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Game of the Week: Panthers, Raiders set to battle
Potomac Falls and Loudoun County have clearly been the most pleasant surprises among the Loudoun contingent of varsity football teams this season.
The Panthers (4-0) have matched their win total from 2007 with six games remaining in the regular season, while the Raiders (3-1) have surpassed their victory count (two) from last season.
The two feel-good stories of 2008 will test their skills against each other Oct. 3, when County hosts Potomac Falls for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
“We set forth in August that the only game that matters to us is the next game,” County coach Todd Hill said. “I know it's a bit cliche, but we are taking it one game at a time and Potomac Falls is next. Our kids have really bought into focusing on the game we are playing and not looking at the big picture.”
Both squads are 1-0 in Dulles District play after winning their district openers Sept. 26. The Panthers handed Heritage its first loss, 48-21, and the Raiders knocked off perennial contender Park View, 21-4.
"We got a lot to prove here, you know,” Potomac Falls coach Scott Woodlief said following the win against Heritage. “[Some reporters] had us at 5-6 at the beginning of the year. Great motivator for our guys.”
The Panthers are outscoring their opponents by an average of 30 points per game this season. A balanced and experienced offense is producing 46.5 points per contest.
While Potomac Falls is loaded at the skill positions with quarterback Greg Woodlief, running back Michael Baker and receivers Chad McMichael, Chris Pelto and Tarrell Owens, coach Woodlief gives a lot of credit to his offensive line.
"They're the reason why we're winning football games,” he said. “Our guys are controlling the line of scrimmage. Our guys are physical, and they want to get after it."
The Raiders have relied heavily on their defense in their three victories. Outside of a 49-21 loss to Handley in week two, County is allowing less than nine points per game.
Hill credits his team's work ethic for their turnaround. After dropping 17 consecutive games, the Raiders have won five of their last seven contests, dating back to the 2007 season.
“The kids have worked extremely hard in the offseason and during the season,” Hill said. “Last week, we asked them to watch extra film as we prepared for the Park View game, and the kids were there before school and after school. The success we've had makes them feel the hard work is paying off.”
Each coach is respectful of the other's program, and both expect a hard-fought game Friday night.
"We got a heck of a football team coming up Friday night against Loudoun County,” Woodlief said. “They beat a good football team over there [Sept. 26] at Park View."
Hill stated, “Potomac Falls is off to a wonderful start. That's a good team and they are well-coached. I'm sure they are going to bring a lot of their fans to the game, and we hope to have a lot of our fans at the game. It should be an electric atmosphere.”
Jason S. Rufner contributed to this story
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