Sideline Report This Week in High School Football

Thursday, August 28, 2008

· No. 10 West Springfield At No. 5 Stone Bridge 7:30 p.m. tomorrow

Entering the preseason, tomorrow night's matchup between No. 5 Stone Bridge and No. 10 West Springfield was billed as two of the top quarterbacks in the area facing off as their fathers -- and coaches -- walked the sideline.

That might not be the case when the Bulldogs host the Spartans, as Stone Bridge quarterback Patrick Thompson suffered an injury to his throwing hand.

But whether Thompson is behind center or not, the expectations for a high-scoring affair haven't been dampened much.

"We feel like we're better than any one person, and we feel like we can overcome whatever adversity we face," Bulldogs Coach Mickey Thompson said. "We really don't have an exact time on when we're going to get Patrick back. It could be a lot faster or slower than people think. [But] we've got guys who think this is for a reason so they can step up and fill in and get playing time and show what they can do."

Last season, the two teams put on an offensive show, with Stone Bridge falling behind 17-0 in the first half before rebounding with 42 unanswered points to pull away for a 56-36 win.

With Thompson probably out at quarterback (he is expected to play linebacker with a splint on his hand if he can't go on offense), senior running back Daniel Allen can expect a bigger workload.

On defense, the Bulldogs will face a Spartans team led by a more seasoned Bryn Renner. Renner, who will play for the University of North Carolina next year, threw for 2,677 yards last season as a junior and was invited to the prestigious Elite 11 prep quarterback camp this summer.

And although the Bulldogs return one of the top defensive fronts in the area, a showdown with Brenner will be an immediate test for an inexperienced secondary.

"I think this is the deepest we've ever been in the secondary," Mickey Thompson said. "Now, the top-level play is a question mark, but as far as good, solid players, we've got more than we've ever had. We just need guys to step up."

If they don't, the Bulldogs' state title defense could be off to a rough start.

OTHER GAMES TO WATCH

· Millbrook at Briar Woods 7:30 p.m. tomorrow

When the Falcons and Pioneers square off in tomorrow's season opener in Ashburn, it will be the third time they have faced off in 12 months. Last season's two meetings, however, were stark contrasts. Briar Woods hammered Millbrook 40-14 in week two, relying on a rushing attack that exploded for 230 yards on 35 carries and three touchdowns. But in their regional playoff rematch, the Pioneers kept the Falcons' offense in check, scoring late to capture a 27-24 victory. With the Falcons breaking in junior quarterback Austin Fratelli, another heavy dose of the ground game is expected. Senior running back J.T. Bailey can go inside and outside, and junior fullback Billy McDonald, who accounted for all four Falcons rushing touchdowns against Millbrook last season, likes to pound it in from close range.

· Broad Run at Wakefield 7:30 p.m. today

In Broad Run, the Wakefield Warriors see a model of a program they aspire to emulate: an experienced, hard-nosed group whose players know how to win football games. Unfortunately for second-year coach Keith Powell, the Warriors aren't quite there. The Spartans should roll behind their quick, powerful running game while senior quarterback Chris Jessop gets settled in as the full-time starter.

ALSO TOMORROW

· Dominion vs. Washington-Lee, 7:30 p.m.

· Freedom-South Riding vs. Broadway, 7:30 p.m.

· Heritage at South Lakes, 7:30 p.m.

· Loudoun County at Musselman (W.Va.), 7 p.m.

· Park View at Herndon, 7:30 p.m.

· Potomac Falls vs. Martinsburg (W.Va.), 7:30 p.m.

· Liberty at Kettle Run, 7 p.m.

-- PAUL TENORIO and MATT BROOKS