Football preview: Rivals collide at Hayfield, Majors aim for 5-0, Edison goes for 2nd win

September 22, 2017 Sports
Tim Heltzel running

In addition to passing for more than 1,000 yards through four games, Mount Vernon quarterback Tim Heltzel has more than 200 yards rushing. (Benjamin Machado image)

Two of the top wide receivers the D.C. area will face off tonight when Hayfield hosts rival South County in a non-district matchup. The game will showcase the Hawks’ Brian Cobbs, who will play for Maryland next year, and South County’s Dillon Spalding, who has offers from multiple Division I schools, including Michigan, West Virginia, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Two other Richmond Highway-area teams, Mount Vernon (4-0) and Edison (1-2), are also at home tonight, while West Potomac (3-1) is on a bye week. A look at the games:

Hayfield vs. South County

The game of the night will be on Telegraph Road, where unbeaten Hayfield (3-0) takes on South County (1-2). Last year the two teams combined for 96 points in a wild back-and forth South County victory in Lorton, and both squads will bring plenty offensive firepower into tonight’s matchup.

Hayfield is averaging almost 47 points per game during its unbeaten start. Last week the Hawks had their first close game at Fairfax, although Hayfield never trailed and was up by 20 until the final two minutes. Cobbs once again led Hayfield, but this time showcased his ability as a ball carrier, rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns and catching a third:

South County comes into the game under .500, but both losses have been close contests against fellow 6A powerhouses. The Stallions fell in overtime to Westfield in Week 2, and then lost 31-27 at Centreville in Week 3.

Spalding has 19 catches for 424 yards and six TDs through three games, according to stats on WashingtonPost.com.

Edison vs. Jefferson

Edison secured their first win of the season last week against McLean, and tonight they’ll have an excellent chance to even their record at 2-2 as they face winless Jefferson at home. Last season Edison won their only game against the Colonials, who have not won a game since 2013.

Mount Vernon vs. Wakefield

The Majors offense has been unstoppable through the first four weeks of the season, which could spell trouble for visiting Wakefield (2-1) tonight. 

Mount Vernon is 4-0 for the first time since 1986 behind a balanced attack led by quarterback Tim Heltzel. The senior has more than 1,000 yards passing already this season — a feat that’s even more impressive considering he hasn’t even played in the second half of two of Mount Vernon’s blowout wins.

Heltzel’s primary target has been senior slotback Darrien Newton, who has 441 receiving yards. But when teams try to take Newton out of the game, as W-L tried last week, Heltzel showed that the Majors can burn you with multiple weapons. Senior wide receiver Damien Burke pulled in two long TDs, including this 93-yard bomb, in Mount Vernon’s 79-27 victory:

Heltzel has also accounted for more than 200 yards on the ground, helping add another dimension to an already-strong running attack led by sophomore Jordyn Reid, Newton and senior Joshua Henry.