Week 4 Preview

 There truly is no night like Friday Night. In this weeks preview we will go over where I was right from last week and where I was wrong and the we will get into this weeks intriguing matchups.

Where I was right:

Last week we picked the Colonial Forge Eagles to win 31-14, the Eagles proceeded to win 34-17 covering our "Spread" so to speak. We figured that the Eagles would pretty much control their game vs West Potomac but the Wolverines had some athletes we felt would get in the endzone.

Where I was wrong:

Nothing ends "upset alert" fears like putting 52 on the board. To be fair we may have been the only ones that feared it. Riverbend was confident from beginning to end and cruised over a struggling Cougars squad. 

Where I was wrong:

I'm convinced the Foxes are hear to stay. This is not a one year wonder program King George proved me wrong by dominating their match-up against Louisa (again) after I picked the Foxes to lose by 7.

LOCKS OF THE WEEK

#5 Massaponax (0-0) vs Woodbridge (0-2)

Some may think it's silly to say a team that hasn't played in 3 weeks is a lock to win. However, Woodbridge has had a difficult time scoring this season against 2 aggressive physical defenses. I quite frankly don't care how many players Ponax lost to graduation, Ponax will be physical and agressive. Throw in the fact Woodbridge will have no real film on Ponax's Triple Option for this season this is a tall task for the Vikings. Massaponax has been itching to get on the field they will get their chance tonight, and I expect it to be a show.

INTRIGUING MATCHUPS

Lake Braddock (1-1) at #6 North Stafford (2-0)

The Wolverines have had a great first 2 games defensively. Their defense has only given up one touchdown so far. However, for as well as their defense has played their offense has struggled just as much. If it wasn't for North's defense setting up their offense in their game against Gar-Field it is completely fair to assume they lose that game. The defense also carried North to victory in their game against Woodbridge. There opponent is kind of a mystery this season. Lake Braddock is normally a team that can put up an abundance of points, but so far this season they are averaging a modest 22 PPG. They are coming off a 49-21 defeat but that was against a Madison team that went to the Regional finals last season with several returning starters. One thing that will likely be the X-Factor in this matchup is depth. Even though it won't be scorching outside due to the rain that is happening all day today it will be very humid. And lack of depth and number could prove costly for the Wolverines 

Prediction: Lake Braddock 23 North Stafford 10

#3 Colonial Forge (1-1) at Stone Bridge (3-0)

Stone Bridge doesn't need a hype machine, you know who they are. You know their the defending State Champs. You know they're great every season. You know this. To me what makes this game so interesting is how similar these teams are. The Unity Reed game was a shock to the system for Forge I think we knew Unity Reed would be better but not THAT much better. Unity Reed was extremely quick mixed in with size that marched with the Eagles. For years I believe that the Bulldogs just have dominated their opponents with size and their tricky to defend Single Wing. This is Colonial Forge team that has more than enough size to matchup with the Bulldogs. Seeing Stone Bridge perform at a high level won't surprise the Eagles either as we said everyone knows who Stone Bridge is. The Eagles won't be "fooled" by SB's Single Wing either don't get me wrong there will occasionally be busted assignments, no team in this area runs the single wing it will be a look the squad hasn't seen before. Both of these teams keep it on the ground and play hard nosed football and to be honest I believe the Eagles have faster ATHLETES than Stone Bridge  this game will be extremely entertaining and will come down to the wire... 

Prediction: Colonial Forge 16 Stone Bridge 24

UPSET ALERT

#9 Eastern View (2-0) at Brooke Point (2-1)

This is a pretty big week for the Black-Hawks, through the first 3 weeks Brooke Point has shown a great ability to put up points. averaging 41 PPG so far. However, if the Black Hawks want to win and make a statement heading into district play they must improve a defense that has allowed 44 PPG. Eastern View has their own issues they need to fix if they want to avoid the mini upset as the Cyclones overcame several mistakes to inch by Stafford 30-26 last week. If the Cyclones have not improved on these mistakes it could be a week where we see the Black Hawks begin their return to prominence in the area  

OTHER GAMES

James Monroe (1-1) at #1 Mountain View (3-0)

#4 Riverbend (2-1) at Chancellor (0-0)

Spotsylvania (1-1) at Stafford (0-2)

Washington & Lee (1-1) at #2 King George (1-0) 

Culpeper (1-2) at Liberty (0-2)

#8 Orange (3-0) at Harrisonburg (1-2) 

Fluvanna at #10 Louisa (2-1)

#7 Kettle Run (2-1) at Riverside (0-3)

Faquier (0-3) at Warren County (0-3)