The Top 5 Teams in D.C.

This article ranks the top five teams in the District of Columbia thus far into the season. D.C. has some powerhouse teams this year, and it makes a lot of sense to do a rankings list specifically for the district. This analysis is meant to highlight the players who made these great seasons possible, with hopes that it helps them to get recruited as a result.   RANKINGS (D.C.)  

1. St. John’s College High School

To say that St. John’s has been dominant this season would be a complete understatement. The Cadets’ defense, led by SMU commit Isaiah Smith Isaiah Smith 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL St. John's Catholic Prep | 2022 State MD and Marcus Simmons, has earned three consecutive shutouts, and they’ve only allowed 13 total points all season. Senior quarterback Wyatt Hagan Wyatt Hagan 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB St. John's Catholic Prep | 2022 State MD gets collegiate level protection from his offensive line, and it allows the Bowling Green commit to make the best throws for his receivers who have performed at an elite level every week. DJ Linkins DJ Linkins 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR St. John's Catholic Prep | 2022 State MD and Sean Williams have led the charge, but other receivers like Josh Gary Josh Gary 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR The Bullis School | 2022 State MD and Asa Gregg have been difference makers as well. The Cadets still have a chance at a perfect season, and they’re starting to make the case for national recognition. The #1 ranked team in D.C. will put it all on the line 10/22 against DeMatha.  

2. Archbishop Carroll

The Archbishop Carroll Lions are officially 1-0 in conference play and 7-0 overall on the season after obliterating Bishop Ireton by six touchdowns. The Lions are, without a doubt, the breakout team of the season in the WCAC, and the undefeated streak that they are on has been nothing but dominant. Their defense, led by Shon Reid Shon Reid 5'9" | 205 lbs | RB Archbishop Carroll | 2022 State MD and Nasir Smith, plays with a ton of energy, and they have only allowed 27 points all season. Their Sophomore quarterback, Kelvin Hewitt, has an incredible arm, and his ability to game manage and find his receivers during key situations is spectacular. The Archbishop Carroll Lions have a truly special team this season, and they’ll look to extend their legendary unbeaten streak to eight games against Bishop O’Connell in the coming weeks.  

3. St. Alban’s School

The STA Bulldogs have the strongest squad they’ve had in a while, and the reason is their phenom quarterback Chase Williams Chase Williams 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB St. Paul's | 2022 State MD . Williams was a WCAC champion with Good Counsel, however, he transferred to St. Alban’s for his Senior season and it has worked out extremely well thus far. STA defeated Paul VI 20-7, which is an impressive win they may not have pulled off in the program’s past, and with that it looks like St. Alban’s has a real chance at an IAC championship this season. The STA Bulldogs face Bullis this Saturday to kick off IAC conference play.  

4. Dunbar High School

The Dunbar Crimson Tide are undefeated, and they’ve beaten multiple teams by more than fifty points. Their defense has also posted three shutouts out of the team’s four overall victories. Junior quarterback Jibril Scott has a 10:0 touchdown to interception ratio this season, and his decision making capabilities at the position are far beyond his years. Senior running back Daequan Harvin put up career numbers last week against Eastern, three carries for 169 yards and three touchdowns, and Dunbar will continue to dominate with him lined up with Jibril Scott in the backfield. In their next game, Dunbar faces a 5-1 Roosevelt Roughriders team who rounds out this top five rankings list right behind Dunbar at #5. This matchup will be high school football at its finest, and it will also bring a lot more clarity to these ranking projections.  

5. Roosevelt High School

Ever since they lost their opening game to #2 ranked Archbishop Carroll, the Roosevelt Rough Riders have played their best football on both sides of the ball. Their offense, led by Senior quarterback Kerry Burns Jr, averages about 40 points/per game, and their defense has only allowed an average of 10 point/per game over their last three contests. A lot of their success lies on the shoulders of their Junior running back Juan Pratt. Pratt averages about six yards per carry, and his dominance has been the spark for this Roosevelt team. The Roughriders remain undefeated in league play, and they’ll look to continue that streak this weekend against Dunbar in a clash of the district’s best.