I love to break down JD teams in many sports, and football may be my favorite. In the past, it’s always been Western or Monticello, but Powhatan destroyed both teams last year, unexpectedly. Watching what happened in week 1, let’s break down what might happen this year…

  1. Louisa is overrated:

Louisa started out this year as a top 25 team in 4A. They did start out hosting number 10 Sherando (and got pummeled 35-7) and had to play at a top 15 team in Courtland (got killed 50-24) but that is no excuse to starting out 1-3 for a team this talented. After dropping those two, the lions regrouped and beat a weak King George team 36-26, then lost at unranked Albemarle 19-14. There is still time for the lions, but being top 25 preseason and now 1-3, that is very concerning for Lions fans.

2. Western Albemarle is very good….again:

Western has always been good. They made it to states last year with a come from behind victory over Waynsboro. They started out the year ranked number 3 in 3A. After a fourteen point loss to Brookville (not a bad loss), the warriors stumbled to number 10, but rebounded by hammering (12) Monticello 28-7 on the Mustangs field. That is an impressive feat. I’m not saying they’re going to win the District (yet) but it seems very probable.

3. DO NOT count out Charlottesville:

A 4-7 record last year was bad for the Black Knights. Now, in their fourth game, already have 3/4 of the victories they had last year. Their one loss is a good one, a defensive bout at ranked Dominion, where they lost by six, 12-6. Since then, they pummeled a 2-0 Harrisonburg squad 28-6,  hammered William Monroe in Stanardsville, 38-12, then stomped on Fluvanna, 33-12. The Knights are unfortunately not in the 4A top 25 (yet) but with a looming game at home against their rival Monticello, the Knights could grab a huge win this Friday.