Weekly Watch

Massaponax at Stone Bridge
Saturday 12/5 at 1:30
Massaponax’s running game hasn’t wavered all season. The 10-2 Panthers are riding that momentum all the way to a date with a Stone Bridge team that is certainly used to this stage. The Bulldogs and head coach Mickey Thompson have now won three consecutive Northern Region titles — six in the past eight seasons. However, it was hard to figure this kind of success when 2009 began. Stone Bridge had lost 20 starters from a year ago. Still, they weathered all potential adversity and beat Robert E. Lee last Friday afternoon, 21-10, to take the regional crown. If Massaponax wants to halt the Bulldogs, they must contain a key running threat in Marcus Harris. He is coming off a 33-carry, 118-yard, and three-touchdown effort against Lee. The biggest key could be time of possession. The Panthers’ ground game will kill seconds off the clock, but Stone Bridge controlled the ball for 30 minutes in its most recent win.

Lake Braddock at Battlefield
Saturday 12/5 at 3:00
Just when it looked like the Bobcats were done, they found a way to keep their perfect season in tact. But that unblemished record will be put to the test by a Northern Region foe. Lake Braddock is just two narrow losses away from being undefeated themselves. The Bruins avenged one of those close defeats last weekend, edging W.T. Woodson by a score of 27-20. What has carried them this far has been the play of an exciting and electric offense, led by quarterback Michael Nebrich. Battlefield’s signal caller, senior Bo Revell, isn’t bad either. But the theme of the Bobcats has been their defense — one of the state’s best. In fact, Battlefield has surrendered more than 20 points in just two games this season. Conversely, Lake Braddock has racked up more than 20 points in all but three contests.

Boys basketball tips off All weekend
While the football season is reaching its climax, the basketball season is in its beginning. And two teams that dueled for the Commonwealth District championship are set to do it again. The Stafford Indians ultimately won the season-long struggle over rival North Stafford, claiming its second straight crown. Both teams have the talent to make it back to the top. Stafford opened with a win over George Marshall on Saturday, and is set to take part in the Stafford Tip off Classic, which features many formidable clubs. The event opens with contests on Thursday evening, and more on Saturday afternoon. As for head coach Brad Lear and his Wolverines, they take part in a tournament as well. The Tip Off Tourney at Briar Woods High School commences on Friday and continues through Saturday. Match-ups and times of the games were yet to be determined at press time.

— Brian Wright