Washington DC High School Football is one of the most competitive and intense prep football leagues in the country. With so much talent within the city and some of the best high school coaches leading their respective teams, this 2022 season should be no different. There are multiple teams that will be looking to make a statement this upcoming fall. Here’s a quick look at some of the top players you need to know about… And because we love our readers so much, we’ve created a helpful little guide on where you can catch all of your favorite local high school football teams this fall. Whether you’re a parent, student or just someone who loves watching fierce competition on a Friday night – stay tuned for our full list of DC football games!
| Event: | Washington, DC School Football |
| Start Date: | August 2022 |
| Broadcast: | NFHS Network |
| State: | Washington, DC |
| Live Stream: | Watch Here |
What You Need to Know About Washington DC High School Football
DC football is best known for its intensity and speed. The players tend to be smaller than their counterparts in other parts of the country, but they make up for it with tenacity. This is not a game to be taken lightly, and every team must be treated with respect. Because the teams are smaller, the competition level is extremely high. There are several teams that are perennial powers, and even the less successful ones are not to be overlooked. The game is played in the fall, and games are sometimes played in very bad weather. Due to the high level of play, there is always a high level of interest in the game, including from the media. The city’s most prestigious high school football league, the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC), has been around for over 50 years. It consists of 12 schools in and around the DC area (mostly in Maryland and Virginia). Many of these schools have a rich football tradition and are also academically elite.
St. John’s College HS Hawks: Defending Champs and On Track for a Repeat
The St John’s College HS Hawks look poised to defend their title as champions in the WCAC. They have some of the best talent in the league, including star players like quarterback Jake Browning (son of the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback) and running back Nate Craig-Myers Jr. Adding to that, they have the best coach in the league, Justin Tarr, at the helm. St John’s has made the playoffs every year since 2011, and this fall does not look to be any different. St John’s has won three straight WCAC titles, and they look to be on track for a fourth. They have one of the most dominant offenses in the area, averaging over 40 points per game. They are led by quarterback Jake Browning, who has been a starter since his freshman year. St John’s has been so dominant in recent years because the coaches have had time to develop the team. For example, Browning has been on the team for four years, and many of the other starters have been there for three or more years. This has allowed the team to get stronger each year.
Ballou HS Bulldogs: Coming Off a Blockbuster Season
The Ballou HS Bulldogs are coming off one of the best seasons in program history. They finished the season with an 11-2 record, and many of their games came down to the wire. They even played in a state championship game, falling 0-29 to St John’s College HS. Now, the Bulldogs have some fierce players returning this fall, including quarterback Anthony V. Brown, wide receiver/defensive back Jaden Newby and running back Khalil Hyndman. Ballou lost many players to graduation, but they also added some key transfers. This will help to keep the Bulldogs competitive in the league, but it is unlikely that they will be able to overtake the defending champions. Ballou’s strength lies in its defense. It ranked No. 7 in the state of Maryland last season in points allowed, giving up just 14.8 points per game. It allowed only two teams to score more than two touchdowns, and it shut out three opponents. Ballou’s weakness is its offense. It is not very effective at moving the ball, scoring just 19.8 points per game.
Dunbar HS Eagles: A Tradition of Success
The Dunbar HS Eagles are one of the most successful teams in the DC area. The last time the Eagles did not finish in the top three in the league was back in 2002, when they finished as the runner up. Dunbar has been led by coach Tyrone Wheatley since 2007, and he has kept the team competitive year in and year out. Dunbar has some star players returning this fall, including running back/defensive back Jerome Ford, wide receiver/safety Trevon Sidney and defensive lineman Trevor Brown. The team is also expecting some key transfers to come in, helping to bolster their roster even further. Dunbar’s strength lies in its offense, which has averaged over 34 points per game in each of the past three seasons. The Eagles hope to continue this success with the return of quarterback Chevan Cogswell, who was injured towards the end of last season.
Cardozo HS Knights: Looking to Rebuild After a Shocking Loss in 2018
The Cardozo HS Knights are coming off a surprising end to their 2018 season. After going undefeated in the regular season, the team lost to St John’s College HS in the DCIAA semifinals. This loss has led to some changes for the Knights, including a new coach. Cardozo has hired Charles Clark, who is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, including former Georgetown Hoyals signal-caller and current Los Angeles Ram, Jared Hoying. Cardozo has some talented players, including running back Juwan Flowers, wide receiver/defensive back Daquan Crumble, defensive lineman Keenan Ellis and defensive back Jordan Harris. The Knights look to be competitive in the league, but they will likely finish towards the bottom of the standings. Cardozo has a good defense, but the team has been inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball. They scored an average of just 19.6 points per game, but they allowed 33.1 points per game. They ranked No. 30 in the state of Maryland in points allowed, giving up an average of 28.6 points per game.
Wilson HS Warriors: Coming Off a Blockbuster Season
The Wilson HS Warriors are coming off a fantastic season in which they went 11-2 and made it to the semifinals. Now, they have some key players returning this fall, including quarterback Jalen Green, running back/defensive back Jayden Curtain and wide receiver/defensive back Ronald Humphrey. The Warriors have a good defense, but their strength lies in their offense. They scored an average of 34.5 points per game last season, which should help them to remain in contention for a playoff spot. Even though Wilson has an exciting core of players, the team has had some turnover due to graduation. This may hurt the Warriors in the long run. Wilson’s defense is also not very strong, as it gave up an average of 33.7 points per game. This will need to be addressed if the Warriors hope to remain competitive in the league.
Final Words
The Washington DC high school football season is approaching quickly, and fans are already beginning to mark their calendars. From the defending champions to those looking to make a statement, there’s plenty of excitement in the air. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter below, so we can keep you up-to-date on all the latest news and game information! Now, if you’re one of those people who loves to watch football games but also hates missing them due to work, school or other obligations, then you’re in luck! We’ve created a helpful guide where you can find information about all of the upcoming D.C. football games. Enjoy the games!
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