Best 703/571 Public School Football Games (Week 7)

District play is well underway all over the 703, and that means it’s really come to crunch time. As Nolan Bushnell once said, “the ultimate inspiration is the deadline.” And that deadline is inching ever so closer. Here are three 703 public school games you should be paying attention to this week.

South Lakes (5-0) vs. Oakton (5-0)

Two unbeatens clash in what already very well may turn out to be the Concorde District’s game of the year. South Lakes and Oakton are undefeated in their first five games, and they are never looking back for sure. It is truly one of the most anticipated games of the whole year here in the 703. Two teams, already with signature wins: South Lakes with a 22-point humiliation over Battlefield in Week 3, and Oakton with a 9-point win over Colonial Forge in Week 4. Two teams defined by offensive prowess, sprinkled on with a bit of game-changing defense. South Lakes bring arguably the most underrated player in the whole DMV in Joshua Benjamin-Dagbe, as well as the playmaking of Nick Pickarelli, the arms of Christian Wyatt and the legs of James Smith on offense, while on the defensive end they bring in two formidable players in Sebastian Valencia as well as Cameron Soto. Oakton counters with the elusive Ivy Leaguer in Deylen Jones, routine standout Colin Henriques, the ever-reliable Timmy Volciak, and proven gunslinger Jack Martin on offense, while on defense they counter with the notorious Brayden Vasquez. The Seahawks and the Cougars meet on Oakton’s campus this Friday at 7:00pm.

Westfield (5-0) vs. Madison (4-1)

Yet another big matchup in the Concorde District involving two teams that are riding hot streaks at the moment. Westfield are unbeaten in their first five games primarily with offense making up for defense, fresh off their largest win of the season; a 25-point thrashing of Lake Braddock. Madison comes into this game riding the cusp of a four-game winning streak. After their Week 1 loss at the hands of Stone Bridge, the Warhawks have climbed back with wins over West Springfield, Hayfield, and a shutout victory over George C. Marshall. But in district play, the season really begins to start for both of these two teams. Westfield brings in a real-life 1-2-3 punch on their offense with the likes of PJ Sutherland’s prowess on receiving and rushing, Casey O’Neal’s trench game, and Aaron Preti, who’s really breaking out to be a star in his sophomore season. Madison counters with their own breakout sophomore star in Andrew Mau, as well as the leadership of Lucas Vacaflor and the two evasives in Kellan Counts and Will Smoot. The Bulldogs and the Warhawks meet on Madison’s campus this Friday at 7:00pm.

#6 Stone Bridge (5-1) vs. Lightridge (5-0)

Stone Bridge comes into this 5-1, picking up right back from where they left off with a 12-point win over Woodgrove and a 10-point win over Potomac Falls in their last two games, following that 20-6 humbling at the hands of Quince Orchard. Lightridge on the other hand is somehow undefeated in their first 5 games. Sure, the opposition they’ve faced so far isn’t as difficult, but nevertheless it’s the best start in the school’s young history. Stone Bridge is of course loaded with talent all over, with the likes of Amir Anglin, Kaden Golston, Keith Nolen Jr., and whatnot. Lightridge on the other hand has a good bit of talent that has gone under the radar simply because they play for Lightridge, but they do have some major playmakers. They’re led by one of the top recruits in the state in Brayden Oshode, a 3-star commit to JMU. He’s paired up with emerging young gun quarterback Shay O’Hara, as well as the likes of Tyson Childress, Jeremiah Pettiford and Reed Hollincheck, and Carson Ruhe. The Bulldogs and the Lightning play on Lightridge’s campus this Friday at 7:00pm.