Loudoun County, Va. — As high school football gets underway in Loudoun County, a few local teams have already started to stand out among the crowd. In a two-district county, we wanted a way to put things into perspective. Enter: the LoCo Top 5.
Of course, if you’re into hard numbers, check out the full VHSL Region 5C and VHSL Region 4C standings.
[adrotate group=”4″]1. Broad Run (1-0)
This Broad Run team is tough. The Spartans proved just that as they cruised to a 31-0 win over district foe Potomac Falls in their season opener on August 24. Junior quarterback Mitch Griffis and junior running back Tim Baldwin create arguably the best backfield in Loudoun – and possibly the entire VHSL Region 5C. There are just two teams that potentially stand in their way of winning a Potomac District championship. After falling to Tuscarora in a VHSL Region 5C semifinal in 2017, Broad Run will get their first test of the season against the Huskies on August 31.
2. Stone Bridge (0-0)
Stone Bridge head coach Mickey Thompson has cultivated a winning culture since he opened the Bulldogs’ program in 2000. In his 18 years at the helm, the Bulldogs have won ten or more games 15 times. Stone Bridge played for state championships in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016 and won the VHSL AAA Division 5 State championship in 2007. If Broad Run’s backfield wasn’t so electric, the duo of Stone Bridge senior quarterback Mason Tatum and senior running back Nick Mell could be Loudoun’s finest. The Bulldogs are perennial contenders and look to start their fifth-straight journey to double digit wins in week two against Loudoun Valley.
3. Tuscarora (1-0)
Following a state championship run in 2017, Tuscarora head coach Michael Burnett announced his resignation to pursue a coaching opportunity at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. But the Huskies didn’t lose stride as defensive coordinator Brandon Wheelbarger assumed the head coaching role and led his team to a 35-7 win over King George to start the 2018 season. Tuscarora returns explosive running back LeRon West as well as three of the toughest offensive lineman in northern Virginia: senior center Will Moore, senior lineman Sam Galleta and senior tight end Christophe Atkinson. The Huskies will really be in business once senior quarterback Justin Allen returns sometime in (hopefully) mid-September.
4. Woodgrove (1-0)
After a slight stumble in 2017, Woodgrove looks to get back on track this fall. The Wolverines dominated Armstrong to open their season on August 24 and will look to stay hot when they travel to Massaponax in week two. A core of seniors – including receiver Ben Castellano, running back Josh Johnson and end Nick Lockhart – should lead the Wolverines to one of the top spots in the Dulles District in 2018.
5. Dominion (1-0)
Dominion’s schedule doesn’t get any easier after they came from behind to defeat VHSL 2A power Clarke County on August 24. The Titans head to Sterling-rival Potomac Falls on August 31, a team they beat 3-0 in 2017. Then two weeks later Dominion plays host to 6A South Lakes before tangoing with up-and-coming Heritage and Riverside. If navigating that schedule wasn’t tricky enough, junior lineman Jimmy Christ and the rest of the Titans will have their hands full on October 12 when they host Woodgrove in a game that could decide the Dulles District champion.
