Ashburn Football Preview: Continued Success Predicted

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Heritage at Briar Woods
Game Time: Friday, 7 p.m. at Briar Woods

Sole possession of the Dulles District lead will be on the line Friday night as Briar Woods (5-1, 5-0) hosts the high-powered Heritage Pride (5-1, 4-0). After winning just one game all last season, the Pride have relied upon the strong arm of quarterback Austin Nelson to lead the team to five wins this year and turn the offense into one of the highest scoring in the area. Nelson leads the entire Washington, DC, metro area in passing, with nearly 1600 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air in just six games.

Marcus Finney and Brady Gerling have established themselves as Nelson's favorite targets, combining for nearly 1000 receiving yards on the season.

The trouble for Heritage has been on defense, especially when compared to Briar Woods. In games against common opponents – Dominion, Potomac Falls and Park View – Heritage gave up a total of 76 points, while Briar Woods gave up just 9.

The Falcons defense is truly playing on another level right now, having surrendered a grand total of three touchdowns all season, two of which came in the opening week loss to Broad Run. But in the off chance that Friday's game turns into a shoot out, the Falcons can rack up points as well as anyone. In fact, the Falcons are leading the Dulles District in scoring, averaging 40 points per game, just ahead of the 36 per game Heritage has put up.

Prediction: It's been a great turnaround season for Heritage, and you have to feel good for Nelson, who put up yards as a junior last year but couldn't get the Pride into the win column often. Nonetheless, the Pride run up against the district's best defense and offense this week, and the Falcons should win easily. Briar Woods 41, Heritage 17.

Marshall at Stone Bridge
Game Time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Stone Bridge

The story lines are not quite as exciting for the Stone Bridge (5-1, 3-0) versus Marshall (1-5, 0-3) game. Stone Bridge is good: the team shares the Liberty District lead with Fairfax, leads the district in scoring offense, and, if you discount some touchdowns given up by the offense via turnovers, has the best defense in the district.

Marshall is simply struggling. The team's only win came against 0-6 Falls Church, and the Statesmen were blown off the field the first four weeks of the season, as opponents outscored them by a staggering 148-3. Marshall may have a glimmer of hope based on the team’s performances the last two weeks. The Statesman nearly pulled off the upset of the year against Fairfax last week before losing in heartbreaking fashion in overtime 28-21. The week before, Marshall suffered another tough loss, falling just short against Mclean 20-19.

Prediction: Good beats not so good as Stone Bridge looks to improve with every snap as they prepare for another playoff run. Stone Bridge 42 Marshall 10.