With the season starting next week, I thought it would be a good time to unveil my take on a pre-season top 10 for VA Publics in Class 6. Based on what I’ve seen and heard about in off-season play from last Summer until early this Spring, I would have Riverside, Dominion and Freedom all in the upper half of the top ten if we did all classes, but with the modified schedules this year, the only challenge I expect any of them to see in the regular season is the Riverside vs Freedom game on May 14th, with the winner having an argument for the #1 overall team in the state. Other than that, they should combine for a regular season record of 26-1. So the real questions are likely to be in Class 6 and see if one of the big schools can emerge as the top dog as they all play each other.
So, it is with that in mind, and to create some debate and action in this forum, I am unveiling VALaxer's VA Publics Class 6 Pre-Season Top Ten:
1)
Langley - The last team to win the championship, Coach Morris still has talent that knows how to get it done, so they get the top spot. Unfortunately for Bucky, Caroline Bean is playing on the lacrosse fields of Ann Arbor and not McLean these days. Can they "repeat" the hard way?
Opener: 4/28 @Marshall
Other Key Games: 5/3@Oakton, 5/11 @W+L, 5/13 Herndon, 5/17 James Madison, 5/24 Woodson
2)
Madison - Gets the edge from being runner-up in 2019 and they have some ladies that are still hungry. Looked solid during indoor this winter, but faced their own share of losses from graduation in the last couple of years. Coach Counts will have them ready.
Opener: 4/28 South County
Other Key Games: 5/7@Oakton, 5/17@Langley, 5/26 Robinson
3) tie -
Robinson - Has picked up some young talent in the last few years, the question is if they will be ready. If so, Coach Prosser has a shot to get Robinson back on top.
Opener: 4/26 Chantilly
Other Key Games: 4/28 @ Oakton, 5/14@SoCo, 5/20@Woodson, 5/26@Madison, 5/28@West Springfield
3) tie. -
West Springfield - Started 4 freshmen in a state quarterfinal that was Langley's closest game in the state tournament in 2019. Those frosh are now upperclassmen and ready to lead based on how WS has looked in off-season play. Coach Puhlick picked up a Capital goalie to replace his platoon from 2019. If the Spartans can get out of a tough district, this could be their year.
Opener: 4/28 @South Lakes
Other Key Games: 5/6@SoCo, 5/14 Woodson, 5/26 West Potomac, 5/28@Robinson
5)
Woodson - Margaret Stephan is at Elon, but the Cavs still have Coach Lewis and a Gross sister in goal, and that makes them dangerous.
Opener: 4/26 Oakton
Other Key Games: 5/14 @West Springfield, 5/20 Robinson, 5/24@Langley, 6/3 SoCo
6)
West Potomac - the Wolverines have high numbers to draw on for depth, and have picked up a number of young players over the last couple years. If they put it all together, WestPo can get back to states.
Opener: 4/26 SoCo
Other Key Games: 5/26@West Springfield
7)
Herndon - A wildcard with a new coach this year (albeit one with success in the area as a player), but this was a team that only lost 1 regular season game in 2019 and has picked up some talent along the way since then to replace losses.
Opener: 4/28 Falls Church
Other Key Games: 5/13@Langley, 5/28@W+L
8)
Oakton - Saw this team play real well at times in the off-season, and not so well at others. Face a murderers row of a schedule the first two weeks, but don't sleep on them even if they start in the hole record-wise. This is a team that can get there in the end. If they win a majority of those early season matchups, watch out.
Opener: 4/26@Woodson
Other Key Games: 4/28 Robinson, 5/3 Langley, 5/7 Madison
9)
Washington and Liberty - seems to have been quiet on the off-season circuit, but they were a young, up-and-coming team 2 years ago. If they can carry that over, they are a team to watch.
Opener: 4/26 Edison
Other Key Games: 5/11 Langley, 5/28 Herndon
10)
South County - Another team finding their way with a new coach. A tough opening schedule for a newbie, but if they find their footing, expect them to compete.
Opener: 4/26@WestPo
Other Key Games: 4/28@Madison, 5/6 West Springfield, 5/14 Robinson, 6/3@Woodson
A few others of note who may surprise. I wouldn't be totally shocked to see some of these teams with some surprising wins this year:
Colonial Forge - we tend to forget about teams from outside of Nova, but they have numbers and experience and a path to the state tournament.
Battlefield – In the same boat as Colonial Forge, their opener against CF next week will make one of them a favorite for Region B and a path to states.
Justice - an undefeated appearance at Shamrock Shootout continues the narrative of an improving team from 2 years ago, don’t be surprised if they are competitive in the district.
South Lakes - Another team that showed well at the Shootout, don't sleep on them.
Yorktown - Mixed results in the off-season and I've heard they are young this year. Still could put it together and get some wins in a tough district.
How will they all end up at season's end? That's why they play the games.
Here's hoping to a good and healthy season for everyone where the play on the field, and not COVID, determines the outcome....
