The Biggest Games and Upset Alerts In 2007
With the football season rapidly approaching, let's take a sneak peak into what should be the biggest match-ups and possible upsets in the 2007 football season. Every year, the season starts with high expectations for our local teams, coaches, and players. This fall will be no different as new coaches are set to take over programs in both Loudoun and Fairfax, and several teams are changing landscapes with a jump to the Group AAA level.
Week 1: (August 30th, 2007)
Chantilly @ Langley
The Chargers are hoping to keep their amazing run toward the end of 2006 going as they head into Mclean to play the Langley Saxons. Langley is continually talked about by opposing coaches as a team that can win any week, but they often don't win the big games. Last year's Saxon squad did show some promise and Chantilly has some big shoes to fill on defense and behind center, so this game should be really interesting....
Safe Pick = Chantilly
Upset Alert:
Fauquier travels to cross town rival Liberty on the 31st. Last year's game ended poorly for the Falcons as Liberty pulled away with the win. However, Fauquier has the most experience returning and may be able to get their first win over the Eagles in years.
Week 2: (September 7th, 2007)
Stone Bridge @ Robinson
This game has flare to it already! Stone Bridge, fresh off an 11-1 season and having won more games in the past 5 years than any program in the state, has to travel to face a Robinson team that should be vastly improved. The Rams were one game away from the playoffs last season and return their signal caller Timmy Meier and several outstanding defensive players. The Bulldogs will be facing their second straight away game after West Springfield in week one and that could play out to be an advantage for Robinson.
Safe Pick = Robinson
Upset Alert:
Oakton travels to Annandale in a rematch of last year's season finale in the regular season for the Cougars. Annandale played the Cougars close and if it weren't for a big play from Oakton's Ervin Garner, the game might have turned out differently. Look for this one to be close.....
Week 3: (September 14th, 2007)
Handley @ Park View
Anytime you have J.J. Dorsey to contain, your defense has a problem. In one of the most interesting match-ups of the season, the Park View Patriots will have to figure out an answer for the talented signal caller from Handley. Park View will need a special performance from quarterback C.J Leizear to keep the score close in this one as Handley will score points for sure.
Safe Pick = Handley
Upset Alert:
Woodbridge is a preseason favorite in Division 6 and they travel to Loudoun Valley in what should be a great game. The Vikings play well at home and will have the Jungle (Valley's Student Fan base) out in full force to make the atmosphere special. The Vikings could surprise the region with a big early season upset....
Week 4: (September 20th, 2007)
Loudoun Valley @ Stone Bridge
This game always has a special feeling to it, especially when you look at it in the preseason. The Vikings have been so close in years past at toppling the Bulldogs but haven't been able to pull out the victory. After a rough start to the season, Stone Bridge will be ready for this rivalry game that should feature a packed house in Ashburn.
Safe Pick = Stone Bridge
Upset Alert:
The entire Chantilly community will be at Westfield High School for a special Thursday night clash between two heated rivals. The Chargers and Bulldogs split games last year, but it was Chantilly's regional championship win over Westfield that is still resonating. The top ranked Bulldogs will need to be ready....
Week 5: (September 28th, 2007)
Handley @ Sherando 
The Battle of Winchester takes place on this Friday night with Handley heading to Arrowhead stadium to face Sherando. Two of the top three quarterbacks in the state will be showcased in this one as Warrior Ross Metheny and Handley's J.J. Dorsey do battle for the second time together in this annual contest. Arrowhead stadium is a tough place to win and the Northwest District championship may be on the line in this one....
Safe Pick = Sherando
Upset Alert:
Last year's Group AAA state champ Osbourn travels to Bealeton, VA to play Liberty in a crucial Cedar Run district contest. Osbourn must prove they can win on the road against a tough team without last year's star Brandon Hogan. They get their first real test against a physically tough Eagle squad playing at home.
Safe Pick = Liberty
Week 6: (October 5th, 2007)
Oakton @ Chantilly
The Cougars travel to Chantilly to face the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season in this mid-season clash. The Chargers will have already faced Westfield which should prepare them for a physical Cougar squad. Oakton's ability to run the football on Chantilly's defense could be the key. Look for Cougar quarterback Ryan Harris to also play well.
Safe Pick = Oakton
Upset Alert:
Heritage has always played well against Broad Run, and this year should be no different. The Pride will have a solid offensive attack and should have the speed advantage in this game. This could turn out to be a district title spoiler for the Spartans if they get caught looking past the Pride......
Week 7: (October 12th, 2007)
Park View @ Potomac Falls
Last year, the Panthers were destroyed by Park View's Deric Dudinski, who rushed for 319 yards in a rout. It is a safe bet that Potomac Falls has had this game circled on the calendar since the schedules were released. Potomac Falls will have a better offense this year with quarterback Greg Woodlief back for his junior season behind center. The Patriots will have more size and stronger players in the trenches which is where most games are won. The question is who will save the Patriots if they fall behind?
Safe Pick = Potomac Falls
Upset Alert:
Oakton hosts Centreville in a game that is always physical and usually provides a crazy ending. The Cougars won last year's game on a kickoff return with 12 seconds left. Centreville has a new coach and will feature a new backfield with the graduation of quarterback Van Chew. However, the Wildcats are always one of the most athletic teams in the state, and this year should be no different. The Cougars will need to play their best to win...
Week 8: (October 19th, 2007) 
Madison @ Stone Bridge
In just two short years, the Bulldogs have handed Madison some crushing defeats on the gridiron. Last year, they knocked the Warhawks out of the playoffs in a convincing win at home. The Warhawks will have a chance to rectify that loss with the Liberty District title once again on the line. Look for this game to come down to playmakers, the Bulldogs have more and should prevail...
Safe Pick = Stone Bridge
Upset Alert:
Could this be the year that Briar Woods head coach Charlie Pierce gets his first win against his former team Park View? It is highly possible. The Falcons will be a year stronger and should be much improved behind the play of quarterback Alex Munro. Munro and his two talented receivers Tim King and Devin Barber will need to put some points on the board early, and if they do, the Patriots could be in trouble...
Week 9: (November 2nd, 2007)
Westfield @ Centreville
The biggest game this week will no doubt be the annual contest between Westfield and Centreville. The Bulldogs should head to Centreville with the chance to clinch the Concorde District with a win, but in this rivalry, you never know. Centreville has a tendency to play their best against Westfield, but Glennon and the rest of the Bulldogs should be too much.
Safe Pick = Westfield
Upset Alert:
The Loudoun Valley Vikings travel to play Liberty in a game that should feature two hard hitting defenses. The Eagles should be in position to compete for the Cedar Run title, and every time we count out Valley, they end up proving us wrong. This game could be for all the marbles but the home team Eagles have the most to lose in this one....
Week 10: (November 9th, 2007)
Park View @ Broad Run
History, tradition, those are the only words that come to mind when you talk about this game. Last season's contest decided the district title and this year, it should be the same case. Broad Run is hoping that 2007 is their year while Park View is trying build from last season's championship run. All the best games have storylines and this one will be the same way. The Spartans are a program on the rise and they prove it with a close win....
Safe Pick = Broad Run
Upset Alert:
Millbrook travels to Sherando and while this game shouldn't be close, it will be. Sherando will be getting ready for the playoffs and Millbrook will be fighting to make the playoffs, which will make this interesting. Look for the Pioneers to take this game to wire....
