With one exception, as always, there are multiple neighborhood high-school football games scheduled this season involving local teams.
The one game that will not be played is the private-school Route 123 showdown between the Flint Hill Huskies of Oakton and the Potomac School Panthers of McLean. Potomac School opted out of the annual game against its Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference rivals this season. The rivalry is expected to resume next fall.
One of the biggest local showdowns still on tap is the McLean Highlanders hosting the Langley Saxons in the regular-season finale on Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. McLean won last year.
In another, the Madison Warhawks host the Marshall Statesmen on Friday, Sept. 20. Madison won big in last fall’s clash.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, Madison hosts the Oakton Cougars at 2 p.m. in the annual meeting between the Vienna squads. Madison also won big in that game in 2023.
McLean and Marshall is another close-by rivalry. That game is at Marshall on Friday, Sept. 27. McLean won last fall in double overtime.
Marshall, the Falls Church Jaguars and Justice Wolves all have Falls Church addresses. Marshall plays at Falls Church on Friday, Sept. 6 and hosts Justice the next week on Friday, Sept. 13. Marshall won big in both contests a year ago.
The annual meeting between Oakton and the Chantilly Chargers also is considered a big neighborhood showdown. That game is a regular-season final at Oakton on Friday, Nov. 8.
One new local rivalry that could become a future keeper is a Saturday, Sept. 21 showdown between host Potomac School and the Bishop O’Connell Knights. The private schools are located just a few miles apart, but have never met in football.
