WASHINGTON — As the fall chill descends upon us, the DMV Game of the Week returns for the playoffs. This week offers three rematches from the regular season, including bitter rivals playing for all the marbles. No matter which game takes the poll, we’re in for a good one this weekend.
There an epic rematch brewing in the Virginia 6A playoffs. Hylton (8-3) has lost three games this season, but all by six points or fewer, one in overtime. That six-point loss? A 48-42 barnburner against Freedom back in late September. No other team has kept within 27 points of the Eagles (11-0), who have outscored opponents by a combined 616-163 total this season. Whoever advances will face the Lake Braddock-Woodbridge winner for a spot in the Final Four.
In Maryland’s 4A bracket, Quince Orchard (10-1) has dispatched all comers since a one-point loss to Bullis, reeling off six blowouts over a seven-game win streak. The only close finish was a 38-29 home victory over rival Northwest (9-2), which the Jaguars led early before big plays and forced turnovers let the home side pull away. The Jaguars’ only other loss on the year came at the hands of WCAC power Good Counsel, and they’ll head to Gaithersburg with revenge and a shot at the Wise-Eleanor Roosevelt winner on the line.
Old rivals meet once again in the WCAC final, as Gonzaga (8-3) and St. John’s (8-2) match up with District Catholic school supremacy on the line. The Cadets won the regular season matchup 32-14 just two weeks ago, then squeezed past DeMatha for a second time with a 17-14 win in the league semis. The Eagles, meanwhile, exacted revenge from a 27-7 loss to Good Counsel with a 24-17 semifinal victory. Can they turn the table on their biggest rivals as well?
Vote in the poll below by 11:59 p.m. Thursday to decide which game we’ll cover this weekend.
UPDATE: We’ll see you at the WCAC Final on Saturday!
