HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

It's that time of year again everybody. Football season. American's passion returns to bring joy to our weekends and ruin plans for girlfriends and wives all over the country. Today I'll start with my High School preview for the Washington, DC metropolitan area (excluding Virginia).

DCIAA
Per Capita, the DC public schools can compete with any jurisdiction in the country in terms of talent the season. This year's crop is lead by Arrelious Benn of Dunbar and Marvin Austin, formerly of Coolidge, and now at Ballou. While Dunbar is a school you expect to see in the Turkey Bowl every year, Ballou may not be. Expect it this year because along with Austin comes two other top prospecs in Lamar Milstead and Romale Tucker to Ballou. Who wins you ask? With Nathan Bussey at qb and one of the most dynamic athletes in the country in Benn, Dunbar will repeat.Arrelious Benn pictured

Maryland 1A
Reclassification in PG County has the folks in the mountains and on the shore running and hiding (we'll expound on this more in the 2A preview as well). Forestville takes its place back in the ranks of 1A. Led by Devonte Campbell, Forestville will be hell to deal with. Expect a strong challenge from Alleghany and Fort Hill from the mountains, but the Knights will be on top of the 1A heap.Devonte Campbell pictured


Maryland 2A
Here's the real reason why our folks in mountains on on the shore are conceding the season over reclassification in PG county. FREDERICK DOUGLASS. The Eagles, who were a 4A semifinalist have been pushed down to 2A because the opening of a new school. Douglass will be tough, but, they lost damn near anybody worth their weight in gold at every skill position. The state is worried about the wrong school from PG. Potomac repeats and is feeling disrespected because Douglass is now 2A. You shouldn't anger a Wolverine. 3-peat for Potomac. Challenge from Douglass and Hereford.

Maryland 3A
Last year when I did the preview I wrote about how Gwynn Park may have been the most talented public school team I'd ever seen in Maryland. Although, I don't think they played to their potential, they still won the State Championship. This year we have the Friendly Patriots which has even more talent. The Haden Brothers, Joe and Josh, lead a talented group of skilled players, which will be hell for any team to defend. Look for Friendly to put up big numbers on their way to the title. Do not forget about Gwynn Park and the 3A West (Urbana, Linganore, Seneca Valley). Joe Haden pictured

Maryland 4A
I saw it with my own eyes. The only offense in the State last season that was better than Douglass' defense resides in Montgomery County. Senior QB Deontay Twyman and the Sherwood Warriors brings their high octane attack back to terrorize MoCo 4A league for another year. Defending champ, Damascus, will give them a serious challenge, but I don't expect the Hornets to repeat. CH Flowers in PG will be a tough state semifinal opponent for either team.

WCAC
Good Counsel is there and St. Johns is much-improved, but don't bet against DeMatha. That would be silly. There aren't many schools around the country that can boast about the talent that DeMatha produces. The Stags dominance over the WCAC continues.