High School Football Preview

High School Sports

The Washington Post's High School Football preview features the top 20 teams and sports in the metropolitan area. Washington Post High School Sports Editor Jon DeNunzio explores key matchups, players to watch and talks about how technology is influencing the players and coaches.

He was online Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 4 p.m. ET to take your questions on high school football.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Jon DeNunzio: Hi folks. Welcome to the first high school sports chat of the 2004-05 school year. Sorry for the slightly late start; I was doing a final edit on the boys' soccer rankings.

I think today's primary topic will be football -- our preview section and Top 20 came out today, and the season kicks off for a lot of teams this weekend. But any and all high school sports questions are welcome. Let's go ...

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Denver, Colo.: Jon,
Long time Washingtonian now enjoying the Rockies (not the basball team), catch me up on the Catholic School League and if you think a team like Georgetown Prep could comptere very well in that league as I have heard rumors to the effect they might leave the IAC...
Thanks Tim

Jon DeNunzio: The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference has become a two- or three-team race in football in recent years, and frankly, DeMatha has positioned itself as the top team out of that group. Gonzaga, St. John's and Good Counsel are the others I'm thinking of. DeMatha is verrrry deep this season. But Good Counsel seems ready to move up a level, so it's not a one-team race.

Prep in the WCAC ... yeah, recent teams at Prep have been good enough to play there, certainly. Not sure if this season's team is as good, but we'll see. They have a great coach and great tradition.

The rumors you've heard may come from the talks IAC schools have had with the Baltimore-based MIAA. Some think several IAC teams may merge with the MIAA ... teams like Gilman and Mount St. Joe's.

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Springfield, Va.: Hi Jon,

How come Annandale opens the season with 4 away games and only 4 home games in a 10 game regular season? Talk about a tough schedule. Not only that they open the season playing at Westfield and at Centreville.

Jon DeNunzio: Hey, someone seems to have been reading page 7 of the preview section! Excellent.

Yes, Annandale has a tough schedule. I think it had to do with some tricky scheduling conflicts the Atoms encountered. Would like to know more, frankly. We'll see what we can find out ...

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Arlington Va: How do you think Gonzaga will do this season? They have that new artificial turf this year? That takes away a huge home field advantage of playing in dirt and dust from the 3rd week of the season on.

Jon DeNunzio: Ha ha ha ha ... very funny.

Gonzaga is a little green, so maybe not as good as they have been the last three seasons (they have been in the WCAC final three years in a row, winning in 2002). They are installing that new-fangled artifical stuff, but word is they've had some installation problems. BTW, Ireton got this turf last year and Wakefield will have it this year, too.

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Kensington, Md.: What are you hearing about Montgomery County installing foeld turf (like at Gonzaga and Ireton) at some of the schools?
Also, can Whitman be as good as last season and can Walter Johnson continue to improve on the football field?

Bring back the Washington Post HS Sports Show!!!

Jon DeNunzio: I have not heard much about Montgomery County getting the artificial stuff. The tough part for public schools has to be the initial cash outlay -- it ain't cheap. But once it's in, it supposedly cuts way down on maintenance costs and allows teams to play in the rain without fear of messing up the field for weeks thereafter.

You have to figure Whitman will have a hard time matching last year's 10-win season, but they still could be good. WJ ... hard to say.

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Bethesda, Md.: Not a football question, but since you're the editor. . . I've noticed in recent years a real diminution of girls sports in the Post's sports pages. I remember a time when the coverage was almost 50/50 and it's been nowhere near that in the past year or so. Even when a major article is about a girls' team, the photo is of a boys team featured in a lesser article. How will a market for girls' sports be built if they don't get equal coverage?

Jon DeNunzio: Glad to field questions like this. I don't think this is true, actually. When we cover football, yes, the page will look a little boys-sports-heavy. But we really make an effort to spread things around ... we always try to give readers a coverage mix that includes boys and girls sports, schools from close in to DC and farther out, high-profile sports and lower-profile sports. If you take any given month and log the coverage, I'd bet we come out pretty even.

There's another aspect to your question ... building a market for girls' sports. That isn't part of our job. We report on what's there. That said, in high school coverage, we try to give girls' sports a lot of ink.

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Anonymous: Will Dunbar High school repeat another title?

Jon DeNunzio: They've been the favorites for what, six straight years? They certainly have the talent to win the DCIAA again. Almost as interesting will be games against DeMatha and Gonzaga ...

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Annapolis, Md.: Can Broadneck high school return to the state finals.??

Can Annapolis high school regain there winning ways under new coach Brian Brown..?

Jon DeNunzio: That's a tall order, but the Bruins have some key players back. And if I remember correctly, their region is not the most challenging, so under the current state playoff format, they have a decent chance of getting to the state semis. After that, who knows?

Annapolis ... I don't know the answer there, but will be an interested observer. Their struggles last year were surprising ...

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McLean, Va.: Are my beloved Highlanders going to be respectable this season? McLean is excited about a new coach and system. They have some athletes. They scored 6 touchdowns in a scrimmage Saturday against a team from Richmond. Have you heard any buzz?

Jon DeNunzio: Buzz on McLean has not quite reached the offices yet, sadly. I like the fact new coach Rick Rivera is putting in a pass-heavy offense ... that's always fun (unless you're covering tehgame on a tight deadline).

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Frederick, Md.: Is there a reason that Maryland public schools (Montgomery, PG, Frederick counties) were not included in today's High Schools preview? And what have you heard about the California team that Linganore is opening up with on Sept. 3rd?

Thanks.

Jon DeNunzio: Subscribers in Maryland and D.C. should have gotten previews of Maryland/D.C. schools ... did you get Virginia previews? If so, please contact me at denunzioj(at)washpost.com ...

Also, I think our preview content for all areas is up on the web ...

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Washington, D.C.: I never put much clout in the Post's poll. It seems to me that you just try to include a diverse group of schools and conferences. What would you do if 3 or 4 WCAC teams all finished as beasts? It's happened in the past and it seems like the post refuses to put more than one 'Catholic' school in the top 5. Whats up with that?

washingtonpost.com: The Post's Top 20

Jon DeNunzio: I've done this job for four years, and stand by each of our rankings. I think it's a common thing for fans of teams in several leagues to say "Oh, The Post won't rank more than X teams from our area/league" as an excuse for a 7-3 season. Hey, 7-3 is good, but you have to be more than good to make a Top 20 that covers about 200 schools ...

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Alexandria, Va: As a DeMatha alum in the working world now, I love to see my Stags atop the preseason polls? However, I find it surprising a team like Gonzaga did not even make the poll. This makes one think that all the poll really does is compile as many teams from as many area's and conferences so to increase readers. If the best 5 teams in the area were all in one conference I find it hard to believe the Washington Post would acctually rank them 1 to 5, but rather pick 2 or 3 of them and sprinkle them through the top 20.
Your thoughts?
Thanks
Pat

Jon DeNunzio: Gonzaga's ranking doesn't have anything to do with a cap on ranked WCAC teams. We try to pick the teams we think are best, and while Gonzaga has some great players and coaches, right now we don't think they're among the area's 20 best. It's nothing more than that.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you think Dunbar can compete with the catholic schools ie DeMatha and Gonzaga? I played for Dunbar in the Mid 90's and we hung with them. And tell me this why are the so many schools from otuside of the area in the top 20. What is considered the Metro Area in terms of the poll?

Jon DeNunzio: It'll be interesting to see how the Crimson Tide stacks up. You're right, they hung with some WCAC teams in the mid-to-late 90s.

re: "so many schools from otuside of the area in the top 20" ... only teams in The Post's readership area are eligible. It's a big area, thankfully. This is most, if not all, the jurisdictions we include: DC, Montgomery, Howard, Frederick, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's, fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Culpeper ...

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Falls Church, Va.: What are your thoughts on the use of all the gadgets in game preparation? Given the time constraints, I would think most practice time is still on the field, not the classroom. This isn't the NFL where intensive film study is mandatory and scheduled into a long day.

washingtonpost.com: Just Keep Clicking

Jon DeNunzio: You're right, time is limited in high school sports. That's why some coaches really love tools like digital play analyzers ... it saves them time in preparation, and allows them to give players more position-specific information, quickly. Video/film sessions can be shorter, since the coaches can edit the tapes down so easily--or make tapes that kids can take home and watch.

The other side of the coin is there are many schools that can't afford some of the higher-end stuff. They have to be more creative to compete with programs that can spend thousands on gadgets like these ...

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Denver, Colo.: I went to Seneca Valley back in the early '80's. I belive that Terry Chang. has resigned. Who is the new coach?

Jon DeNunzio: Terry Changuris did resign, and Fred Kim -- formerly of Quince Orchard -- has taken over.

Interestingly, Chaguris is an assistant now at Sherwood, under Al Thomas -- the coach he replaced at Seneca Valley in the 80s ...

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Annapolis, Md.: Would you agree that Gonzaga vs Georgetown Prep is the game of the year already?

Jon DeNunzio: It'll be a hot ticket--great rivalry, haven't played since the 80s--but not the best pure game of the year. So many other good ones ... for instance, next week, the Maryland 4A champ (Damascus) plays the 3A champ (Linganore).

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Leesburg, Va.: What's your take on Mickey Thompson's Stone Bridge Bulldogs? They lost some pretty potent seniors from last year's state-qualifying team, and with Loudoun Valley's surprising dominance last season, do you think this is the Vikings' year? Did the Bullodgs lose too much?

Jon DeNunzio: That'sa tough call ... Thompson's teams are always good, but he does have a lot of rebuilding to do. Valley is the team that could take over the top spot in the Dulles ... if I were pressed, I'd choose Stone Bridge, but I'm not 100 percent sure.

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Longanville, Ga.: Who do think will be the Md. 3A champs this year and why? Frank from Ga.

Jon DeNunzio: I like this ... Frank wants an answer and a reason. I can't say one team is the definitive favorite, but one to watch is Lackey ... 3A runner-up last year, and they have a great running back back in Morgan Green.

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Crystal City, Va.: Hello Mr. DeNunzio!; A friend of mine, Joe Johnson, (formally of the Redskins) is coaching the football team at Bishop Carroll again this year. How well a team are they, and how about a future story?

Jon DeNunzio: Carroll may struggle a bit in the WCAC, but they started off right last weekend with a 49-0 win over Cardozo. You're right, Joe would be a good story. You ever think of going into newspapers?

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Columbia, Md.: Any team from Howard County do you see making some noise?

Jon DeNunzio: (crickets chirping)

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Lanham, Md.: Will Georgetown Prep continue to dominate the IAC?

Jon DeNunzio: The thing we heard a lot in the preseason is that Landon may be as good or better than Prep this fall. I think the Bears could be good, but better than Prep? I'll believe it when I see it (they play Oct. 8).

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ERHS alum: What do you think of Eleanor Roosevelt's football team this year? Can they compete with and beat some of the top Montgomery 4A teams this year? Lastly who would be your sleeper team for the 4A state title this year?

Jon DeNunzio: The Raiders lost some really great players on defense, but they'll still be one of the top 4A teams in the state. One HUGE reason: QB-DB Derrick Williams, considered by many to be the best prospect in the country. More on Derrick coming soon in the pages of The Post ...

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McLean, Va.: How do you think Hylton will fare this year after losing practically their whole defense to graduation last year. Do you still view them as the team to beat in PWC and in the Northwest Region? How will they fare on the state scene?

Jon DeNunzio: As many of you have seen, the preview section today included the number of returning starters on offense/defense for every area team. When I saw the numebrs for Hylton--6/0--I was stunned. You don't see high school teams lose all 11 starters very often.

So ... I think that puts a big question mark on Hylton to start the year. But they'll still be hard to beat in their district (the Cardinal). team to beat in the Northwestern Region ... tough to say. History, at least, is on their side.

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Falls Church, Va.: If you guys have done this recently, I've more than missed it -- but have you guys done a Where Are They Now? chart. Like the All-Mets that have gone on to the NFL or big time NCAA programs?

Jon DeNunzio: We haven't done that lately. I agree, that would be fun to see. You and Crystal City both have journalism potential ...

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Woodbridge, Va.: Whats the buzz on Woodbridge Vikings this season? How about those Hylton Bulldogs? I have to support both I graduated from Woodbridge and my wife graduated from Hylton. Thanks in advance for your insight.

Jon DeNunzio: I bet your wife wins any friendly wager you two might put down on the Vikings-Bulldogs games this year.

Speaking of which, how many people outside of Prince William County know that the schools in that county play a double round-robin football schedule? That means that Woodbridge, for instance, plays its Cardinal District opponents twice a year ... and then fills out its schedule with the four teams from the county's other district (The Cedar Run). I would think any football coach, player or fan who is serious about the game would prefer to see those teams schedule out-of-county games instead of playing rematches against district foes ... just my two cents.

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Silver Spring, Md.: How far south does the Washington Post go when considering teams for all-Met, etc?

Jon DeNunzio: Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania County. New school down there this year, btw -- Riverbend.

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Arlington, Va.: Why isn't there a DC Title game in football like there is in basketball? People aren't still upset about that riot between St. John's and Eastern back in the 60's are they? That's a game that should be played every year.

Jon DeNunzio: I'm not sure of the current rationale ... I know that the DCIAA likes having its title game on Thanksgiving, and that may be a factor in any potential negotiations. I agree, a City Title game in football between the DCIAA and WCAC champ would be a ton of fun ...

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Washington, D.C.: Any independent schools: sidwell, georgetown day, field, etc going to be doing anything worth seeing this season?

Jon DeNunzio: Of those three schools, only Sidwell has football ... they are usually competitive, always good in the MAC.

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Washington, D.C.: You mentioned "if there was a city championship game" that it would be between DeMatha and Dunbar. Any chance of promoting this? There used to be one right? With the WCAC champs squaring off against the DCIAA champs, like in basketball. That provides some of the best basketball in the season? What can be done to bring a football city title game?

Thanks for doing the chat
AMDG

Jon DeNunzio: I don't know that we can promote it ... but I can post your message and you can hope more people see there's interest.

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Bealeton, Va.: What do think Liberty's chances are to get to the state finals this year?

I'd like your thoughts on Liberty's Offensive line, being led by Junior Alex Stadler.

Thanks you.

Jon DeNunzio: Liberty ... lost a good player in AJ Brown, so I hesitate to endorse them as a state favorite. But they'll be good.

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Dulles, Va.: Is Evan Royster the little brother of Brandon and Kyle?

Jon DeNunzio: Yes, he is. A junior at Westfield now, and a good running back.

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New Orleans, La.: In Louisiana high schools play in 5 classifications based on size that disregards private or public. The playoffs are determined by power points and district titles with a feild of 64 playing into the 2nd week of december. I realize VA and MD publics do a variation of this but do you think there could ever be a MD, DC and VA version of this where Prep would play Springbrook or Senanca in a state playoff or Carroll vs. Robinson for a DC/No VA title???

Jon DeNunzio: The state associations in MD and VA would have to change their basic membership to include private schools. Some states do this, but not the two closest to us ...

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Reston, Va.: What does Damascus look like this year?

Jon DeNunzio: I hear it's beautiful this time of year.

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Silver Spring, Md.: It seems like Division 1-A colleges are swarming around the DC area. Is this an unusually busy year for clipboard holders and stopwatch carriers or is it just me? DC has long been a great place to recruit for hoops stars, but football has been pretty much DeMatha and that's it as far as big name signees.

Jon DeNunzio: I haven;t stopped to look at the exact numbers this year, but football recruiting generally seems to be up in this area in recent years. Lots of great players.

And, to the previous question ... seriously, I think Damascus's football team will be formidable. RB Matt Reidy was so good last year down the stretch and is a senior now, and a ton of other great players are back. That's why we ranked 'em No. 2.

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Jon DeNunzio: Wow ... lots of questions today. I need to wrap up, and I'm sorry I couldn't get to all of them. Enjoy the season, and hopefully we'll chat again soon! Thanks for checking in ...

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