Opening Drive: Week 1
By Carl Lukat
The 2008 football season kicks off this week with nine of Loudoun's 10 teams in action. Here's a look at each of the games.
Broad Run at Wakefield
When: Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: Broad Run, 48-14
Quick glance: Broad Run ran away with the victory in the 2007 season opener between the teams. The Spartans went on to capture the Dulles District title and set a school record for wins in a season with 10. Wakefield improved as the season progressed, winning twice and losing several games by small margins.
Loudoun County at Musselman
When: Aug. 29, 7 p.m.
Last season: Musselman, 21-7
Quick glance: County travels to Inwood, W.Va., with 14 starters back from 2007. The Raiders built momentum late last season, snapping the program's 18-game winless streak with victories in two of their final three games.
West Springfield at Stone Bridge
When: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: Stone Bridge, 56-36
Quick glance: Stone Bridge has four seniors committed to Division I colleges -- OL/DL Ed Wang (Virginia Tech), DL Brian Slay (N.C. State), DL Zach Thompson (Wake Forest) and LB Mike Olson (Wake Forest). West Springfield has a special talent of its own in senior Bryn Renner, a pro-style QB headed to North Carolina. Renner passed for 2,749 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for an additional 10 scores in 2007.
Millbrook at Briar Woods
When: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: Briar Woods, 40-14 (regular season); Millbrook, 27-24 (playoffs)
Quick glance: Both teams should be sky high for this one as they square off for the third time in less than a year. Briar Woods qualified for the 2007 playoffs in just its second varsity season. Millbrook produced an eight-game winning streak in 2007 and finished at 10-3. Briar Woods returns 18 starters from last year's 7-4 squad.
Martinsburg at Potomac Falls
When: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: Potomac Falls won by forfeit
Quick glance: Martinsburg (W.Va.) defeated Potomac Falls 34-6 on the field last season but was forced to forfeit due to having an ineligible player on its roster. The Panthers will look to even the score on the field this time with a high-powered passing attack leading their charge.
Heritage at South Lakes
When: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: South Lakes, 12-7
Quick glance: Heritage entered last year's meeting with its top two QBs injured -- leaving RB Ross Madison to man the position. Madison, who rushed for 144 yards and a TD in that game, returns to his normal spot for this one. The Pride are anxious to start strong after a slow, injury-riddled beginning in 2007 cost them a playoff berth.
Park View at Herndon
When: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: Park View, 37-7
Quick glance: The Group AA Patriots have dominated the last two meetings against the AAA Hornets, winning by a combined 58-7. Herndon won its final three home games in 2007, including wins over Robinson and Oakton. Park View has won nine of its last 11 road games.
Washington-Lee at Dominion
When: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: Dominion, 27-7
Quick glance: Karl Buckwalter, better known as “Coach Buck” by his players, makes his coaching debut at Dominion after successful stints at McLean and Colonial Forge. Buckwalter wants to utilize more players on offense to keep the focus off super sophomore RB Deandre Reaves.
Broadway at Freedom
When: Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Last season: Broadway, 28-6
Quick glance: Freedom is excited to begin a new season after going winless in 2007. Eagles' coach Tom McIntyre referred to 2007 as character building and feels better days are ahead. Freedom returns six starters on offense and seven on defense.