Best 703/571 Public School Football Games (Week 9)

#11 Madison (6-1) vs. South Lakes (6-1)

The game of the week in the Concorde District matches the best overall matchup in the Northern Virginia area. The Madison Warhawks soar to six straight wins after winning against Centreville 28-21 last week, while South Lakes get back to winning ways in a 41-6 domination of Chantilly in one of the most dominant games they’ve had this year. The matchup to watch will be a duel of offensive prowess, with Madison bringing in their signature running game against South Lakes’ signature passing game. Madison brings in a relentless rushing offense with the likes of Will Smoot, Andrew Mau, and William Helvey. Lucas Vacaflor leads the helm and usually delivers when his team needs him most. Their passing offense is also solid, with Kellan Counts making clutch catches whenever he’s tasked to. South Lakes is defined by a passing offense armed by the likes of Joshua Benjamin-Dagbe and Nick Pickarelli, but they’re armed with a more-than-capable running game carried by James Smith. Christian Wyatt leads the helm as one of the best quarterbacks arguably in the whole state. Both teams also rely on strong defenses, with Madison pushing for Nick Harris and Max Monticelli, while South Lakes counter with talents such as Sebastian Valencia and Cameron Soto. The Warhawks and the Seahawks clash on South Lakes’ campus this Friday at 7:00pm.

Westfield (5-2) vs. Centreville (5-2)

This Concorde matchup matches two teams that are coming off of single-digit losses from last week. Westfield comes off a 35-30 point loss when they hosted Oakton last week, while Centreville comes off a 28-21 loss when they visited Madison last week, as mentioned earlier. Westfield have now dropped two straight games, while Centreville was handed their first loss since Sep. 3rd. Westfield’s defense has given up at least 28 points in five games so far this year, while Centreville has given up 68 in the last six weeks combined. Westfield’s offense relies on two major running backs in PJ Sutherland and Casey O’Neal, in addition to a very reliable receiving game primarily with Jaiden Gay-Johnson. Centreville’s offense is primarily reliant on the receiving game with the likes of Nick Solomon and Henry Porter, but their running game is more than solid with the likes of Kenny Johnson, Gianluca Torres, and Dhillon Ball, one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the region. Defensively, Westfield is led by the likes of JJ Hill and Gio Harris, while Centreville is led by the likes of Jacob Birnbaum and Noah Sample. The Bulldogs and the Wildcats clash on Centreville’s campus this Friday at 7:00pm.

John Champe (5-2) vs. Lightridge (6-1)

The game of the week in Loudoun County matches a team that has been consistently a mainstay in the LoCo scene against a team that has already had the best season in its still young history. John Champe, with a win today, would secure their fifth straight winning season, while Lightridge have already notched their second winning season in seven campaigns. John Champe is led by plenty of young and emerging talent all around who have the team’s future in very good hands. Quarterback Braeden Graves has really emerged as a fantastic talent for their offense, led by the likes of Cole Fitzgerald, and Landon McDurfee on the passing game, while Landen Robinson has consistently delivered on the rushing game. Lightridge brings in offensive talent with a two-quarterback system in the dual-threat Shay O’Hara as well as Ian Couey. On the receiving end, Reed Hollincheck is the most prominent, while rushing talents include the likes of Ace Taylor. Defensively, Rocco D’Ambrisi is definitely John Champe’s best defender, while Lightridge’s Brayden Oshode has already verbally committed to play for the James Madison Dukes. The Knights and the Lightning clash on Lightridge’s campus this Friday at 7:00pm.