Football Top 20: Good Counsel, St. John’s, Freedom lead preseason ranks

Fall is on the horizon, which means it’s yet another year for the D.C. area to generate nationally ranked football programs and unveil future Division I standouts.

Rarely, in the season’s chaos, does the area produce a clear-cut, wire-to-wire No. 1 team. Unsurprisingly, three Washington Catholic Athletic Conference programs — Good Counsel, DeMatha and St. John’s — split time at the top in 2022.

The Cadets, the eventual WCAC champions, earned the No. 1 spot in our year-end rankings. But 2023 wipes everybody’s slate clean. So, with eight returning All-Met selections (and five of Maryland’s top 20 recruits, according to 247 Sports), Good Counsel will kick off this season as the area’s No. 1 team and the early favorite to win the WCAC. St. John’s begins the season at No. 2.

During the nonconference slate of August and September, local teams — including Good Counsel and St. John’s — will test their talent against other nationally ranked programs from across the country. This week, Archbishop Spalding, the reigning Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association “A” champion, will take on Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey. DeMatha will face Springfield (Ohio).

The area’s top public school champions — Freedom (Woodbridge) in Virginia Class 6 and Quince Orchard in Maryland 4A — will also test their limits after undefeated 2022 seasons. Freedom will play DeMatha and Richmond-area power Varina in September; Quince Orchard will take on Northern Virginia powers South County and Stone Bridge.

Prince George’s County rivals C.H. Flowers and Wise also find a home in the top half of the rankings after the Jaguars edged the Pumas twice in 2022. Madison, which has reached the Virginia Class 6 championship game in back-to-back seasons, begins its season at Stone Bridge.

(All records from last season.)

The Falcons brought back eight All-Met selections from a roster that came up just short in the WCAC semifinals last fall.

Next: Saturday at St. Edward (Ohio), 1 p.m.

The Cadets assume the task of attempting to three-peat in the WCAC, and the talent is there for another title.

Next: Saturday at American Heritage (Fla.), 8 p.m.

The Eagles return nearly every starter from last year’s state championship team that shattered Virginia’s scoring record.

Next: Saturday at Coolidge, 6 p.m.

Most of the Cavaliers’ core, including All-Met quarterback Malik Washington, is back after capturing an MIAA A conference title last fall.

Next: Friday vs. Don Bosco Prep (N.J.), 7 p.m.

Maryland’s top public school is unbeaten since 2019 and will stretch its competitive muscles in September against Virginia’s South County and Stone Bridge.

Next: Sept. 2 at South County, 5 p.m.

Anticipate another year of stalwart defense from the Stags, even after the graduation of All-Met Defensive Player of the Year Jason Moore.

Next: Saturday at Springfield (Ohio), 4 p.m.

The Jaguars have six of Maryland’s top 40 senior recruits, per 247 Sports, and could provide a fearsome challenge to other contenders in 4A.

Next: Sept. 1 at Norcom, 7 p.m.

Northern Virginia’s most consistent program begins its grueling nonconference slate against No. 10 Madison.

Next: Friday vs. No. 10 Madison, 7 p.m.

The Pumas have one of the area’s most dynamic offenses, which should serve them well against Prince George’s County opponents.

Next: Sept. 1 vs. Maury, 7 p.m.

The Warhawks were not a team to be trifled with down the stretch in 2022. They begin 2023 aiming to avenge last year’s last-second loss to Stone Bridge.

Next: Friday at No. 8 Stone Bridge, 7 p.m.

The Knights will aim to repeat as D.C. State Athletic Association Class AA champions behind five-star defensive lineman Dylan Stewart.

Next: Friday at Dunbar, 6 p.m.

The Hornets’ ground-and-pound approach brought them a Maryland 3A championship in 2022; despite graduating 22 seniors, they enter this season with the same lofty expectations.

Next: Sept. 1 vs. Einstein, 6:30 p.m.

The Eagles come off a ho-hum season with a real shot at rejoining the top class of the WCAC.

Next: Saturday at Archbishop Carroll, 2 p.m.

An impressive group of upperclassmen will have its work cut out against a taxing national schedule.

Next: Friday vs. St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m. at the St. James in Springfield

The reigning Maryland 4A/3A champion has earned a reputation as one of the top defensive teams in the area.

Next: Sept. 1 vs. Leonardtown

The Saints’ senior-laden roster enters this fall coming off its first undefeated season since 1968, which resulted in a MIAA B conference title.

Next: Friday vs. Georgetown Prep, 5 p.m.

The hard-nosed Maroon will begin the year as the favorite to repeat in the Interstate Athletic Conference.

Next: Sept. 2 at Hill School (Pa.), 2 p.m.

Expect the Jaguars to return to contention in Maryland after a rocky season.

Next: Sept. 1 at Watkins Mill, 7 p.m.

The Bobcats are still front-runners in the Cedar Run District after an undefeated regular season and early postseason exit last fall.

Next: Friday vs. Hylton, 7 p.m.

Despite an exodus of talent, Coach Chris Harden has high hopes for the reigning Turkey Bowl champions.

Next: Saturday at Bishop McNamara, 1 p.m.

On the bubble: Arundel, Coolidge, Fairfax, Paint Branch, South County