What I am seeing and hearing before week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is my favorite time of the year, the anticipation for more football is upon us and kids are back in school. How you don't consider this a win-win between this week to Labor Day that is beyond me! Anyhow I wanted to share a few thoughts on a few of the scrimmages I attend and what I am hearing through Northern Virginia. We are less than a week away from our first live action, can't wait!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gar Field returns 8 starters on defense that come this fall I expect to be amongst the best in the state. Erick Nelson, Samuel Barlay and Warren Quack Freeman look like FBS prospects and [player_tooltip player_id='1700193' first='Francis' last='Amponsah'] has a chance for all region honors. Add in underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='1693526' first='Jemeir' last='Cox'], [player_tooltip player_id='1693524' first='Kanoa' last='Tuck'], Noah Clairborne and Potomac Senior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2048798' first='Lee' last='Jones'] no reason that the Red Wolves should be thinking shutouts each week!<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I caught the first half of Madison scrimmage with Patriot and the Warhawks appeared to be in control. Reason I am pointing this out is the last couple of years it seems that Coach Counts squad got off to slow starts. Previously scrimmaging Battlefield, the past two years it seemed the Bobcats were in firm control. Yesterday I saw a Madison team go up and down the field against a Patriot team that for sure will be in the district title mix again. Maybe this was an emphasis for them in the off-season or maybe they are ready to finally bring him the Class 6 gold?<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This was not to meant to be a knock-on Patriot, I thought sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1788531' first='Anthony' last='Mallory'] looked good. He is bigger and stronger from his freshman year, he will need new playmakers to step up as the Pioneers graduated a lot on the outside.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Really like what I saw out from Osbourn's two scrimmages and perhaps Coach Mesa's dark horse in the Cedar Run district has some validity? Zair Joseph, [player_tooltip player_id='1313464' first='Tyree' last='Summers'] and Reggie Rodriguez should all be playmakers that newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='1275050' first='Jonah' last='Howells'] will have no trouble finding.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After reaching the Class 6 state finals, North Stafford was hammered by both the graduation and transfer bug this offseason. The expectations may not be high for the Wolverines but do not sleep on quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2203007' first='Steven' last='Belk']. He has waited his time behind longtime starter Chase Sullivan, I would bet he succeeds under center. Young man crushed it at the Prep Redzone Spring showcase competing against elite quarterbacks all over Virginia, I think Belk will be ready!<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In year two for Saint James and Loudoun Sports Academy both squads already seem to be taking flight. The Strivers appeared to rough up Good Counsel yesterday and LSA seemed to have their way with Stone Bridge. Really impressive what both coaching staffs have been able to pull off in such short time.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>&nbsp;Watched the first half of South County's action against Westfield and the Stallions have a loaded roster. Topflight talent in each class including sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1664452' first='Chaz' last='Samuel'] who caught everything at the Skyline Cup, hauled in a couple of tds against the Bulldogs. Late addition transfer from Texas Jaylin Evans comes into the fold the rising senior already has multiple offers. More than enough talent on this South County squad if they do not make a deep playoff run, I'll be surprised.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->