WCAC Final Rankings Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following analyses are my final WCAC rankings predictions for the end of the 2022 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><li><strong>Bishop McNamara</strong><br>It's no secret that the WCAC is one of the top high school football conferences in the nation. Unlike most high school teams, Bishop McNamara consistently challenges nationally recognized powerhouse programs during conference play. The Mustangs absolutely demolished Lincoln (NY) 50-0, and their victory was definitely their largest of the year. McNamara has a young Freshman quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1699439' first='Jaiden' last='Young'], who can really play and who has a bright future. That being said, they've now lost two in a row and, with conference play around the corner, it's difficult for me to see McNamara taking out any of the top four teams in the conference during the WCAC regular season. </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><li><strong>Gonzaga</strong><br>The Gonzaga Purple Eagles have a 4-2 record through six games, and they have two very quality wins over Archbishop Carroll and McDonogh. Gonzaga's QB [player_tooltip player_id='264054' first='Aidan' last='Conrath'] is a top ten quarterback in the DMV for passing yards, at #7 with 1212 yards, and he is proving himself as the go-to guy for the Purple Eagles. The Gonzaga defense also only allowed one score overall in their previous contest against FCA, which means that their defense is in a really good spot as we head into league play next week. All of that being said, the harsh reality of competing in the best conference in high school football is that it's really hard to win conference games. Looking at the top 3 teams in the WCAC as it stands today, I just don't think that Gonzaga will be able to pull-off the upset over DeMatha, Good Counsel, or St. John's this year. The top three teams are simply too well-rounded, and, while the Purple Eagles will compete hard and keep it close as they always do, I believe that they will end conference pay 1-3 this season. Make no mistake, however, Gonzaga is one of the best high school sports programs in the nation, and I guarantee you that they'll be competing for WCAC gold next season.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><li><strong>St. John's</strong><br>The 2021 undefeated WCAC Champs begin conference play this Saturday against Bishop McNamara, and, as they're coming off a loss to Cedar Grove (GA), I have no doubt in my mind that they'll take care of business against the Mustangs. The Cadets are led by their very elite QB1 Myles Slade, and his premier rush attack combined with Da'Jaun Riggs in the backfield will simply be too much for McNamara's defense to handle. St. John's is also very sound defensively, and their elite pass-rush in tandem with their stellar linebacker play is going to make it extremely tough for McNamara to move the football. Against DeMatha and Good Counsel, however, is a different story entirely. While I believe St. John's is a top three team in the WCAC, I predict that they lose to both DeMatha and Good Counsel. The reason for my prediction is based on the depth in the backfield that both the Stags and the Falcons possess. St. John's is one of the elite programs in the nation, however, I fear that revenge from last year is around the corner for DeMatha and Good Counsel.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><li><strong>DeMatha</strong><br>DeMatha is one of the most well-rounded and well-renowned high school sports powerhouses in the country, and their football team in 2022 is a phenomenal representation of that fact. The Stags are 4-1, and their defense has posted four consecutive shutouts against top tier competition. They've only allowed 11 total points in five games , all of which were conceded in their only loss, and they're truly a next level defense. On offense, they possess a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'], and a backfield with a lot of depth in [player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt'], [player_tooltip player_id='371280' first='Tovani' last='Mizell'], and Bud Coombs. Except for Good Counsel, I don't see anyone in the WCAC beating DeMatha this season, and I think that they're absolutely the #2 team in the conference. They should also be ranked in the national top 25 rankings, because they're absolutely one of the best high school football teams in the nation this season.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li><strong>Good Counsel</strong><br>In my opinion, Good Counsel is the best team in the WCAC this season, and I believe that they will finish the regular season #1 in the conference on their way to winning a WCAC title. [player_tooltip player_id='249086' first='Frankie' last='Weaver']'s quarterback play has been consistently great, and their running back play can compete with any other backfield in the nation. Nobody has been able to stop their running back tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='249102' first='Dilin' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='218627' first='Peyton' last='Nelson'] from dominating, and they're elite performance has absolutely been the primary reason for Good Counsel's success. The Falcons possess a 5-1 overall record, and there's little to no doubt in my mind that their record will be 6-1 after their next game on October 14th against Gonzaga (D.C.). Good Counsel is the second best team in Maryland, behind St. Frances Academy, in my opinion, and the Falcons deserve a spot in the nation's Top 25 high school football team rankings.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->