But top teams correct issues quickly, and that’s exactly what the Falcons did. So, after four weeks with Freedom (Woodbridge) at No. 1, Good Counsel’s five-week stretch, culminating in a 28-7 win over St. John’s — the most impressive local win for any program thus far — puts the Falcons back where they started the season: at the top. In the WCAC, though, they’ll have little room to rest on their laurels. This week, they’ll take on an equally taxing test, with a home game against No. 3 DeMatha set for Friday evening.
“We’ve got another battle next week,” senior quarterback Frankie Weaver said following Saturday’s win. “Just got to keep building on this one, and hopefully run the table.”
Good Counsel-DeMatha is one of several anticipated matchups this week. C.H. Flowers and Wise, consistent rivals and powers out of Prince George’s County, will participate in their annual rivalry game Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Upper Marlboro.
Elsewhere in the rankings, No. 8 Madison saved off an upset bid from unranked Westfield, notching 14 points in the final five minutes with quarterback Cael Yates tossing the game-winning 40-yard touchdown to his brother, Cord Yates, for the 28-24 win.
The rest of the public schools in the rankings picked up wins, except for Damascus, which fell out of the Top 20 after a loss to Sherwood. Patuxent, a power from Southern Maryland, makes its debut at No. 20.
The Falcons ran it up against No. 5 St. John’s at the onset of WCAC upper-division play, besting the Cadets, 28-7.
Last ranked: 2; Next: Friday vs. No. 3 DeMatha, 7 p.m.
2
Freedom (Woodbridge) (5-0)
The Eagles fell from their perch at No. 1, though not from a lackluster performance at Colgan, where they won, 66-0.
LR: 1; Next: Friday at Woodbridge, 7 p.m.
The Stags contained No. 10 Gonzaga’s offense, churning out a 14-7 win.
LR: 3; Next: Friday at No. 1 Good Counsel, 7 p.m.
Though the elements are there for another WCAC title, the Cadets fell to top-ranked Good Counsel with their starting quarterback out.
LR: 4; Next: Saturday vs. No. 15 Bishop McNamara, 1 p.m.
The Cougars have handled the front end of their schedule just fine, rolling to a 28-0 win on Friday.
LR: 6; Next: Friday at Richard Montgomery, 6:30 p.m.
The marquee Prince George’s County matchup is up next week: the Jaguars at No. 9 Wise.
LR: 7; Next: Friday at No. 9 Wise, 4:30 p.m.
The demanding Concorde District looks set to run through Vienna again after the Warhawks edged Westfield, 28-24.
LR: 8; Next: Oct. 20 vs. South Lakes, 7 p.m.
The Pumas enter this week’s game against No. 7 C.H. Flowers as winners of five straight.
LR: 10; Next: Friday vs. No. 7 C.H. Flowers, 4:30 p.m.
The Eagles have a bye week to work out some kinks after a narrow loss to No. 3 DeMatha.
LR: 9; Next: Oct. 21 at Bishop McNamara, 1 p.m.
11
Friendship Collegiate (5-2)
The Knights got back on track after an overtime loss to Gonzaga, besting Armstrong/Kennedy, 33-16.
LR: 11; Next: Oct. 20 vs. St. Michael the Archangel, 6 p.m.
The Jaguars got off to a hot start and never looked back in a 28-13 win over Paint Branch.
LR: 12; Next: Thursday at Churchill, 6:30 p.m.
The Eagles defense posted another stellar week, rolling to a 28-6 victory over St. Charles.
LR: 13; Next: Friday at Lackey, 7 p.m.
The Prince William County heavyweight comes off its bye week with a scrappy Gainesville squad awaiting.
LR: 14; Next: Friday at Gainesville, 7 p.m.
Though the Mustangs enter WCAC play undefeated, they’re still underdogs in the upper division.
LR: 15; Next: Saturday at No. 5 St. John’s, 1 p.m.
The Little Hoyas held their own against undefeated Benedictine (Richmond) but came up just short in a 21-19 defeat.
LR: 16; Next: Saturday at St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, 2 p.m.
The defending Interstate Athletic Conference champions handled St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, cruising to a 34-9 win.
LR: 18; Next: Saturday vs. Landon, 2 p.m.
After a 14-0 victory over Loudoun Valley, the Huskies remain undefeated.
LR: 19; Next: Friday at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
The Seahawks won just four games last year. This season, they’re eyeing a deep postseason run.
LR: 20; Next: Friday vs. Oakton, 7 p.m.
After a state semifinal run last year, the unbeaten Panthers make their first appearance in this year’s rankings.
LR: Not ranked; Next: Saturday vs. Northern, 7 p.m.
On the bubble: Churchill, Lake Braddock, Maret, South County, Walter Johnson
Dropped out: No. 17 Damascus