Week 8 Games to Watch: Virginia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three more weeks until District playoffs begin boy does time fly when you are having fun. While the regular season is rapidly approaching the end we still have a lot to determine on what schools will be playoff bound and who will be gearing up for their respective winter sports. Below are a few games to watch for week 8:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Herndon vs Mclean (Saturday October 14):</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are not out with your children for any sport outing or plopped up on your couch for college football, two of the top teams in District 2 will square off this Saturday. This game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the Herndon Hornets (5-2) making the cross town trip to face the undefeated Mclean Highlanders (6-0). The Highlanders have had back to back thrilling victories over George Marshall and Yorktown and with a win this week would stamp their number 1 seed come playoff time. The Hornets will certainly have something to say about that as they are looking good come playoff time but want more. Coming off a big win over Chantily in week 7, Herndon will be looking to knock off one of the last unbeaten squads around, get your popcorn ready! <em><strong>Players to Watch: Juver Sorto, Thatcher Swinton, [player_tooltip player_id='1233197' first='Sebastian' last='Kasper'], Logan Blake, [player_tooltip player_id='1282065' first='Ethan' last='Ball'], Ben Irish</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Langley vs Yorktown:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been a roller coaster of a season for the Yorktown Patriots who in their three losses have come by no more 7 points, including their heartbreaking loss to Mclean last Friday 7-3. The Langley Saxons do not care and will look to remain perfect in conference play when they travel to face Yorktown in another huge District 2 battle. Both squads can compete with the best this is honestly in my opinion a pick em game and another reason why I am not a gamble because its a very even matchup. <strong><em>Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='855053' first='Brady' last='Owens'], Michael Merritt, Hudson Greene, Kristo Reinhardt, Blake Thompson, [player_tooltip player_id='1298294' first='Cole' last='Samburg']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Battlefield vs Gainesville:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back to back weeks the upstart Gainesville Cardinals (5-1, 1-1) face another powerhouse, this week they welcome undefeated Battlefield Bobcats (6-0, 2-0). The Bobcats have yet to be tested beating their 6 opponents by an average of over 40 points. Prior to last week Gainesville had been a similar boat, they had taken care of their first 5 teams with not much resistance. That all changed last week as the powerhouse Patriot Pioneers took it to them so the Cardinals are back in revenge mood. Can Coach Bruton's squad compete with the big dogs in the conference, will find out a lot more about his squad Friday night. <strong><em>Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='801105' first='Cameron' last='Binkowski'], [player_tooltip player_id='853820' first='Calum' last='O'Shea'], Brandon Binkowski, Braden Boggs, Aidan McClaferty, [player_tooltip player_id='1230142' first='Koven' last='Smith'], Wyatt Bach, Colton Kilmer</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Virginia Academy vs Loudoun Valley:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Loudoun Valley Vikings will welcome the streaking Virginia Academy Patriots for what may have the whole county attending to see these two schools clash. The Vikings record at 3-3 is a bit deceiving they took top seeded Tuscarora to the limit last week in a 14-0 loss. Prior to that they had ripped off three consecutive wins and have FBS level talent across the board. Head Coach Obie Woods of VA Academy has his team humming posting back to back 40 point victories and you get the feeling bragging rights are abound for the victor in this one. VA Academy just began their program last season and play a very difficult independent schedule, the Patriots will look to keep their momentum going this Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup to watch is sophomore standout outside linebacker/defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='853976' first='Tristan' last='Lux'] vs. Loudoun Valley's 4 star offensive tackle Duke Commit [player_tooltip player_id='363121' first='Mason' last='Wade']. For those that are not aware Lux has become one of if not the top pass rusher in the state this season, including a ridiculous 5.5 sacks in their victory against Central Virginia. A true measuring stick of a matchup as [player_tooltip player_id='363121' first='Mason' last='Wade'] is one of the best and most technically sound lineman in the country and [player_tooltip player_id='853976' first='Tristan' last='Lux'] is a man amongst boys on the Patriots defense. <em><strong>Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='363121' first='Mason' last='Wade'], [player_tooltip player_id='740533' first='Cole' last='Kielhorn'], [player_tooltip player_id='853976' first='Tristan' last='Lux'], [player_tooltip player_id='354511' first='Domingo' last='Meade'], Matt Harper, Zion Trump</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->