Welcome back to the Monday (Afternoon) Quarterback. After a busy first weekend in the regional playoffs, two teams are out and three teams moved on, with two of those squads - Potomac Falls and Broad Run - set to do battle again this Friday night in Ashburn.

Today we'll take one final look at the two teams whose seasons came to an end, Briar Woods and Loudoun County and hit on a few of our observations from Broad Run and Potomac Falls' wins on Friday night as we look ahead to their rematch.

So let's get right to it...

LOUDOUN COUNTY (6-5, 4-3)

One Step Back: The Raiders came into this season with a goal to reverse the mentality of a program that had won just two games in the previous two seasons. Mission accomplished. In a year in which the Raiders showed much growth on both sides of the football, Loudoun County made a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. They did so behind a running attack led by senior Andrew Walczak, who carried the ball sparingly early in the year but topped 100 yards in four consecutive games (five of the last six) to end the season. And behind a resurgent offensive line and the outstanding play of junior WR Mike Ayoub. They did so with Joe Bushrod managing the game much better and making plays in the pocket to buy time (he was singled out and praised by Broad Run Coach Mike Burnett for his play against the Spartans on Friday). And they did so with a defense led by linebackers Chase Williams and Jake Wasko and defensive tackle Teddy Orrison and bolstered by the play of an athletic secondary. In year two of Todd Hill's tenure, Loudoun County took a big step forward and will look to continue to improve and reach the level of the area's strongest programs.

One Step Forward: It certainly will be interesting to see how the Raiders continue to grow next season. They return several key players on both sides of the ball -- including Ayoub, Williams, Wasko and Orrison -- and a season in which they made the playoffs will hugely impact the development of some of the younger guys on the roster. They'll have to replace some key guys -- Bushrod, McLister, Walczak are a few names -- and there are some gaps that must be filled before County will compete on the same level as the Broad Runs. They'll have to find another play-making receiver to pair with Ayoub and a consistent running back, and they'll also look to continue growth on both the offensive and defensive lines. But Coach Todd Hill has a strong history of success and this season was an example of that reputation. You have to expect the Raiders to continue progressing and becoming a player once again in the Dulles District next season.

Keep An Eye On: QB Austin Campbell - The junior will likely be the guy tabbed to step into the starting quarterback position replacing senior Joe Bushrod. Campbell showed some promise in spot play this season and he'll have to continue his growth in order for County to be a legitimate contender. If Campbell can step in and play effectively right away, County can immediately build on what they put together this season.

BRIAR WOODS (8-3, 5-2)

One Step Back: The Falcons came into 2008 hoping to take another stride in the early success their football program has experienced. They got off to a great start with a win against Millbrook - the team that knocked them out of the playoffs in 2007 - and had their best regular season in school history. Their only two losses in the district schedule came to Broad Run and Potomac Falls, the two teams to finish above them in the district. Briar Woods knocked off Heritage for the first time in school history in Week 9 and was honored with Division 3 Coach of the Year (Charlie Pierce), Offensive Player of the Year (Ray Taliaferro) and Defensive Player of the Year (Jake Ashton) as well as 12 other All-District first and second team selections. On Friday the Falcons were bounced from the first round for the second straight season, falling to a very tough Monticello team on the road, 30-13. Briar Woods began the season experimenting with the spread offense but quickly fell back into their power running mold, grinding out an average of 203 yards per game. With 440 rushing attempts and only 147 passes thrown, they ran on three-fourths of their plays from scrimmage. In the end it was their lack of an aerial attack that prevented them from being able to come back from a late-game deficit against Monticello.

One Step Forward: With their 8-2 regular season campaign, the Falcons cemented themselves as one of the top three teams in the district and under Pierce, should continue to improve each and every season. They lose 23 seniors including Taliaferro, Ashton and All-District selections Andrew Davidson, Jeremy Gray, Austin DeMoss, Jamie Caldwell, Aaron Kakol, Michael Girolami, J.T. Bailey and Bryan Mahoney. Briar Woods returns junior RB/LB Billy McDonald, freshman QB Edwin Mends and freshman PK David Clements just to name a few. They'll need to replace several big bodies on both lines and find develop a some of the younger guys in their offensive and defensive backfields. The defense will likely be the strength of the Falcons next season, as it has been over the last two years, but if they hope to advance further in the playoffs, they'll need to expand their offensive prowess. The ground game will continue to be the foundation but Briar Woods needs to find a better balance through the air if they hope to compete with the offenses of the two Dulles District teams that will meet this Friday night - Broad Run and Potomac Falls. The guy below could be the answer.

Keep An Eye On: QB Edwin Mends - Called into duty when the Falcons lost junior starter Austin Fratalli for the season before Week 9, the freshman started Briar Woods' final four games. He was up and down, as one would expect from an inexperienced quarterback at the high school level, but he showed flashes of a strong arm and great pocket awareness and mobility. Mends' best game came in a come-from-behind win at Freedom in the regular season finale. In that game he threw for 194 yards and a school record four TDs. If Pierce commits to Mends as his starter and continues to develop his offense around the freshman's skill set, the Falcons could have found their QB for the next three years.

Other Observations from Friday Night

BROAD RUN
Friday Result: defeated Loudoun County 47-28

The Spartans continue to look like the strongest team in the region by a long shot. Broad Run dominated the game on all fronts, with special teams being the key factor on Friday night against Loudoun County. After the Spartans pulled comfortably ahead early, Loudoun County fought back only to see the game slip away on a big kick return touchdown by David Weaver. It was the second big return allowed in the game. Broad Run has athletes all over the field, which is why they are so effective on special teams. Weaver's return is a prime example, as it appeared the kick was an attempt to keep the ball out of Breon Earl's hands and ended up going to the house.

The Spartans were also strong once again in their pass defense. With a rematch against Potomac Falls coming up, that unit's play will be put to the test once again. Broad Run usually stacks eight men in the box and plays a lot of man coverage, and if they are able to shut Michael Baker down early, Potomac Falls likely will go to the air and try to get the ball to Chad McMichael and Tarrell Owens. The matchups outside and the play of Didier Saidi, Chris Jessop, Breon Earl and Adrian Flemming will be critical as the Spartans look for a repeat of the 38-0 drubbing they gave the Panthers earlier this season. - PT

POTOMAC FALLS
Friday Result: defeated James Wood 26-17

It wasn't the type of offensive shootout we're used to seeing from the Panthers, but they got the job done against a very strong Colonels team. This was the stiffest test Potomac Falls had faced since their loss to Broad Run three weeks prior and they really executed down the stretch in an impressive come-from-behind victory. I've seen this team in action five times now and this was the best game I've seen them play. They didn't have many big plays through the air, or on the ground for that matter, but they kept fighting in spite of their struggles early on and made plays when it mattered most.

All-District running back - and a lot of people's player of the year - Michael Baker was kept in check in the first half, but his continued efforts in the fourth quarter were cashed in for two touchdowns that gave the Panthers the victory. With the Colonels focused on stopping Baker and junior wideout Tarrell Owens, senior TE/LB Chris Pelto had his best game of the season, catching five passes for 75 yards. Pelto was also responsible for a game-changing play in the second quarter when he forced a fumble on a sack that was returned for a touchdown and gave the Panthers the lead. He hasn't been a major factor offensively this season but expect him to be involved on Friday against the Spartans with their best defensive backs focused on stopping Owens and All-District wideout Chad McMichael.

Defensively, Potomac Falls stood strong against one of the best rushing attacks in the area, limiting the Colonels to 155 yards rushing on 44 carries and allowing QB Trae Tinsman to complete just 4-of-15 passes for 43 yards. The two James Wood TDs came on play action passes where the Panthers had sold out to stop the run. They can't afford to have similar lapses against Broad Run with their talented receiving corps.

The Panthers were pumped up for their first playoff game and after the game Coach Scott Woodlief's team let out a roar when he mentioned the next the rematch they have ahead of them. They know they'll need to play their best game of the season to beat the best team in the District and I'd be shocked if this game wasn't a much better one than their first matchup. - MB