DMV Top 50 by Josh Ilori (50-41)

2017 DMV Top 50 teams 50 – 41

50 – Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders (2016 Record: 8 – 4) Head Coach: Thomas Green Conference: Maryland Class 4A

After a second-round playoff exit in Maryland State Playoffs the Raiders are in position to make noise in Maryland Class 4A football again. Maryland commit Raymond Boone and fellow senior Jaden Faulkner are one of the most dynamic duos in the DMV whether they’re connecting for a touchdown pass or locking down opposing wideouts on defense.

49 – Howard Lions (2016 Record: 11 – 2) Head Coach: Ross Hannon, Conference: Maryland Class 4A

The top public – school team in Howard county brings back a dynamic backfield headlined by Senior QB Robby Porter and Junior RB Devin Dawkins to an offense which averaged 32.5 points per game. The Lions’ defense will look to Senior DB Emmanuel Stokes as they attempt to build off their 3 straight Class 4A Semifinal appearance in 2016.

48 – Madison Warhawks (2016 Record: 11 – 2) Head Coach: Lenny Schultz, Conference: Virginia 6A

Coach Schultz’s squad is coming off a quarterfinals appearance in Virginia’s 6A conference. With the transfer of Senior RB Landan Thomas (Coral Springs Charter), the WarHawks will look to Juniors RBs John Finney and Maximus Wysocki to lead them on another deep playoff run in 2017.

47 – Hermitage Panthers (2016 Record: 10 – 2) Head Coach: Patrick Kane, Conference: Virginia 5A

The Panthers are coming off a second-round appearance in the Virginia playoffs. Coach Kane’s defense which allowed 12.42 points per game bring back a number of contributors. Senior LBs Mateo Jackson Lamond Fox along with CBs Jaylen Barnes and Shamond Fox will look to shutdown offenses again in the Virginia 5A South.

46 – Potomac Falls Panthers (2016 Record: 10 – 3) Head Coach: Paul Barnes, Conference: Virginia 5A

Potomac Falls is another squad who made it to the quarterfinals of the Virginia 5A playoffs. If the Panthers are going to make another deep run in the state playoffs Coach Barnes will look to Senior Virginia commit LB Grant Misch to lead a defense which had a pair of shutouts last season. On the other side of the ball Junior WR Bryson Riddick will lead a unit that posted 40 points or more points 5 times in 2016.

45 – Linganore Lancers (2016 Record: 7 – 4) Head Coach: Rick Conner, Conference: Maryland Class 3A

Coach Conner will be looking for his Lancers to continue to contend in the Central Maryland Conference. The RB duo of Senior Zamarre Snowden and Davon Butler look to help Senior QB Zach Willett to another playoff appearance. On defense Linganore Senior LB Luke Freeman leads a unit that had 2 shutouts in 2016.

44 – Lake Braddock (2016 Record: 11 – 2) Head Coach: Mike Dougherty, Conference: Virginia 6A

The Bruins are coming off a trip to the 6A state quarterfinals powered by a defense which allowed 12.6 points per contest. That unit is led by DBs Junior Youssof Hanifi and Senior Jordan Cobb. On offense Coach Dougherty will have Senior QB Jack Darcy and Junior RB Ben Dizon to replace the production 2016 Virginia Gatorade Player of the year RB Lamont Atkins (Virginia).

43 – Manchester Lancers (2016 Record: 11 – 2) Head Coach: Tom Hall, Conference: Virginia 6A

Coach Hall is looking for his Lancers to repeat as the Dominion Division champions and go deeper into the Virginia playoffs. An offense which averaged 36.3 points each Friday night brings back the duo of Senior WR Jonathan Rose and Junior QB Brendon Clark and frustrate defensive coordinators in the 6A South. On the other side of the ball Juniors CB Kwame Dehaney, LB Tim Hamilton, and FS Kei’Trel Clark will do their best to check offenses in Virginia.

42 – Collegiate Cougars (2016 Record: 8 – 2) Head Coach: Mark Palyo, Conference: VISAA I

2016 was an incredible bounce back season from the Cougars capped off by winning the VISAA I Conference. Senior WR Ayinde Budd returns to one of the conference’s most explosive offenses, which averaged 32.2 points per game.

(2016 Record: 7 – 4) Head Coach: Minoso Rodgers, Conference: DCIAA

First year Head Coach Minoso Rodgers takes over a program which is ranked 6^th in the nation’s capital according the MaxPreps. The first time Head Coach will look to build off the Knights appearance in the DCSAA playoffs powered by a defense which had 5 shutouts. Returning to the unit are Seniors DT Romello Leftwich, CB Kaylyn Gray, and Juniors DE Gabriel Clark, SS Tarajah Ruffin, and OLB Terryen Haywood.