt. Vernon made a spirited comeback.
Tim Heltzel (202 passing yards, three TD’s) found Kofi Kwarteng for two passing touchdowns to cut the lead to 28-21. They wouldn’t get any closer, and when the Titans’ Kai Cole picked up a rolling punt deemed to be dead and sprinted through the majors’ punt coverage for a score, T.C. had built an insurmountable 38-21 lead.
Receiver/rusher hybrid Darrien Newton, who should pass the 2,000 total yards’ mark next week, had 11 receptions for 117 yards and added a short rushing touchdown for Mount Vernon (7-2), who will finish their season against West Potomac next week.
Hayfield 50, Annandale 43
Brian Cobbs put on one of the most impressive offensive displays that Northern Virginia has seen this year, helping the Hawks (7-3) clinch the Gunston District title.
Cobbs threw for 309 yards on 21 of 27 passing and four touchdowns, while rushing for 151 yards and two more scores. Travis Williams (8-88) had two TD receptions, while J.J. Pailin (2-83) and Rayjuon Pringle (4-66) added catching scores.
Colonial Forge 37, Mountain View 7
The Eagles jumped to 30-0 halftime lead, tacked on another touchdown in the third quarter and cruised to an easy win against Mountain View.
Ethan Garwood threw for 216 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, one to Josh Sarratt and the other to Paten Rodier. Jadon Redding added an area-best 52-yard field goal for Colonial Forge (9-0) who holds a #1 state ranking.
Brooke Point 23, Stafford 13
The Black-Hawks will bump into the #1 seed in Class 5, Region D after beating the previous #1 Stafford on Friday.
Josh Lawrence (five catches, 115 yards) caught a 68-yard touchdown from Paul Pierce in the first quarter while Tre Russ had the game-deciding TD catch. Pierce finished with 12 of 18 passing for 196 yards for Brooke Point (7-3). Stafford who will also finish the regular season at 7-3, were led by Lovell Armstead’s two rushing scores.
Flint Hill 54, Potomac School 21
Miles Thompson threw for 216 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Huskies to an easy win against their McLean opponent. Jordan Houston (108) and Mark Lewis (91) combined for almost 200 rushing yards, with Lewis’ 73-yard run serving as the Huskies’ longest play. Flint Hill (8-0) will retain its #1 ranking in VISAA Division I.
Washington-Lee 21, McLean 0
The Generals earned their second win of the season with a shutout over the winless Highlanders. Ryan Dodds (13-24, 208 yards) threw for two touchdowns, both to Liam McBride, while Will Murphy added a six-yard scoring run. Daquoi Moore led W-L with 74 rushing yards.
Wakefield 34, Stuart 28
The Warriors (3-6) broke a five-game losing streak with a National District win over rival Stuart. Rodney Lee rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown, while KeSean Deshazer add a pair of TD runs to go with his 107 ground yards. Cason Poythress completed 16 of 199 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns – to David Baron and Lamont McDowell.
With the win, the Warriors keep their playoff hopes for Class 5, Region C alive. Wakefield entered the game with the #9 seed, just behind Edison and Lee.
Other weekend scores
Battlefield 28, Stonewall Jackson 0
Brentsville 22, Skyline 21
Broad Run 16, Briar Woods 14
Centreville 35, Chantilly 7
Chancellor 30, Spotsylvania 14
Clarke Co. 42, George Mason 7
Colgan 20, Osbourn 0
Colonial Beach 40, Lancaster 6
Courtland 48, Caroline 0
Culpeper 35, Manassas Park 33
Dominion 41, Loudoun Valley 31
Eastern View 58, James Monroe 0
Essex 35, Washington & Lee 0
Flint Hill 54, Potomac School 21
Fork Union 30, O’Connell 7
Freedom 58, Woodbridge 6
Georgetown Prep 14, Episcopal 10
Herndon 35, Langley 6
Lake Braddock 49, West Springfield 31
Landon 42, St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes 13
Loudoun County 42, Woodgrove 33
Madison 31, Oakton 10
Marshall 44, Edison 20
North Stafford 28, Riverbend 10
Paul VI 17, Bishop Ireton 7
Potomac 30, Forest Park 27
Potomac Falls 40, Rock Ridge 14
Robinson 28, W.T. Woodson 8
Sidwell Friends 14, John Paul the Great 7
South County 49, Fairfax 28
Stone Bridge 59, Freedom 20
Tuscarora 34, Champe 29
Wakefield 34, Stuart 28
Washington-Lee 21, McLean 0
Westfield 21, West Potomac 14
