VARSITY SCRIMMAGE PREVIEW - 3/12
Flint Hill Huskies at FLINT HILL
DIRECTIONS
Mid-Atlantic Conference
Class: N/A | Division: N/A | Total enrollment: 900
Website: www.flinthill.org
2003 record: 0-0 (0-0 District)
2002 record: 4-11 (0-6 District)
LaxPower 03/11/03: no rating - beginning of year
LaxPower '02 rating: 65.44 rating, 26th in MIL/MAC/WCAC/IND
- Coach: Mark St.Germain, 2nd year
VARSITY SCRIMMAGE PREVIEW - 3/14
Stone Bridge Bulldogs at STONE BRIDGE
DIRECTIONS
Dulles District, Region II
Class: AA | Division: N/A | Total enrollment: 1442
Website: users.adelphia.net/~gilmerlee
Website: www.loudoun.k12.va.us/schools/sbhs
2003 record: 0-0 (0-0 District)
2002 record: 10-3 (9-3 District)
LaxPower 03/13/03: no rating - beginning of year
LaxPower '02 rating: 78.52 rating, 6th in Virginia II-III-Indep AA
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 3/25
JEB Stuart Raiders at HOME
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National District
Class: AAA | Division: 5 | Total enrollment: 1427
Website: PTSA at myschoolonline.com
Website: www.fcps.edu/StuartHS/
2003 record: 0-2 (0-0 District)
2002 record: 0-10 (0-7 District)
LaxPower 03/24/03: 64.90 rating, rank not recorded
LaxPower '02 rating: 47.98 rating, 28th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Heindrick Booze, 2nd year
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 3/27
TC Williams Titans at TC WILLIAMS
DIRECTIONS
Patriot District
Class: AAA | Division: 6 | Total enrollment: 2009
Website: www.acps.k12.va.us/tcw/
2003 record: 2-0 (0-0 District)
2002 record: 2-11 (0-7 District)
LaxPower 03/26/03: 72.10 rating, rank not recorded
LaxPower '02 rating: 58.39 rating, 25th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Charlie Juris, 2nd year
- Outlook: The Titans begin their second year as a program hoping to improve on last year's mark under Coach Juris, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience in the sport.
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 4/4
Madison Warhawks at HOME
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Liberty District
Class: AAA | Division: 5 | Total enrollment: 1632
Website: www.fcps.edu/MadisonHS
2003 record: 2-0 (1-0 District)
2002 record: 7-7 (4-4 District)
LaxPower 03/31/03: 81.51 rating, 10th in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 79.78 rating, 10th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Chad McRae, 5th year
- Key Returning Players: Max McCool (MF, Sr.), Peter Swank (D, Sr.), Jamie Minkler (MF, Jr.), Luke Caldow (D, Sr.)
- Keep An Eye On: Andrew Mann (G, Jr.), Andrew Peacock (MF, So.), Tom Robins (A, Jr.)
- Outlook: The Warhawks' best game of the 2002 season may have been their last - a close playoff loss to eventual region runner-up Oakton. Swank and Caldow anchor the defense in front of Mann, who started in goal as a sophomore. McCool and Minkler are captains, along with Caldow, and both will play at Lynchburg next season. Without one superstar player for opposing defenses to focus on, the Warhawks should have more offensive balance.
- More: The Warhawks were 7-7 last year and look to contend in a tough Liberty District this season. Madison has a solid balance of veterans and young players: attack - 2 seniors and a sophomore; midfield - 2 seniors, 3 juniors and a sophomore; defense - 2 seniors and a junior. There are two captains playing midfield, and one each on attack and defense. Coach McRae said he expects Fairfax, Woodson and Langley to be among the top teams in the Liberty District this season.
- Quotes: "Our last game vs. Oakton was the best we played all season," said Coach McRae, "and set the tone for our off-season workouts."
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 4/10
McLean Highlanders at MCLEAN
DIRECTIONS
Liberty District
Class: AAA | Division: 5 | Total enrollment: 1526
Website: mcleanathleticboosters.org
Website: www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS
2003 record: 4-0 (0-0 District)
2002 record: 1-11 (0-7 District)
LaxPower 04/06/03: 80.26 rating, 14th in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 59.39 rating, 24th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: R.T. Agnew, 1st year
- Key Returning Players: Liso Neou (MF, Sr.), Andrew Leedom (A, Sr.), Robbie Triplett (A, So.), Tom Conley (D, Sr.), Zach Rosen (MF, Jr.)
- Keep An Eye On: Tyson Colaiani (MF, So.), Billy Haig (G, So.), Kyle May (MF, So.)
- Outlook: McLean's roster is filled with talented, if untested, underclassmen, so Coach Agnew will rely heavily on a core group of veterans who have several years of experience. Neou especially will be asked to provide leadership. The third-year varsity starter is fast and extremely tough in the midfield. Leedom, also in his third season as a starter, is an elusive player who will anchor McLean's attack. He is joined up front by Triplett, who started in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Conley is the rock of the Highlander defense, the unit that struggled the most last year, allowing more than 20 goals four times. Rosen adds intensity and toughness at midfield.
- More: After McLean won only a single game last season, the Highlanders' new head coach decided to wipe the slate clean and implement an entirely new system. Leading the charge will be a pair of seniors. Liso Neuo, a three-year varsity player in the midfield, will provide leadership. Andrew Leedom, a three-year starter on attack, will anchor the offense. Joining him is sophomore(?) attack Robbie Triplett, who is a second-year varsity starter. Zach Rosen, a junior midfielder, will be counted on for intensity and experience. Tom Conley, a senior defenseman, will anchor a rebuilding unit. McLean also has a quartet of sophomores looking to make an impact in their first varsity season. One of them is Billy Haig, who factors in the goaltending picture for the Highlanders this year.
- Quotes: "We are implementing a new coaching staff and a new offensive and defensive system this year," Coach Agnew said. "Our players are going to have to adjust to the new system, remain disciplined, and outhustle our opponents to achieve our objective."
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 4/23
Washington-Lee Generals at HOME
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National District
Class: AAA | Division: 5 | Total enrollment: 1482
Website: www.washlee.arlington.k12.va.us/
2003 record: 1-4 (1-1 District)
2002 record: 2-10 (2-5 District)
LaxPower 04/22/03: 61.44 rating, 28th in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 52.71 rating, 27th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Joel Rockwood, 4th year
- Key Returning Players: Devin Lilly (A/MF, Sr.), Alex Haseltine (A, Sr.), Nicolai Halstead (D, Sr.)
- Keep An Eye On: Joe Buescher (G, Jr.), Zach Duarte (A, So.), Peter Dahlstrom (D, Jr.), Mark van der Dois (MF, So.)
- Outlook: Washington-Lee won just twice last season, but dropped several close district contests. Lilly was the team's high scorer in 2002. Halstead anchors the defense and is a captain along with Haseltine and Lilly. Coach Rockwood has been impressed by the skills of Duarte.
- Quotes: "The Generals hope for a .500 season this year," wrote The Journal, "something that would give the team a shot at making the region tournament for the first time."
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 4/25
Lee Lancers at HOME
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Liberty District
Class: AAA | Division: 6 | Total enrollment: 1867
Website: www.fcps.edu/LeeHS
2003 record: 3-3 (0-1 District)
2002 record: 3-9 (1-6 District)
LaxPower 04/24/03: 72.87 rating, 23rd in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 64.05 rating, 23rd in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Grif Barhight, 2nd year
- Key Returning Players: Robert Spalding (A, Sr.), Jermain Bowman (A, Sr.)
- Keep An Eye On: John Almeda (D, Sr.)
- Outlook: Coach Barhight hopes his team will be better able to run with the best teams in the Liberty this year. Spalding, a team captain along with Almeda, is as quick as anyone in the region and will play at the Naval Academy next year. Spalding was second-team all-district last season at midfield.
- More: Lee was 3-9 last season in the competitive Liberty District. Returning this season are attack/midfielder Robert Spalding, midfielder Jermaine Bowman and midfielder Jon Cerva. "All three guys are returning starters who are going to be asked to take a lot of the offensive responsibility this year," said Coach Barhight. Senior John Almeide and sophomore Kevin Roberts will be counted on to lead the defense. With teams like Woodson, Fairfax and Langley to contend with, Coach Barhight is keeping realistic objectives for the season.
- Quotes: "Our goals this year are simple," he said. "We want to get better every day and succeed in our very competitive district."
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 4/29
Langley Saxons at LANGLEY
DIRECTIONS
Liberty District
Class: AAA | Division: 5 | Total enrollment: 1877
Website: www.fcps.edu/LangleyHS
2003 record: 4-2 (1-0 District)
2002 record: 10-4 (6-2 District)
LaxPower 04/27/03: 87.22 rating, 5th in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 84.43 rating, 5th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Earl Brewer, 9th year
- Key Returning Players: Thomas Davidson (MF, Sr.), Sterling Montague (D, Sr.), Ricky Hurley (D, Sr.)
- Keep An Eye On: Collin Weiss (D, Jr.), Jack Gerard (A, Sr.), Kevin Greavy (A, Jr.)
- Outlook: The Saxons will be a much more athletic team than they were last season, and last season, the Saxons were outstanding. Davidson and Montague (both all-district selections last year) and Hurley are tri-captains. Hurley, who will play football at Elon, has been a pleasant surprise, emerging as the enforcer that the team lacked a year ago. Weiss, a transfer from lacrosse powerhouse Landon, bolsters the defense.
- More: Last year, two-thirds of the Saxons' offense came from just two players, and both of them graduated. Senior Jack Gerald, who had 12 goals and eight assists last season, returns at attack. He is joined by fellow senior Robert Higginbotham and junior Kevin Grevey, who scored 10 goals last year despite missing much of the season due to injuries. Juniors Andrew Bailey, Jon-Michael Dreher and Tim Ocshsenslager showed spark in the preseason as well. There will be new faces as well, as Coach Brewer kept five freshmen on the varsity roster. The Saxons say they have their sights set on beating Woodson for the Liberty District title.
- Quotes: "This year's team will need to have a more balanced scoring," said Coach Brewer. "Early on, things seem to be headed in that direction."
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 5/3
Wakefield Warriors at WAKEFIELD
DIRECTIONS
National District
Class: AAA | Division: 5 | Total enrollment: 1586
Website: www.arlington.k12.va.us/schools/wakefield
2003 record: 1-6 (1-2 District)
2002 record: 1-11 (1-6 District)
LaxPower 04/31/03: 62.22 rating, 27th in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 53.65 rating, 26th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Chris Mulieri, 1st year
- Outlook: The Warriors hope to improve in the National District this season under the guidance of first-year coach, Chris Mulieri.
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 5/5
Woodson Cavaliers at WOODSON
DIRECTIONS
Liberty District
Class: AAA | Division: 5 | Total enrollment: 1820
Website: woodson.virtualave.net +
Website: www.fcps.edu/WTWoodsonHS
2003 record: 7-1 (4-0 District)
2002 record: 13-3 (8-0 District)
LaxPower 05/03/03: 95.59 rating, 2nd in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 94.05 rating, 2nd in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: John FitzGerald, 16th year
- Key Returning Players: Aaron Solomon (A, So.), Brian McCulloch (A, Sr.), Matt Clark (A, Jr.), Matt Morrell (MF, Sr.)
- Keep An Eye On: Pat Wolfe (MF, Sr.), Gabe Butler (D, Sr.), Brandon Fell (D, Sr.), Andrew Colangelo (D, Sr.), Warren Mayberry (G, Jr.)
- Outlook: McCulloch had 32 goals and 22 assists last season and teams with Solomon at attack. Solomon had 23 goals in his first varsity season. Butler and Fell are two of the top defenders in the region in front of Mayberry, who starts in goal for the first time. Morrell, Fell, Clark and the Solomon brothers (Aaron and Mike) all played for Woodson's Division 5 region runner-up football team in the fall, and FitzGerald believes that winning attitude can carry over. In the first game of the season, the Cavaliers beat last-year's nationally-ranked squad from Robinson.
- More: Well... Woodson hasn't lost a Liberty District regular season game since 1994. In 2003, the offensive responsibility falls to a trio of talented players on attack. Senior Brian McCulloch returns after scoring nearly 30 goals for Woodson last year. He's joined by junior Matt Clark and sophomore Aaron Solomon. The midfield features Matt Morrell and Pat Wolfe. On defense, seniors Gabe Butler, Brandon Fell, Andrew Colangelo and junior Warren Mayberry make up a formidable unit.
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 5/12
Fairfax Rebels at HOME
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Liberty District
Class: AAA | Division: 6 | Total enrollment: 1963
Website: www.faxlax.com (moved)
Website: www.fcps.edu/FairfaxHS
2003 record: 3-4 (1-3 District)
2002 record: 10-6 (6-3 District)
LaxPower 05/06/03: 81.21 rating, 12th in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 82.01 rating, 7th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Ryan Hilliard, 1st year
- Key Returning Players: Jeff Miller (D, Sr.), Nick Worek (MF, Sr.), Robert Burson (A, Jr.)
- Keep An Eye On: Milt Schultz (D, Sr.), Mike Neun (MF, Sr.), Damon Gowen (MF, Jr.), Chad Rusert (A, Jr.)
- Outlook: The Rebels have some noteworthy additions this year. Worek, a team captain who has committed to play at the Virginia Military Institute, returns after missing last season with an ACL injury. Miller, who will play at Marymount, is also a captain and spurs the defense. Burson contributed 13 goals and four assists at attack last year. Schultz and Gowen are also captains. Neun recorded five goals and nine assists in 2002 as a midfielder.
- More: "For the most part, leadership is on defense," said first-year head coach Ryan Hilliard, who replaces Marty Joyner this season. Miller, Schultz, Alex Britt and Chatham Timothy will see time on defense this year, in front of sophomore goalies Charlie Ives and Brian McKeon. Although their primary responsibility will be to keep opponents away from their young keepers, Fairfax's defensemen will also be counted on to provide offense this season.
- Quotes: "We will hopefully take some chances on defense with the senior leadership and try to create some goals in transition," said Coach Hilliard. "We don't have any seniors on attack."
- Quotes: "We played Woodson in the district final last year," Worek said. "With the defense the way it is this year, we might be able to give them a run."
VARSITY GAMEDAY PREVIEW - 5/17
Fairfax Rebels at FAIRFAX
DIRECTIONS
Liberty District
Class: AAA | Division: 6 | Total enrollment: 1963
Website: www.faxlax.com (moved)
Website: www.fcps.edu/FairfaxHS
2003 record: 7-4 (3-3 District)
2002 record: 10-6 (6-3 District)
LaxPower 05/14/03: 80.55 rating, 11th in Northern Region AAA
LaxPower '02 rating: 82.01 rating, 7th in Northern Region AAA
- Coach: Ryan Hilliard, 1st year
- Fairfax finished the regular season with a 7-4 record, closing with rain-makeup wins over both McLean (12-2) and Marshall (11-9). Fairfax travelled to play Maryland teams three times in 2003, losing once (to CM Wright) and winning a pair of games played on May 3 (over Chopticon and Great Mills).
- After winning a close match against the Statesmen in the final game of the regular season, the Rebels begin the playoffs with a re-match of that game, this time to be played at Fairfax. The Rebels' record against common Liberty District opponents is identical to Marshall's--both teams lost to Woodson, Langley and Madison; both teams beat Lee and McLean.
- The fourth-place finishers get to go to Regionals, so this first-round match-up is likely to be critical.
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2004 Burgess Allison on behalf of The G.C. Marshall Boosters Club. All Rights Reserved.
