WASHINGTON POST: For years, fans in the D.C. area have clamored for a matchup between the area’s top public and private schools.
With DeMatha and Freedom (Woodbridge) taking care of their business this past week, local crowds will finally get what they wish for with the No. 1 Stags taking on the No. 3 Eagles, the top public school in our rankings, at 7 p.m. Friday in Woodbridge.
The area got an early dose of cross-state matchups in the second week of the season, which largely defined the shuffled rankings this week. On Saturday, No. 5 Quince Orchard escorted South County out of the Top 20 with a 33-0 shellacking. After a loss to Norfolk’s Maury on Friday, No. 12 Wise drops several spots. With a trip to California, Friendship Collegiate had the toughest test of any D.C. program as it faced one of the nation’s top-ranked teams, St. John Bosco — and held its own for a quarter, trailing 7-6, in an eventual 48-12 loss.
Perhaps the week’s most surprising result came from Stone Bridge. The Bulldogs, long considered Northern Virginia’s most consistent program, took a rare spill out of the rankings with a loss to Martinsburg (W.Va). St. Mary’s (Annapolis) also fell out after its first loss since 2021, making way for three public schools (Paint Branch, Fairfax and Westfield) to join the rankings.
Elsewhere, Good Counsel and St. John’s stay put with bounce-back weeks.
1. DeMatha (2-0)
The Stags showed no signs of regression from the season opener while dismantling St. Michael the Archangel, 48-7.
Last ranked: 1; Next: Friday at No. 3 Freedom (Woodbridge), 7 p.m.
2. Archbishop Spalding (2-0)
The Cavaliers handled yet another feisty test, holding off a late push to beat Concordia Prep, 32-31.
LR: 2; Next: Saturday at Imhotep Charter (Pa.), 2 p.m.
3. Freedom (Woodbridge) (2-0)
The Eagles staved off a second-half comeback by Varina in their closest game (an eight-point win) since 2021.
LR: 3; Next: Friday vs. No. 1 DeMatha, 7 p.m.
4. Good Counsel (1-1)
The Falcons’ star-powered senior class bounced back against mighty Jones (Fla.) with a 40-14 victory.
LR: 4; Next: Friday vs. Life Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
5. Quince Orchard (1-0)
An out-of-state season opener proved to be no issue for the Cougars, who throttled South County, 33-0.
LR: 5; Next: Friday vs. Gaithersburg, 6:30 p.m.
6. St. John’s (1-1)
The Cadets picked up their first win of the season against Theodore Roosevelt with a 37-0 drubbing.
LR: 6; Next: Saturday at Erasmus Hall (N.Y.), noon
7. C.H. Flowers (1-0)
The Jaguars blanked Portsmouth’s Norcom, 41-0, and will begin their Prince George’s County schedule this week.
LR: 7; Next: Friday vs. Oxon Hill, 7 p.m.
8. Madison (2-0)
The Warhawks’ defense held Lake Braddock scoreless in the second half of Thursday’s 31-7 victory.
LR: 8; Next: Friday vs. Robinson, 7 p.m.
9. Gonzaga (2-0)
The Eagles’ defense has allowed just seven points in the first two weeks.
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LR: 11; Next: Friday at Fordham Prep (N.Y.), 7 p.m.
10. Damascus (1-0)
The Hornets handled their business in the season opener. A compelling matchup against Northwest awaits.
LR: 12; Next: Friday at No. 15 Northwest, 6:30 p.m.
11. Friendship Collegiate (1-1)
The Knights suffered a 48-12 loss against one of the nation’s top teams, St. John Bosco (Calif.).
LR: 10; Next: Friday at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.
12. Wise (0-1)
The Pumas were shut out in the second half of Friday’s 34-14 loss to Virginia powerhouse Maury.
LR: 9; Next: Friday vs. Eleanor Roosevelt, 7 p.m.
13. North Point (1-0)
The Eagles beat Leonardtown, 41-0, to kick off the season.
LR: 14; Next: Friday vs. La Plata, 7 p.m.
14. Episcopal (0-0)
After a handful of scrimmages, the defending Interstate Athletic Conference champion finally begins its season Saturday.
LR: 17; Next: Saturday vs. St. Michael the Archangel, 2 p.m.
15. Northwest (1-0)
The Jaguars roared to a 47-0 win over Watkins Mill to start the year.
LR: 18; Next: Friday vs. No. 10 Damascus, 6:30 p.m.
16. Battlefield (2-0)
The Bobcats’ blazing start continued with a 56-14 trouncing of Potomac (Va.).
LR: 19; Next: Friday at Gar-Field, 7 p.m.
17. Rock Creek Christian (1-1)
The Eagles became the second local program to get pummeled by St. Edward (Ohio).
LR: 13; Next: Friday at Lowndes (Ga.), 8 p.m.
18. Paint Branch (1-0)
The Panthers join the rankings after an 84-0 victory over Northwood.
LR: Not ranked; Next: Friday at Sherwood, 6:30 p.m.
19. Fairfax (2-0)
The Lions aim for another deep postseason run this year behind Georgia commit Kris Jones, who returned an interception for a touchdown and added a rushing score in a 41-0 win over Oakton.
LR: NR; Next: Friday at Centreville, 7 p.m.
20. Westfield (2-0)
The Bulldogs have outscored their competition 77-7 in the first two weeks.
LR: NR; Next: Friday at Lake Braddock, 7 p.m.
On the bubble: Arundel, Bishop McNamara, Broadneck, Georgetown Prep, Tuscarora
Dropped out: No. 15 St. Mary’s (Annapolis), No. 16 Stone Bridge, No. 20 South County
