By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area
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West Springfield (3-2, 2-0) at South County (4-1, 1-1)
Last Week: West Springfield won vs. T.C. Williams, 15-14; South County won at West Potomac, 23-7
Playoff Position (SOS): West Springfield (Div 6) 4th; South County (Div 6) T2nd
They may not devastate opposing players and pop off the screen on film, but the Stallions’ defense is one of the best in the region.
Statistically, they’re the top-ranked defense in Division 6, giving up only 9.8 points per game. Oakton is second at 16.2 points per, almost twice what South County allows.
It has playmakers lined up from senior defensive lineman Anthony Carabali all the way back to senior defensive back Andre Simmons (Vanderbilt).
For its part, West Springfield’s defense has not been shabby, either.
It pitched its second-straight second-half shutout, its third overall. The Spartans yield 6.0 second-half points per game.
Last week, both defenses were on display as West Springfield edged T.C. Williams, 15-14, on a 45-yard field goal by senior kicker John McConnell and South County beat West Potomac, 23-7, holding the Wolverines to 33 yards in the final two quarters.
The X-factor in this game, though, is the running game.
In their four wins, the Stallions have gained 4.87, 4.68, 4.64 and 4.26 yards per carry, in that order. In its lone loss, 7-6 to Annandale, South County was held to 2.97 yards per attempt.
Spartan senior running back Dan Collins did not play in Week 1, but has multiple touchdowns in every game since. This season, he has nine scores on just 64 touches.
His 283 rushing yards and 113 receiving yards don’t scream for attention, but he averages 5.5 yards per touch.
West Springfield, with senior vacuum T.J. O’Connell, will likely put up more passing yards, but will also have significantly more pass attempts.
This game will come down to offensive efficiency. Whoever has more yards per play against these two stout defenses will win.
The Spartans won three of their four all-time meetings with the Stallions in one of the highest-scoring series in the Region.
West Springfield and South County average 80.25 combined points per game.
It’s safe to say, aside from quintuple overtime, that number will shrink.
Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com
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