3. Kettle Run Cougars

Last season the Cougars went where no team in Fauquier has been before, the Class 4 VHSL State Championship. Unfortunately they ran into a buzzsaw in the shape of an elite Dinwiddie team. The Cougars also had to say goodbye to an amazing senior class led by (WR) Jordan Tapscott and (QB) Abram Chumley. But does that mean that Kettle Run will take a step back? In terms of explosive plays maybe, however their is still plenty of talent on both sides of the football.

Once you get past the big names lost on offense like Tapscott, and Chumley you realize the Cougars are returning a good amount of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Not many teams in the Northwestern district are going to be prepared to stop (RB) Colton Quaker who performed well behind a great offensive line. Much of that offensive line returns including the huge 6'6 270 Pound Caleb Rapp at Tackle. Jacob Mulhern has gotten a decent amount of varsity reps due to getting in towards the end of blowout wins last season and will look to have chemistry with two 6 foot Recievers in Collin Fay and Sam Rodgers. Kettle Run has gained a reputation for being able to put points on the scoreboard this years team has potential to do the same. 

Defensively the Cougars will make things tough for opponents with the likes of (LB) Mason Hodges and (LB) Colton Quaker returning. The secondary will look to limit explosive plays and create big ones of their own. If there was any weakness to this team a season ago it was this side of the ball giving up 21 points per game including 65 in the state title game. However part of the reason for that was their offenses ability to score quickly on teams. Look for the defense to continue to do enough for the Cougars to win games 

The schedule for Kettle Run presents a few challenges. Their first two games are brutal, a road game against an improving Liberty team and then a Saturday afternoon match-up at the Handley Bowl. Then they cap their season against a Brentsville District team that has made 2 deep playoff runs in Class 3. The Cougars dropped down to Class 3 themselves this offseason and will hope to make another deep playoff run. 

Record Projection: 9-1