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Hey gang, Matt here!

This high school football season, we’re teaming up with the guys at “All Hitches — The NoVA Football Podcast” to preview some of the biggest local games under the Friday night lights.

Check out our newsletter every Thursday as Coach Dash and Coach Mesa will highlight their Games of the Week in Fairfax County. Then, on Friday nights, be sure to tune in to the All Hitches “Friday Night Spotlight” on YouTube where the guys take you LIVE to games around the region for all of the local high school football action.

Check out their previews of their Game of the Week and other local matchups. ⬇️

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Matt

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A preview of this week’s games

Game of the Week: Westfield at Langley

Westfield (2-0) at Langley (2-0)
Undefeated Collide in Early-Season Statement Game

This week’s spotlight falls on a battle of unbeatens as Westfield travels to Langley in a matchup that’s got all the makings of a classic. Both teams are 2–0 and coming off convincing wins, but they’ve taken different paths to get here.

Langley has looked locked in from the jump, shutting out Fairfax in Week 1 before steamrolling Herndon last week. The Saxons are riding a wave of momentum behind standout quarterback Cole Samburg, who’s been one of the most efficient and composed signal-callers in Northern Virginia through two weeks.

Westfield, meanwhile, showed some serious guts in their wild comeback win over Patriot to open the season, then followed it up by taking care of business against Fairfax. Ryan Carlson leads the Bulldogs at quarterback, but it’s Malachi Lee, a rising sophomore at running back, who’s already turning heads with his big-play ability and downhill style.

This one feels like a measuring stick game for both squads. Can Langley’s defense slow down a physical, battle-tested Westfield team? Or will the Bulldogs' experience and depth wear down the upstart Saxons?

Either way, we’re circling this one as a must-watch.

West Springfield at Madison

West Springfield (1–1) at Madison (0–2)
Both Teams Looking to Close the Deal in Key District Clash

This Patriot vs Concorde District crossover might not carry the undefeated buzz of some other matchups, but make no mistake—this game means everything for two teams hungry to bounce back.

Both Madison and West Springfield come into Friday night still stewing over fourth-quarter collapses. Madison let one slip late against Lake Braddock, while West Springfield saw a lead vanish against Chantilly. It’s the kind of loss that sticks with you, and now both teams are staring down a critical Week 3 opportunity.

Madison is better than their 0–2 record shows. The Warhawks have lost their first two games by a combined 10 points and have played tough, physical football. They’re still searching for that first win, but the pieces are there.

West Springfield, sitting at 1–1, is looking to regain momentum after their gritty opening win. If they can clean up the miscues and finish stronger, they’ve got the firepower to get back in the win column.

Expect a physical, emotional matchup between two squads that know what’s on the line: this game won’t decide a season, but it might turn one around.

Robinson at Fairfax

Robinson (0–1) at Fairfax (0–2)
District Battle Between Two Winless Teams Looking for a Spark

This one might not have the flash of undefeated records, but don’t let that fool you—Robinson vs. Fairfax is one of the most important games of the week for both teams.

Fairfax is in unfamiliar territory at 0–2, dropping games to Langley and Westfield to start the season. Robinson, coming off a bye in Week 1, fell in a close one to South Lakes in their opener. Now both teams head into this matchup knowing exactly what’s at stake.

It’s a district game, which means tiebreakers down the line could hinge on this one. And with both teams looking to avoid a winless start through three weeks, the urgency will be sky high.

These programs know each other well, and you can expect a physical game where every possession matters. A win here won’t fix everything—but it could be the push that gets the season moving in the right direction.

McLean vs. Falls Church

McLean (0–2) vs Falls Church (1–1)
Opportunity Knocks as Both Teams Look to Make a Statement

This week’s matchup between McLean and Falls Church may not have playoff implications just yet, but it’s quietly one of the more important games on the schedule for both programs.

McLean is 0–2, but don’t let that record fool you—they’ve been right there in both games, battling hard against Chantilly and Washington-Liberty. They’ve shown flashes on both sides of the ball but are still searching for that breakthrough moment to get into the win column.

Falls Church, on the other hand, is coming off a big win over Wakefield in Week 1 but got roughed up last week by Marshall. This is a chance for the Jaguars to reset and grab something they haven’t had much of in recent years—a non-district win, which could go a long way in building confidence and momentum.

For McLean, it’s about finally cashing in after two tight losses. For Falls Church, it’s a chance to prove Week 1 wasn’t a fluke and that they can take care of business outside the National District.

Both teams need this one for different reasons—but make no mistake, they both need it.

Herndon at Chantilly

Herndon (0–2) at Chantilly (2–0)
Can Chantilly Stay Hot or Will Herndon Keep the Streak Alive?

Chantilly is riding high after a dramatic comeback win over West Springfield in Week 2, and at 2–0, they’re one of the early surprises in the Concorde District. Led by senior quarterback Samir Mantri, the Chargers are finding ways to win and building real momentum heading into a rivalry game that hasn’t gone their way in recent years.

That’s because Herndon has had Chantilly’s number, winning this matchup multiple times over the past few seasons. But this year feels different. The Hornets are off to a rough start after a tough opening loss to Tuscarora and a blowout defeat at the hands of Langley. They’ll need to clean things up quickly if they want to avoid falling to 0–3.

For Chantilly, this is about proving things really have changed—that they can take care of business against teams that used to give them trouble. For Herndon, it’s about pride, urgency, and getting back in the win column before the season starts slipping away.

This one has real energy behind it, and with district play approaching, both teams know how much it matters.

For full coverage of all the Friday night action across Northern Virginia, don’t miss our Friday Night Spotlight show—breaking down the biggest plays, standout performances, and storylines you won’t find anywhere else.

And for everything NOVA high school football all season long, follow the All Hitches Podcast on YouTube:
🎙️ youtube.com/@NovaFootballPod

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Matt Knoedler
Publisher, Out & About Fairfax