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 (3-1) —
In the first four weeks of the season, Broad Run has three wins against LoCo Top 5 teams. Most recently, the Spartans rallied after the first quarter to defeat No. 5 John Champe, 21-13, on September 13. Despite just an 8-point win, the Spartans’ 21 points are the most the Knights have allowed all season. Scoring against John Champe is no easy feat as the Knights have held two of the DMV’s top teams Friendship Collegiate and Centreville to 20 and 14 points, respectively. The season is still young, but Broad Run has toppled two of the Potomac District’s top four teams and looks to roll against Rock Ridge on September 21 in Ashburn.
2. Stone Bridge (3-0) —
Stone Bridge is really No. 1b on our list. The Bulldogs are obliterating teams, outscoring their opponents 161-30 through three games, including statement wins over Lake Braddock (70-3) and Madison (49-21) on September 7 and September 13. We should see just how electric the Stone Bridge offense is when they host defensive-geared John Champe in Ashburn on September 21. A big win against the Knights could lift the Bulldogs to the No. 1a spot in the LoCo Top 5.
3. Tuscarora (2-2) —
A 14-point loss to No. 4 Woodgrove is certainly a blemish on Tuscarora’s early season record, but the Huskies are still without 2017 All-LoCo first team quarterback Justin Allen. Tuscarora is primed to win its next three games against Briar Woods, Rock Ridge and Freedom, and if Allen returns before their bye week, the Huskies could have a fighting chance against No. 2 Stone Bridge in Week 9 and should be competitive with No. 5 John Champe in Week 10.
4. Woodgrove (2-2) ?1
Yes, Woodgrove beat Tuscarora in Week 4, but the Huskies are not fully healthy and first-year head coach Brandon Wheelbarger is still trying to work out some kinks with his Huskies. That’s not take anything away from the Wolverines, who rose to the occasion and dispatched 5A Tuscarora on September 14. After scoring just 13 points combined in two games against Massaponax and Broad Run, Woodgrove piled on the touchdowns against the Huskies in a major early season win.
5. John Champe (1-3) ?1
How is there a 1-3 team in the LoCo Top 5 while two 4-0 teams sit on the bubble? Simple: strength of schedule. All three of the Knights’ losses have been decided by two touchdowns or less, and all three have come against really, really good football teams. Unfortunately, the Knights route to victory doesn’t get any easier as they travel to No. 2 Stone Bridge on September 21. Don’t be surprised to see a 1-4 John Champe team still in the LoCo Top 5 come Week 6, if the Knights manage to stick around with the Bulldogs.