Week 1 Preview

Oh how SWEET it is!! Friday night lights are back!! After a long wait and long summer, it's finally time to put toes to leather. I have a good feeling about the teams in the 540 this season and absolutely can not wait for some of our bigger match-ups later down the line. But let's stay focused on opening week! Several good games are on the dockett! 

ALREADY FINAL

North Stafford (0-1) at  Gar-Field (1-0)

Last night New Head Coach Marquez Hall took a heartbreaking loss in Woodbridge falling 10-6. The defense performed just fine but the offense struggled severely through the first 3 quarters never truly posing a threat to score. Then in the 4th North went with freshman QB Brendan Perkins who immediately drove down the field and got the Wolverines back in the game. He would get a shot to give the Wolverines the lead with less than 30 seconds to go, but his pass to Yaya Conteh was knocked out thanks to a great play by Gar-Fields safety. Tough one, but the team should feel optimistic going forward should they chose to stick with Perkins.

Independence (44) (1-0) at Fauquier (7) (0-1)

INTRIGUING MATCH-UPS

Freedom (Woodbridge) at #5 Brooke Point 

This match-up was truly anything but intriguing a season ago, unless of course you were intrigued with just how many points Freedom could put on the scoreboard. This seasons Freedom team will once again be a threat to light up the scoreboard. However, this years Brooke Point team appears to be a couple of steps ahead of where they were at this time a season ago. They'll play host to one of the most explosive offenses in the entire state. I'm sure the Brooke Point players returning from last season took the drubbing personally and will have some extra motivation for this season opener

Prediction: Freedom 38 Brooke Point 21

#2 King George at Lafayette

Listen, if I was going to be home tonight watching the games on NFHS THIS would be the game I'd be locked into. In case you were wondering, these 2 teams played each other to a 14-14 tie a year ago before lightning eventually caused the game to be cancelled due to the distance between the 2 schools. For those not familiar with Lafayette as a program this a program not far removed from their 2021 (Spring Season) state championship a goal that is firmly on the mind of King George players. The trip to Williamsburg presents one of the hardest challenges for the Foxes in the regular season as of right now. They will need to come out with their A game in order to win. 

Prediction: King George 30 Lafayette 17

UPSET ALERT 

#10 James Monroe at Stafford

Kind of an interesting match-up in its own way is the "Battle of the Bridge" match-up this season. Before including story lines this match-up features one of the older rivalries in the area. Then let's remember that legendary former James Monroe Head Coach is now an assistant on Stafford's brand new staff. A new staff that is led by Jeff Drugatz who has had his share of run ins with the Yellow Jackets. James Monroe are still the favorites in this one but they're playing an energized Stafford team that is tired of losing and see no better time to end their 20 game losing streak.  

OTHER GAMES

This season a slight change as I will make a pick for each game. Feel free to make your predictions in the comments!! If we get enough participation we can start a pick 'em contest

* Projected Winners in bold

Forest Park at #1 Mountain View

#3 Riverbend at Spotsylvania

Hugenot at #6 Louisa

Culpeper at #7 Eastern View

#8 Massaponax at Chancellor

#9 Kettle Run at Heritage 

Liberty at Brentsville District

Orange at Courtland