High School Sports

Washington Post High School Sports Editor Jon DeNunzio was online Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the Fall 2005 All-Met selection and the latest news in high school sports.

Post Coverage:

High School Sports

High School Index: Stat Central

Football Leaders Across the Region

The Post Top 20 for Football

A transcript follows.

____________________

Jon DeNunzio: Hello high school sports fans, and welcome to the chat. We're coming out of the busiest (and some would say best) part of the prep sports calendar - football playoffs wrapping up, basketball and the other winter sports starting and oh yeah, in the Washington area, the All-Met section came out today.

We've also had some interesting high school stories in the paper lately. Today, Eli Saslow wrote about the "Film Festival" at Maryland I didn't know they did this till Eli told me about it a few weeks ago. We've also written about the lack of female Ads in high schools, the return of Iraq veteran Frank Peck to the Great Mills High basketball coaching staff, and O'Connell's budding swimming star, Kate Ziegler.

So there's plenty to talk about. Hit me with your questions on those stories, All-Met, final rankings (we published the final football Top 20 on Tuesday), basketball, team handball, whatever I'm ready.

A short note on All-Met questions. Traditionally in these chats, I get several questions asking "Why wasn't so-and-so picked?" I'll post them, but I probably won't answer them. There's simply no good way to explain decisions like that without making it sound like we think the player in question is not any good. And in almost every case like that, the player in question is VERY good. But The Post covers more than 250 schools, and making All-Met is hard. We take a lot of time considering who makes

Ok, let's get started

_______________________

Winchester Va: How can H.B. Banjoman be second team? He set the Va state all-time rushing record for yards in a season.

Jon DeNunzio: Well, like I said, a question like this is tough to answer without making it sound like HB Banjoman is not a good player. He obviously is. Going on stats alone (I think he had 2700 yards or so), Warren County's stud RB is one of the area's best. The All-Met selections also weigh schedule strength, talent level, team performance and play in "big" games ... and it's still very hard.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I would like to know how Dunbar High School is ranked below a team with 4 losses and one of it's only losses came to a team ranked #1 in the state of Ohio. Also, explain how the rankings are done Dunbar is the only team in Washington, DC with a consistant program and it does not get the respect it deserves in this area. It's ashame how they are treated the "WASHINGTON POST" it is a Washington TEAM

Jon DeNunzio: Ok, I'll try to hit a few of these points:

- The team with four losses is Good Counsel. Two of those losses came by a point to DeMatha, our No. 2 team. The other losses were to ranked teams (Georgetown Prep and Robinson). In the end, we thought Good Counsel was still a pretty good team. I think coaches who played the Falcons would agree with us.

- Yes, we're The Washington Post, but that does not mean we show favortism to teams inside the Washington city limits. We try to treat all schools in all jurisdictions the same way.

- Dunbar had a very good season, bouncing back from a loss to Coolidge to win the DCIAA title. But we think they're ranked about right.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What do you think about Vontae Davis? Do you think that people will compare him to his brother Vernon Davis?

Jon DeNunzio: Very good player. And yes, the comparisons will continue, although they play different positions.

(I'm gonna try to answer some quickly here and pick up the pace)

_______________________

Ellicott City, Md.: I can understand Aaron Maybin of Mt. Hebron not making first or second- team defense in football, but why did he not at least make honorable mention?

Jon DeNunzio: I'll post questions like these with little or no comment. I think Maybin -- one of the best players in the area, talent-wise -- was hurt for a good portion of the season. It's harder to make All-Met if you don't play a whole season.

_______________________

Oxon Hill, Md.: After looking at the all-met selection I would like to congratulate all of the player that were selected. Great job this season!!, But I don't understand the Linebacker selection process. Pat Lazear is a junior and not a state champion and Bani Gbadyu has played injured and doesn't have the stats or a championship this year. Yes both are great ball players, but I didn't think they should have been 1st team this season. Those two spots should have been linebackers from a championship team like your choices for the 2nd team. Those spots should have been filled by players like Mcleod for (Potomac) Higgins, Johnson or Little for (Gwynn Park) they all have better stat's and championships under their belts.

Jon DeNunzio: More comments on who should/shouldn't be All-Met ...

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Tom St. George, a Junior scored 22 goals and had 4 assists for O'Connell which competes in the WCAC against competetive teams such as DeMatha, Gonzaga and Carroll. 22 goals and 4 assists against tough teams is amazing! He is dangerous in front of a goal! He deserved higher recognition than Honorable Mention. Tom was First Team for the WCAC. Tom is a 2 time MVP for O'Connell and he has been all conference as a freshman, sophomore and a junior.

Jon DeNunzio: Soccer complaint ...

_______________________

Gainseville, Va.: Why is there an obvious bias to MD/DC and Catholic league schools in football?

There are only three players from VA in the 1st and second defensive teams. That is 3 out of 25.

How can a team like Oakton not be represented after shutting down the number 10 team in the USA High School poll (Landstown) in the state championship game? A team that was averaging 46 points a game. Do your reporters know how to cross the bridges over the Potomac?

Jon DeNunzio: I count at least six out of 26, plus the coach of the year, from Va. And I dispute the "bias" claims.

We try to pick the most qualified players, period. I don't think anyone wants a quota system, guaranteeing 10 Va. players and 10 Md. players every year.

Oakton's best player, Keith Payne, is on the first team. Their team performance has been recognized through our coverage throughout the fall, esp. in the postseason.

I take the 14th Street Bridge, by the way ...

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Jon, The Post's Field Hockey selections were right on the mark for NOVA. Moran, Mills, and Gericke were the best I saw and Barth, Cabe, and Novak were excellent 2nd team choices. When will the Spring '05 teams be linked to the permanent page?

Jon DeNunzio: Hey -- someone's happy with our picks! We always appreciate positive feedback.

Not sure about the Spring '05 teams, but I'll mention that to the web folks ...

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I don't understand why I didn't make All-Met. In my head, I am the most dominant athlete in the area, and I have pretty good stats against weak competition to back that up. Please explain.

(only to add some levity...)

Congrats to the kids who made All-Met. It's an honor.

Jon DeNunzio: I saw you play ... you're not good.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Comment - The special section was very well done today with the Fall All Met Teams. It is a great package.

Would you explain the process for All Met Team Selections? While I understand that there is never going to be a selection where everyone is happy but I did notice that the Virginia public schools appear to be rather over-represented in especially the second and honorable mention Girls Cross Country teams (the first team is a solid consensus choice).

I also notice the same pattern especially in the spring Girls Lacrosse second and Honorable Mention temas where the stronger conference (ISL, WCAC, IAAM) plyers get short changed and very marginal teams, especially from Fairfax County have girls named.

I am sure there is an explaination as the first teams are always the cream of the crop.

Thanks and again, a superb special section today!

washingtonpost.com: FALL 2005 ALL-MET

Jon DeNunzio: Start your question with praise and you'll almost certainly get an answer ... you could also offer me gifts. :)

Thanks for the kind words. And I am reminded that I have not given the standard "how we pick All-Mets" explanation:

We solicit nominations from coasches at every school in the Washington area, asking them to nominate players from their schools and other schools (in fact, we tell coaches we take the nominations more seriously if they take the time to nominate kids from other schools. Some coaches are great about this, and even submit a list of who'd they pick for All-Met if they were in our shoes. Those guys are great!).

We take the coaches' nominations into consideration along with our reporters' observations, raw talent, success on the field as an individual and a team, and try to weigh it all. And, as you said, we make subjective choices that never please everyone.

I'm not sure about the over-representation you see ... I try to keep regional "quotas" out of the equation -- we're just looking for the best candidates.

_______________________

Herndon, Va.: Just curious: Aside from the "local" colleges (I'll include VA and VA Tech and West Virginia), are there any major schools that have a "pipeline" in here for football or basketball prospects?

Jon DeNunzio: Not sure about a pipeline, but check out the work Penn State's football program has been doing down here lately. Three key players from this year's team are local (Tony Hunt, Deon Butler and Derrick Williams, pre-inujury) were all key players this fall. And there are more locals heading that way ...

_______________________

Wheaton, Md.: Why does The Post pretend that the very best HS football players only play offense or defense, but not both?

Jon DeNunzio: Not sure what you mean. Please explain.

_______________________

Happy Valley, Pa.: Heard anything about Bani Gbadyu switching from LSU to PSU?

Jon DeNunzio: Speaking of Penn State ...

And no, I can't confirm this rumor. Sorry.

_______________________

Montgomery Village, Md.: Good job Drew Gloster (Good Counsel), Ben Everett (Sherwood) and Chris McFarland (Riverdale Baptist). Three childhood friends that lives took them in different directions but each making an impact and headed to D1 schools.

Jon DeNunzio: That's cool. Thanks for posting.

_______________________

Upper Marlboro, Md.: Wondering how come Jada Daniels of Riverdale Baptist didn't make at least the second team all met in girls soccer? She is the schools all-time leading scorer and lead the team to two championships.

Jon DeNunzio: Another voice heard from ...

_______________________

NO Va: I guess they don't play girls soccer in Virginia. And Stone Bridge just waltzes into the AAA/5 State Championship (and almost wins it) without a QB worthy of an Honorable Mention. Seriously, I can see where a couple sports could be dominated by MD and DC, but across the board the overwhelming majority of All-Mets are from MD and DC. What gives?

Jon DeNunzio: If I'm reading this one right, I think some of your confusion stems from the fact that the All-Met soccer teams published today just recognize teams that play in the fall. Virginia public schools play in the spring, and we do a separate soccer All-Met team for those players in May.

Is it me, or do a lot of people in Virginia think we have a Maryland bias, and vice-versa?

_______________________

Ashburn, Va.: Understanding how tough is must be to rank players who don't even play each other, I still find it hard to believe that neigher QB Terrance Glenn and RB Shamar Knight Justice are even listed as MET honorable mention!

Jon DeNunzio: Tough choices. It's "Terence" Glenn, btw ...

_______________________

Gaithersburg, Md.: The all met selections about the sports I know were right on the money. Unrelated to All-Met, have you ever thought about doing a sports/style piece on High School spirit/fan support. I think the success of our girls volleyball team was enhanced by the incredible student turnout for all the games including something like 500 for the state championship. It might be fun to rate spirit.

Jon DeNunzio: Thanks very much.

Not a bad idea. I know Angela Watts has written some about the volleyball fans at Loudoun Valley ... they're nuts in the "Jungle", from what I hear.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: That article about Redskin Antonio Brown was stunning, and a must read for any sports fan -- or anyone else, frankly.

How often do you come across stories as heart wrenching as Brown's? High School sports can bring a community together, but I think few people are aware of the violence and poverty that affect some of the top young athletes in this area and across the area.

Jon DeNunzio: Agreed.

While that's a Redskins story, I have learned that high schools can produce great stories like that, too -- maybe more than colleges and pros.

One story that comes to mind from my world is Alan Goldenbach's piece from last winter on Trevon Jenifer, the wrestler with no legs at Huntingtown High. It was a great story.

_______________________

Springfield, Va.: Just out of curiosity.....If you guys used a formula similiar to the BCS system. Would your Top 4 teams still be the same? It's a shame that with the VHSL power points system how it discourages Virginia teams to put top teams from other jurisdictions on their schedules.

Jon DeNunzio: If we used a BCS formula, I'd quit. The BCS is a joke.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Every Day Is a Triumph For Redskins' Brown (Post, Dec. 14)

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: In todays high school sports article "Dreams Go From Reel to Reel," the writer noted that Northern Virginia and PG county hold similar events to the MD festival. Where can I get information from about these upcoming events? This would be really helpful to my seniors.

washingtonpost.com: Dreams Go From Reel to Real (Post, Dec. 14)

Jon DeNunzio: Eli Saslow is standing right next to me ... the Northern Virginia event is Dec. 17-18, but we're not sure where. We don't have much info on the PG event, but it is coming up before the end of the month.

If I were you, I'd contact the coaches who are in the state/regional coaches' association and ask ...

_______________________

McLean, Va.: Wow, Centreville suffered in the Top 20 for not making the playoffs with the questionable power ranking VA system. Wish there was a better way to get Centreville into the playoffs . . .

Jon DeNunzio: The power-point schemes various states use to determine playoff berths are imperfect, for sure (but still better than the BCS ... there should be an NCAA playoff, darnit!) ... Centreville was, in our opinion, as deserving of a playoff berth as sveral Virginia AAA teams that made it, but I respect that the system is there for a reason, and not everyone can get in the playoffs.

Is there a better system? Suggestions?

_______________________

Columbus, Ohio: I wish to commend The Post for the recognition of the Washington, D.C. Reps on the All-Met Team. Benn from Dunbar is one of the highest ranked recruits in the Nation.

Jon DeNunzio: Thanks, Columbus! Buckeyes-Irish should be a great bowl game, btw ...

_______________________

Upper Marlboro, Md.: I know there is one All-Met first team football player whose father received the same honor 35 years ago. Are you aware of any other 2nd generation honorees since the inception The Post's All-Met awards?

Jon DeNunzio: This might be from Karen Perrin, whose son, Marcus, is an All-Met from Douglass and whose husband, Ronnie, was an All-Met at McKinley and played in the NFL ... Not sure off the top of my head about other All-Met legacies ... maybe the readers know of some. Could be a neat story ...

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Can we talk about something other than all-Met selections? When does the first hoops ranking come out? I know it's still early in the season, but it's never too early to start complaining about rankings...

Jon DeNunzio: Sure!

The basketball rankings are out already. Caveat: They were published last week and do not reflect play over the past 7-10 days.

Complain away:

BOYS

1. Montrose Christian School

2.DeMatha High School

3.Eleanor Roosevelt High School

4.O'Connell High School

5.St. John's College High School

6.Potomac (Va.) High School

7.Herndon High School

8.Paul VI Catholic High School

9.Largo High School

10.Carroll High School

11.Friendly High School

12.Potomac (Md.) High School

13.Magruder High School

14.Suitland High School

15.Cardozo High School

16.Springbrook High School

17.Theodore Roosevelt High School

18.Madison High School

19.National Christian

20.South Lakes High School

GIRLS

1. Riverdale Baptist High School

2.Good Counsel High School

3.Parkdale High School

4.Bishop McNamara High School

5.Theodore Roosevelt High School

6.Edison High School

7.Forest Park High School

8.Eleanor Roosevelt High School

9.Gaithersburg High School

10.Oakton High School

11.Gwynn Park High School

12.St. John's College High School

13.West Springfield High School

14.Notre Dame Academy

15.Friendly High School

16.Thomas Johnson High School

17.H.D. Woodson High School

18.Damascus High School

19.Hylton High School

20.Potomac (Md.) High School

_______________________

re Post's biases: Everyone from MD thinks VA schools get too much recognition, DC schools think they never get enough recognition. Private schools think public schools get too much attention, and publics think privates are hyped.

It's the same as liberals/conservatives and the Post's bias. The Post is always grazing on the other side, but the grass is greener where I am...

Jon DeNunzio: That's how I see it, too ... that's not saying we don't make mistakes. But we try to be fair, we really do.

_______________________

Poolesville, Md.: In regards to rankings in volleyball, it does seem that The Post tends to slight some areas such as Montgomery County that traditionally do very well and field strong teams (county teams have won two state titles and had two state finalists in the last three years). Only one ranked team from MCPS in the final poll this year? Poolesville has been to the state tournament 4 straight years and only loses are to powerhouses Gaithersburg (won the state title, ranked #2) and Magruder (only loss was to Gburg, yet somehow also finished unranked) and Poolesville has never yet been ranked.

Jon DeNunzio: Posting this without comment ...

_______________________

Colombia, Md.: For coach of the year, was Dan Makosy of Damascus close in the selection?

Jon DeNunzio: Good question ... yes, he was a very strong candidate. As was Al Thomas of Sherwood, Joe Thompson of Oakton, and several other coaches.

_______________________

Maryland: I noticed that there are a lot of Schools ranked a head of Dunbar, Teams that refuse to play them in the regular season. Do you think those teams can beat Dunbar in a regular season game? The last locally ranked teams to play them were Suitland and DeMatha. Most of these ranked teams refuse to play them.

Jon DeNunzio: I don't know if that's the case. I do know that a lot of public schools in Md./Va. have all kinds of commitments that make it hard to schedule a ton of games ourtside their areas. I would lve to see Dunbar play Oakton, or Damascus, or DeMatha next year ...

_______________________

Clinton, Md.: I'm the mother of one of the first team All-Met honorees. I've asked in different circles and haven't gotten a clear answer on how the players are selected and who selects them. You've cleared up the selection criteria, can you tell me about the voting process? Who votes?

Jon DeNunzio: The Post staff has the final say. It's not a pure vote; more like a well-considered choice. If that makes any sense at all.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Volleyball? How do you have a girl like Kristen Dozier that is ranked nationally #60 per Prep Volleyball.com (Prep Volleyball is an acknowledge experts) and even higher by others in 2004 & 2005; not make your 1st team All-Met? She has already signed a full scholarship with "The Ohio State University" for volleyball; a perennial NCAA top 20 programs. In Prep Volleyball's 100 Senior Ace's "(National") there wasn't anyone else from Md, Wash.DC, De, Pa, NY, NJ, MA, RI, Conn, etc the entire NE mentioned except Kristen. (Prep Volleyball) top 100 senior aces ranked #60; and (Va.) Blair Brown is ranked #7 by Prep Volleyball; she will be attending Penn State. BTW the Big Ten is ranked as one of the top 3 NCAA Volleyball conferences in the nation; PAC10 & Big 12 or the other members of the top 3 elite Volleyball conferences. She is one of 2 girls from this area that accomplished this!!! She was offered more than 100 scholarships; every school in the Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, Big East, etc offered her; every top 25 school in the nation offered her!! Not sent letters but made firm scholarship offers. Just to name some of the schools that made these offers and official visits USC, Minnesota, Louisville, Ohio State University, University of Florida, Texas, Missouri, Arizona, Long Beach State, Nebraska, University of California; etc. She played with USA Volleyball this past summer with the YNA2 team. Her final 2 years -St Johns she finished with over 500 blocks and 800kills. In 2004 they won the WCAC championship; and graduated 7 seniors that were part of the 9 person rotation. This year they lost in the Semi's to Seton in a very closely contested match; Seton won the WCAC and the City Title; this year (2005) I don't understand how that could happen?

Jon DeNunzio: If anyone was curious about the passion All-Mets invoke, here's a sample. Again, it's hard to comment without making it sound like the player in question is not good. She obviously is. These are **very** tough choices.

_______________________

East End, Washington, D.C.: A more general sports question.

There have been a lot of new infrastructures built or promised in our area -- Maryland's field hockey/lacrosse complex, the Nationals stadium, Poplar Point, the new artificial turf stadium at American, the MCI Center. Are high-schoolers getting their fair share of use out of these?

Jon DeNunzio: Darn good question. Some of the things you mention aren't public facilities, so I'm not sure you can say h.s. teams are owed their "fair share." But I do know that D.C. public schools struggle every spring to find good places to play baseball, and the city may be spending a lot on a major league baseball stadium ... we'll have to see what happens...

_______________________

Laurel, Md: Hi, could explain why Patrick Mealy wasn't on the first team all-met. He had fewer carries than most above him but a had a 10.5 per carry average and 24 rushing tds not to mention his receiving yards and td's

Jon DeNunzio: I have pretty much avoided these explanations so far, and will continue to do so. Patrick was a very good candidate, though.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Has The Post considered excluding from All-Met selections any player who is failing academically?

Jon DeNunzio: Whoo, that would be hard. If the player is academically eligible to play for the entire season, that's usually good enough. How would we find out if his/her grades are going south? How could we be sure to apply the same standard to all schools?

_______________________

Luray, Va.: So whaddya think about Coach Gilbert and his bush move in handing Central a TD just to get Banjoman the rushing record?

Jon DeNunzio: Here's what Angela Watts wrote after the game referenced ... we report, you decide (sounds like a good slogan for a TV news outlet):

It's almost unheard of for a high school football coach to ask his defense to give up a 73-yard touchdown. It's equally rare that every member of that defense would be eager to do so.

That was the case Friday night at Central-Woodstock, when Warren County Coach Heath Gilbert asked his defense to yield a touchdown to Central. Warren County was leading, 28-7, with just over a minute remaining, and Gilbert wanted to get senior running back H.B. Banjoman back on the field.

Banjoman had entered the game needing to rush for 334 yards to become the Virginia High School League's all-time 10-game rushing leader. But with Central on offense in the closing seconds and Banjoman 34 yards shy of the mark, it appeared his chances were slipping.

That's when Gilbert formulated his plan.

"I went to the defense first because they had played hard all game, and asking them to give up a 73-yard touchdown was asking a lot," Gilbert said. "But every one of them said they wanted to do it. Our middle linebacker [Brandon Weaver] said he was already thinking it. The whole team wanted that record to be a part of our program's history."

So the Wildcats' defense let Brandon Pence score from 73 yards, and moments later Banjoman had his chance. On his 38th carry -- the last of his high school career -- Banjoman got the remaining yards he needed as time expired to surpass the 2,592-yard record set by West Springfield's Damone Boone a decade ago.

Banjoman finished the season with 2,608 yards and 37 touchdowns on 292 attempts.

"That last play I knew I needed 12 yards to get it, and once I got past that mark I just really couldn't believe it," Banjoman said. "When I got tackled I just laid there soaking it in for a minute. Then my whole team ran out to congratulate me. They earned this record as much as I did. It says more about Warren County than just me as an individual."

The unorthodox way in which the record was attained left a sour taste in the mouths of Central's players and coaches. The teams did not shake hands at game's end, and police officers were hurried onto the field to quell the verbal exchanges between players and prevent matters from escalating.

"I knew there would be ramifications for doing what we did," Gilbert said. "We upset some people, maybe even some of our own fans. It was a kind of bush-league thing to do, I guess. But I thought he deserved the opportunity. He still needed 34 yards, and it was his job to try and get them, and it was still their job to try and stop him. I don't have any regrets. I figure with all the work that he and our offensive line had put in this season, it was the least I could do."

_______________________

20171: With all due respect, it seems Oakton, even with two mid-season losses, should have been higher ranked. Did you count how many of the top 20 teams they played and beat, including another state finalist Stone Bridge? Anyone in MD do that?

Jon DeNunzio: It took me a while to find this question ... a not entirely unexpected one.

In our rankings, we consider a team's performance over the entire season. Damascus and Gwynn Park went 14-0 and won tough state championships in Maryland; DeMatha went 11-1 and won the WCAC -- traditionally the area's best league. Oakton lost twice. A great season and a really great championship game performance ... but how do you drop the other teams to make room for Oakton?

And those teams played strong schedules, too. Beating Sherwood and Quince Orchard twice is not easy. The Maryland 3A is always tough ... hard choices, but I think we got this one right.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I read with interest the story about recruiting football players via film festival. However, I was stunned to read that 6'5", 310-pound lineman need special help to be recruited. Are there really guys like that out there, with that kind of size and any kind of football experience at all, who aren't recruited by D1 programs?

Jon DeNunzio: In the recruiting game, there are always surprises like this. So many schools, so many players ... I imagine it's hard for college football coaches to ever feel like they have seen and considered all the best available talent ...

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: How come Manassas Park's Football team did not make the top 20 listing in the final Washington Post Poll after making it to the state championship game two (2) years in a row not to mention their unbeaten streak?

Jon DeNunzio: Another tough decision for us. We did name Manassas Park Coach Jeff Lloyd our coach of the year, in recognition of the great work he's done there ...

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Hey Jon: it seems like players in this area are getting more looks and offers from the big Div. I schools these days. Do you think this is because of better talent, better marketing being done by the high schools, or is the DC area now being recognized by the "name colleges" as a hot recruiting area close to on par with the traditional areas like Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and California because of recent success stories coming from our area?

Jon DeNunzio: We looked at this in the our football preview section ... D.C. is indeed becoming a hotbed for football recruiting. It's great ... but it makes picking the All-Met team even tougher! :)

_______________________

Clifton, Va.: Jon: it was a great year of HS football this year for the whole DC Metro area, wasn't it? Nice to have a few state champs in our area. Do you think that the realignment of conferences in Virginia AAA in our area helped Oakton win the state championship? They had to work through a very tough Concorde District, with four teams (Oakton, Robinson, Westfield, Centreville) beating each other up during the regular season and playoffs; even though we Robinson fans weren't too happy initially when the change was announced, it seems like that can only bode well for those four teams going into the Northern Region playoffs for years to come...

Jon DeNunzio: Good point ... playing that level of competition week in and week out surely didn't hurt the Cougars. But remember, Northern Virginia teams have been doing well in the AAA Division 6 playoffs for a long time now ...

_______________________

Burke, Va.: I wanted to know if you could tell me what the final score was at the Girls Hayfield vs. edison game. They played last night at Edison (Dec.14). Thank You,

A concerned fan!

Jon DeNunzio: You know, gotta wrap up here soon ... way over time.

But here's an easy one to answer:

Edison won, 82-26

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: only a comment: I love high school sports and The Post has the best area high school sports coverage of any major newspaper in the country!

Jon DeNunzio: And this is a good (and self-serving) way to go out ... thanks to all for the great questions and the kind words. See you online soon, I hope.

Jon

_______________________

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.