Basketball: VivaLoudoun/Loudoun Times-Mirror Top 5 Hoops Poll

(Jan. 20, 2011) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com have teamed up to present the LoCo Elite 5 — a top five weekly rankings for varsity basketball among Loudoun’s 12 public high schools.

Defending AA state champion Potomac Falls is our No. 1 ranked boys’ team, and Stone Bridge is our top ranked girls’ squad.

Here’s a look at our full rankings as of Jan. 18.

Basketball: LoCo Elite 5 Rankings for Boys and Girls

(Dec. 23, 2010) - In a top secret location earlier this week, VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa and Loudoun Times-Mirror sports editor Carl Lukat met and came up with the first LoCo Elite 5 boys and girls basketball rankings of the 2010-11 season.

Sousa, in a "John Wooden was THE MAN" t-shirt said that the rankings involved a scientific study of all 24 area basketball teams results thus far this season, their strength of schedule, how cool their mascots looked, number of vowels in their tallest players middle name and something to do with the main ingredient to General Tso's Chicken ...

Lukat, often knowing for writing with a 24-second shot clock while on deadline, said he hoped any involvement with Sousa and VivaLoudoun was the by-product of some sideways world, just like on "Lost".

See the complete rankings here on the Loudoun Times-Mirror site!

News: LoCo Elite 5 - Stone Bridge Moves Into a Tie with Loudoun County in Volleyball Rankings

(Oct. 12, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com have teamed up to present the LoCo Elite 5 — a top five weekly rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun’s 12 public high schools.

Stone Bridge High School is ranked No. 1 in football for the 8th straight week and in volleyball, Loudoun County is on top for the 5th straight week, but the Raiders share the top spot with Stone Bridge. Both teams have one loss on the season with County beating SB at home but then the Raiders dropped a surprise match the same day to Kettle Run. Both have been perfect since.

Here’s a look at our full rankings as of Oct. 19 with a little note from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa.

LoCo Elite 5 Football

1. Stone Bridge (7-0)
The Skinny: Madison is to Stone Bridge as Kryptonite is to Superman ... Bulldogs glad to have winless Warhawks behind them!

2. Briar Woods (6-2)
The Skinny: Falcons celebrated Homecoming with the school now old enough to actually have students coming home!

3. Broad Run (7-1)
The Skinny: Watch assistant coach Jason Dawson's beard start to grow as Spartans rebuild the winning streak!

4. Loudoun Valley (5-2)
The Skinny: In the Vikes win on Friday at Stonewall there were only three punts ... and 13 kickoffs!

5. Loudoun County (3-4)
The Skinny: Raiders rev up season and keep playoff hopes alive with second half comeback and dramatic OT win at Dominion!

On the brink: Dominion (3-4), Park View (3-4)


LoCo Elite 5 Volleyball

T1. Loudoun County (15-1)
The Skinny: Raiders travel to Broad Run this Thursday for district test.

T1. Stone Bridge (15-1)
The Skinny: Even with injuries, SB impresses and moves into tie for first!

3. Heritage (14-2)
The Skinny: Dig Pink tonight in Leesburg. Can you dig it!?!

4. Loudoun Valley (11-5)
The Skinny: Vikes could throw Cedar Run regular-season race up in the air with win tonight at Heritage.

T5. Broad Run (10-5)
The Skinny: Spartans went up against the best on Monday with loss at Flint Hill

T5. Freedom (11-5)
The Skinny: Eagles poised for playoff run.

On the brink: Briar Woods (11-6), Potomac Falls (12-7)

News: LoCo Elite 5 - Top 5 Rankings for Football and Volleyball Updated

(Oct. 12, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com have teamed up to present the LoCo Elite 5 — a top five weekly rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun’s 12 public high schools.

Stone Bridge High School is ranked No. 1 in football for the seventh straight week and Loudoun County is on top in volleyball for the fourth straight week.

Here’s a look at our full rankings as of Oct. 11 with a little note from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa.

LoCo Elite 5 Football

1. Stone Bridge (6-0)

The Skinny: Mickey Thompson's substitute pattern -- 1st quarter: starters. 2nd quarter: back-ups. 3rd quarter: freshman. 4th quarter: band members, middle school kids and cast of school's production of "Cheaper by the Dozen".

2. Briar Woods (5-2)

The Skinny: Alex Carter the latest in long line of running backs to step up for Briar Woods this year. 

3. Broad Run (6-1)

The Skinny: Maybe it was a good idea that the Spartan students weren't allowed in the end zone stands Friday as they might have suffered heat exhaustion from the first quarter that featured 42 points between the two teams!

4. Loudoun Valley (4-2)

The Skinny: The Vikes will look to bounce back this week after tough Homecoming loss to Osbourn.

5. Park View (3-3)

The Skinny: Patriots continue to be very opportunistic on defense with big TD returns in almost every game this season.

On the brink: Dominion (3-3), Loudoun County (2-4)

LoCo Elite 5 Volleyball
1. Loudoun County (14-1)

The Skinny: For the first time in weeks, dropped games last week in wins over Robinson and Freedom.


2. Stone Bridge (13-1)

The Skinny: Bulldogs knocking on the top spot with decisive sweep over Heritage, but that head-to-head loss to County earlier in the season, keeps the Dawgs on a short lease.

3. Heritage (12-2)

The Skinny: Pride suffered second defeat of season with loss to Stone Bridge.

4. Loudoun Valley (8-5)

The Skinny: Vikes may have five losses but boast toughest schedule around.

tie5. Broad Run (8-4)

The Skinny: Spartans upset last week by Briar Woods

tie5. Freedom (9-5)

The Skinny: Eagles may be the most battle-tested team in county with a host of 5-game matches under their belt.

On the brink: Briar Woods (10-5), Potomac Falls (10-6)

News: LoCo Elite 5 - Top 5 Rankings for Football and Volleyball Updated

(Sept. 28, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com have teamed up to present the LoCo Elite 5 — a top five weekly rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun’s 12 public high schools.

Stone Bridge High School is ranked No. 1 in football for the fifth straight week and Loudoun County is on top in volleyball for the third straight week.

Here’s a look at our full rankings as of Sept. 27 with a little note from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa.

LoCo Elite 5 Football

1. Stone Bridge (4-0)

The Skinny: During Liberty District blowouts, RB Marcus Harris spends second half of games updating Facebook status

2. Broad Run (5-0)

The Skinny: Only the traffic on Waxpool Road can slow down the Spartans these days! 

3. Loudoun Valley (3-1)

The Skinny: Valley spent bye week getting ready to roll out "W"elcome mat for "W"oodgrove on Friday

4. Briar Woods (3-2)

The Skinny: Easier to run through a briar patch without any shoes on that it is to run against the Briar Woods defense

5. Loudoun County (2-2)

The Skinny: Raiders have returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season

On the brink: Dominion (2-2) - If you put all of Deandre Reaves touchdown runs the past two games end-to-end ... you would end up in West Virginia (think about kids)

LoCo Elite 5 Volleyball

1. Loudoun County (9-1)

The Skinny: You thought all factories were out-sourced to China ... not this volleyball factory!

2. Stone Bridge (10-1)

The Skinny: Bulldogs beat Broad Run Monday in warm-up for next year's football game between the two schools

3. Heritage (6-1)

The Skinny: Pride making it exciting with a pair of 5-game victories on Saturday over Langley and Robinson

4. Loudoun Valley (4-2)

The Skinny: Vikes fell on the road Saturday at Patrick Henry-Roanoke

5. Broad Run (5-3)

The Skinny: Spartans keep Freedom on the brink with 5-game win last week in South Riding

On the brink: Freedom (7-3) - Eagles are legit regional playoff team

News: LoCo Elite 5 - Top 5 Rankings for Football and Volleyball Updated

(Sept. 23, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com have teamed up to present the LoCo Elite 5 — a top five weekly rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun’s 12 public high schools.

Stone Bridge High School is ranked No. 1 in football for the fourth straight week and Loudoun County is on top in volleyball for the second straight week.

Here’s a look at our full rankings as of Sept. 21 with a little note from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa.

LoCo Elite 5 Football

1. Stone Bridge (3-0)

The Skinny: Bulldogs now ranked No. 1 in WashPost Poll as well! 

2. Broad Run (4-0)

The Skinny: Less than a year and counting until Spartans host Bulldogs. 

3. Loudoun Valley (3-1)

The Skinny: Vikings on a quest this season (that was for you Johnny Chase fans).

T4. Briar Woods (2-2)

The Skinny: Falcon fans busy tracing the letter "D" and pictures of fences.

T4. Loudoun County (2-1)

The Skinny: Raiders let one get away last week.

On the brink: 

LoCo Elite 5 Volleyball

1. Loudoun County (8-1)

The Skinny: Can we use the Dynasty word ... please.

2. Stone Bridge (8-1)

The Skinny: Could be another year where we see local teams in AA and AAA state finals.

3. Heritage (3-1)

The Skinny: WashPost jinx? Pride get ranked by big city paper and then drop 5-setter to Fairfax

4. Broad Run (4-2)

The Skinny: Spartans need to fasten seat belts to avoid turbulence.

5. Loudoun Valley (3-1)

The Skinny: Vikes will be moving up next week after big win over Langley

On the brink: Freedom (6-2)

News: LoCo Elite 5 - Top 5 Rankings for Football and Volleyball

(Sept. 7, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com have teamed up to present the LoCo Elite 5 — a top five weekly rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun’s 12 public high schools.

Stone Bridge High School is ranked No. 1 in football for the third straight week but Loudoun County, thanks to a head-to-head win Saturday, moves past Stone Bridge in the volleyball poll.

Here’s a look at our full rankings as of Sept. 6. with a little note from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa.

LoCo Elite 5 Football

1. Stone Bridge (2-0)

The Skinny: First team D has yet to give up a TD. 

2. Broad Run (3-0)

The Skinny: Single wing looks mighty fine on Spartans

3. Loudoun County (2-0)

The Skinny: Raiders move up in the poll with big win over Tuscarora.

T4. Loudoun Valley (2-1)

The Skinny: Vikes hit speed bump in form of Forest Park for first loss.

T4. Briar Woods (2-1)

The Skinny: Falcons move from "the brink" with shutout over Handley.

On the brink: Park View (1-2)

LoCo Elite 5 Volleyball

1. Loudoun County (6-1)

The Skinny: The good news is the Raiders beat SB to take the top spot ... bad news is a loss to Kettle Run in same tournament

2. Stone Bridge (6-1)

The Skinny: Bulldogs turn around and blast Top 10 DC area team Robinson but they inch down with five-game loss to Raiders

3. Heritage (2-0)

The Skinny: Pride took the last week off but fire it up with match against Broad run tonight.

4. Broad Run (3-0)

The Skinny: Spartans face Heritage tonight and then top-ranked County next Tuesday.

5. Loudoun Valley (1-1)

The Skinny: Vikes took the week off.

On the brink: Freedom (3-2), Potomac Falls (5-3)

News: LoCo Elite 5 Football and Volleyball - Updated!

(Aug. 31, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com are teaming up this fall to present the LoCo Elite 5 -- a top five rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun's 12 public high schools.

Here are our picks after the first week of action ... with a word from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa about each pick:

LoCo Elite 5 Foootball

1, Stone Bridge

How good is Stone Bridge? They didn't play Friday and their stat guy STILL emailed me!

2, Broad Run

The Spartans open with a win in Matt Griffis coaching debut and JR Connor Jessop will carry the team at QB

3, Loudoun Valley

Andrew Taylor opens his senior campaign with five TD passes and David Mellstrom has a night to remember with four TD including a punt and kickoff return score! We move the Vikes up to 3rd with this strong opening!

4, Briar Woods

They lose two running backs and their top lineman ... and still find a way to win and talk about QB debuts ... how about freshman Trace McSorley who engineers The Drive to set up winning FG.

5, Loudoun County

Remember this name: Marcus Crews ... Raiders new QB. We can now call County's offense ... Crews Crew. Briar Woods and Valley, however, inch ahead of Raiders in poll after they survive missed extra point and three missed FG attempts by Musselman

On the cusp: Park View

Patriots score 32 vs. Sherando which bodes well ... but they gave up 35

LoCo Elite 5 Volleyball

1, Stone Bridge

They haven't opened the season by on college signings alone the Bulldogs are No. 1

2, Loudoun County

We will know much, much more after Briar Woods travels to Leesburg Tuesday to open Dulles District season.

3, Loudoun Valley

Vikes beat Fauquier but need four games to do it.

3, Heritage

Pride look strong against Potomac Falls in opener and move into tie for third with Valley, their Cedar Run District rival.

5, Broad Run

We don't expect the Spartans to stay at No. 5 for long ... at least according to our scouting reports!

Feedback: Fire away with your comments but keep it civil or else the VivaLoudoun Fox will pay your henhouse a visit ...

On the cusp: Potomac Falls

Panthers win William Monroe tournament and have talent

News: LoCo Elite 5 - Top 5 Rankings for Football and Volleyball

(Aug. 27, 2010) - The Loudoun Times-Mirror and VivaLoudoun.com are teaming up this fall to present the LoCo Elite 5 -- a top five rankings for football and volleyball among Loudoun's 12 public high schools.

Here is our preseason picks, with a word from VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa about each pick:

LoCo Elite 5 Foootball
1, Stone Bridge
If they filmed Friday Nights Lights in Loudoun, Stone Bridge would be Dillon High ... before East Dillon reopened
2, Broad Run
The Spartans seniors have never lost a regular season game since they entered the school!
3, Loudoun County
Todd Hill has the Raiders program turned around
4, Briar Woods
Charlie Pierce has had the Falcons competitive since the school went varsity in 2006
4, Loudoun Valley
The story everybody missed last year: Danny McGrath righting the Vikings ship
On the cusp: Dominion, Park View
Deandre! Deandre! Deandre! How much will Pats miss Andy Hill?

LoCo Elite 5 Volleyball
1, Loudoun County
Can the Raiders reload once again instead of rebuilding after three straight state titles
1, Stone Bridge
The Bulldogs field a starting line-up that could all end up playing college volleyball
3, Loudoun Valley
How competitive is this area ... Vikes defending AAA champs are third!
4, Heritage
Pride won't be under the radar long with talent on their team
5, Broad Run
New coach Betsy Scudder takes over Spartans program

Feedback: Fire away with your comments but keep it civil or else the VivaLoudoun Fox will pay your henhouse a visit ...

On the cusp: Too early to tell!


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