South Lakes Takes Its Unbeaten Record To West Potomac

By Brian McNicoll

RESTON, VA.— As the dominating victories pile up, the question increasingly becomes: How good are these South Lakes High Seahawks?

They’re 3-0 so far with resounding victories over state-level contender Battlefield, always-tough Robinson and Yorktown. They’ve scored 30 or more points in every game, outgained all three opponents and recorded 23 tackles-for-loss, four fumble recoveries and five interceptions – two of which were returned for touchdowns.

The Seahawks will find out a lot more about where they stand Friday night when they travel to West Potomac for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

West Potomac Offers An Early Measuring Stick

The Wolverines are 1-1 with a 31-10 victory over Mount Vernon and a 40-0 loss to West Springfield. Mount Vernon is 2-1 with victories over Freedom of Woodbridge and Hayfield, which South Lakes handled in a scrimmage.

West Springfield also has defeated Chantilly, 41-7, and lost to Madison, 23-14, meaning the score will give the Seahawks the best visibility they’ve had all season into where they stand in the Concorde District and perhaps beyond.

“We’ll learn a lot about where we stand this week,” said South Lakes Coach Jason Hescock. “We’re finally getting enough common opponents to tell.”

West Potomac is a homecoming game of sorts for Hescock, who served as an assistant there for eight years. He said the Wolverines have a quick and shifty back, a quality wide receiver, some good linemen and an aggressive blitzing posture on defense to worry about.

A Balanced Attack And Disruptive Defense

But he pointed out the Seahawks sport a balanced attack in which they have passed 84 times and run the ball 108. They have a defense in that revolves around Sebastian Valencia but increasingly involves contributions form Yusif Atiya, Angel Serrano, Cameron Soto, Colin Wall and Michael Baxter.

Valencia leads the team with 15 tackles, including 12 solos, two sacks and three tackles-for-loss, and four different players recorded TFLs last week against Battlefield.

But the reasons for their success go beyond that. The veterans have helped the newcomers get up to speed by paying attention to reads and details and understanding the tendencies and formations of the opponent.

“This is a really smart team,” Hescock said. “They speak up in the film room. They offer good information about what they’re seeing. Wall gives great suggestions. Serrano is a very smart player. That really makes a difference for us.”

Deep Passes Remain A Concern

The Seahawks have been vulnerable to the deep pass this season. Battlefield hit two long passes for touchdowns, and both Hayfield and South County scored against South Lakes on long passes during the scrimmages. Last year, South Lakes defeated West Potomac, 28-13, but both Wolverine touchdowns came on long passes – one of which covered 79 yards.

That’s what worries Hescock the most. ‘It’s a level of speed we’re not necessarily used to seeing,” Hescock said. “You have to keep them in front of you and not let them beat the top of your defense.”

The game will be the fourth in South Lakes’ 10-game regular season. The Seahawks will entertain neighborhood rival Herndon next week then begin its Concorde District schedule the following week against Oakton.

“We’ve handled our preparation, and I think we’re reasonably healthy,” Hescock said. “It’s just up to us to go out and execute.”

Also See ...

• Joshua Dagbe Scores 3 TDs As South Lakes Improves To 3-0
• South Lakes Ready To Settle The Score With Battlefield In Reston
• South Lakes Forces 3 Turnovers, Rolls Past Robinson 30-7