GW will likely host playoff game with a victory

George Washington still has a great chance to make a postseason appearance despite falling to Franklin County 41-32 on senior night last Friday in Danville, a loss that handed their opponent the Western Valley District championship.

In fact, GW may not even have to win its regular season finale against William Fleming tonight in Roanoke to make the playoffs.

GW (5-4, 2-1) and Fleming (6-2, 2-1), which are ranked fifth and sixth in the VHSL’s Group AAA Northwest Region Division 5 power rankings, respectively, are both likely to make the playoffs regardless of the outcome of this contest. The winner of this game is virtually assured a spot in the postseason, and a GW victory might allow the Eagles to jump to No. 3 in the rankings and host a first-round playoff game at J.T. Christopher Stadium on Nov. 13.

The top two teams in the power rankings at the end of the regular season receive first-round playoff byes.

“We have to approach this game like we win and we’re in, and if we don’t there’s a chance we’re going to get what we deserve,” GW coach Dan Newell said. “If you’re 5-5 and you’ve had two chances at the end of the season to win a ballgame when you know you need six wins to get in (to the postseason), and you’ve come up short, then you’re probably not going to win in the playoffs anyway.”

While the Eagles are likely to make the playoffs with a 5-5 record, a loss to Fleming would send GW backing in on a two-game skid and to Northern Virginia for the first round of the postseason. A GW win against Fleming sets up a likely home playoff game, either against Fleming or Mountain View, on Nov. 13.

The only possible way for GW and Fleming to not both making the playoffs is if Mountain View (4-5), currently seventh in the rankings and on the outside looking in, can find a way to defeat top-ranked Massaponax (7-2) tonight in Stafford. Plus, some of Mountain View’s opponents this season would also have to win, improving their records and thus raising Mountain View’s power points. With the unlikely victory, the Wildcats could possibly slip into the postseason and bump the loser of the GW-Fleming contest out.

“If Mountain View beats Massaponax, either one of us can be in trouble,” Newell said. “But a whole bunch of things have to fall into place for that to happen. We’re counting on us being in. We’re playing for a home playoff game.”

VHSL power rankings
Group AAA
Northwest Region
Division 5
(As of Nov. 6, 2009)
Team (Overall) - Points
1) Massaponax (7-2) - 27.4
2) North Stafford (7-2) - 27.4
3) Brooke Point (5-4) - 26.0
4) Osbourn (6-3) - 25.9
5) GW (5-4) - 24.9
6) Fleming (6-2) - 23.6
7) Mountain View (4-5) - 22.3
8) Heritage (2-7) - 21.9
NOTE: Top six teams at end of regular season make playoffs. Top two receive first-round bye.