If the season ended today…

By Joe Conroy

Published: October 29, 2008

Were the football season ending today, both Hylton and Potomac would make their respective division’s playoffs. But, alas, the campaign does not end for two more games.
One of those final two contests is this week’s game between the two and it will affect each team’s chances at postseason play.
“No doubt this is a big game,” Hylton’s Lou Sorrentino said.
“In terms of the playoffs it certainly is a big game for both teams.”
The Bulldogs (5-3, 2-1 Cardinal District), who host Friday’s game, are third in the Virginia High School League’s power points calculations in Division 6, right behind Battlefield (33.0) and Woodbridge (30.8) with 25.4.
Because the Bobcats (8-0, 5-0 Cedar Run) and Vikings (8-0, 3-0) are likely to win their respective district crowns and earn the Northwest Region automatic berths, Hylton is still in position to claim one of the final two bids, standing just ahead of Osbourn and Gar-Field.
Potomac (5-3, 1-2) is also in the running for a Division 5 spot with 25.8 points, right behind Brooke Point (27.8) and WIlliam Fleming (26.4).
Sorrentino is looking for his Bulldogs to bounce back from their 35-6 loss to Woodbridge.
“We were on a roll there a little bit until Woodbridge took the wind out of our sails,” Sorrentino said of a four-game win streak that ended with the loss. “We lost a big game to Lake Taylor last year and we rebounded then.
“I hope to rebound the same way. It’ll be a good football game.”
Sorrentino sees similarities between the two 5-3 teams beyond their records, too. Both are relatively young teams and have seen their share of victories and blow-out losses.
Khosa gives Ingram a break
When Adrian Ingram was sidelined on offense for two games due to a sprained ankle, it opened the door for Gerald Khosa to run out of the backfield and give Battlefield another option at running back.
“That’s what planned we on all year,” Bobcats coach Mark Cox said. “It’s nice when both of them can run. They can spell each other.”
That plan was shelved at the beginning of the season when Khosa was out with turf toe and then a banged up shoulder. That meant that Ingram, one of the area’s top tailbacks when healthy, had to carry the rushing load every game in addition to his defensive responsibilities as a linebacker. Ingram was running the ball as many as 30 times a game, leaving him tired and vulnerable to breaking down.
While Ingram was out with the ankle injury, Khosa ran for 156 and 114 yards. He added 200 against Fauquier as Khosa and Ingram shared the carries.
“Gerald played some last year when Adrian had a bad day or needed a break ,” Cox said. “Gerald is a straight ahead runner. They have the same speed, but Gerald’s a little bit bigger and he’ll lower his shoulder and run over you. He’ll break a tackle instead of being elusive.
“We’re not missing a step when we put Gerald in there,” Cox added. “It’s one reason we’re not throwing as much. It takes the pressure off the quarterback when they’re running for 300 yards combined.”