Shell-shocked.

That was Langley's first-half reaction to Robinson in Week 1 last season. The host Rams led, 42-7, by halftime and had four scoring plays that covered 34 yards or more. Langley eventually allowed 413 rushing yards and lost, 56-14. It was the start of a disappointing season that saw the Saxons finish 4-5 and out of the playoffs for the first time in three years.

Robinson won 11 of its next 12 games en route to the Group AAA Division 6 state title.

Langley enters 2002, Year 2 under Coach J.J. Hetman, with 18 returning starters, the most in the Northern Region. That experience should make tonight's game more competitive than it was a year ago.

``As a team, we're a little more mature now," Hetman said. ``It helps having Robinson [at Langley] and hopefully our kids have put last year's game behind them."

The early challenge for No. 1 Robinson is to break in some young players asked to fill roles previously held by program mainstays like Mike Imoh and Pat O'Meara. And they'll have to do so while sporting the standard bullseye that goes along with high school football's most coveted trophy.

``We know everybody is gunning for us," Rams tight end John Kinzer said. ``Everybody wants to knock off the state champs."

Many of the questions Robinson must answer come on offense. Compounding matters is an ankle injury bothering standout senior running back Chase Anastasio that is likely to keep him out of tonight's game. The Rams could line up with first-time starters at every offensive skill position besides tight end.

``Having as green a backfield as we do, we're faced with having to simplify things," Rams coach Mark Bendorf said.

Langley planned to have its entire offensive line from last season intact for the opener but injuries have altered that plan. Right tackle Steve Cummings broke a bone in his ankle Saturday and will be replaced by senior Jon Greenwich. Right tackle Aaron Charapp is dealing with a leg injury and is doubtful for tonight. Sophomore Joe Lyons, who played in Charapp's stead during both of Langley's scrimmages, will start if Charapp can't go.

While the Rams can rely on a nucleus that includes two-way lineman Adam Fassnacht, Kinzer and middle linebacker Blake Shubert, they expect a much stiffer test from the Saxons this time around.

``We caught [Langley] in the opener last year and they really weren't ready to play," Bendorf said. ``It won't be like that this year."

Lake Braddock at Centreville

Lake Braddock is the only team in the Northern Region besides Robinson to have any success against Centreville recently. The Bruins have won two of their last four meetings with the Wildcats.

But in Week 1 last season, the rivalry turned sour for Lake Braddock. Visiting Centreville methodically dismantled the Bruins, rushing 66 times for 308 yards in a 31-0 rout.

``It wasn't like Centreville had a lot of big plays," Bruins coach Marty Riddle painfully recollected. ``They just crammed the ball down our throats."

This season, both teams have altered their offensive philosophies. Second-ranked Centreville has scrapped the single wing in favor of a traditional, I-formation based attack more reliant on the pass. The goal is to spread the ball around a group of quick and talented skill players.

For Lake Braddock, four-receiver sets on first down graduated with quarterback B.J. Quigley. New starter Shawn Harrison will engineer a scheme more focused on the running game.

Defensively, Centreville coach Mike Skinner said three sophomores will get considerable playing time on a unit that has to replace nine starters. Skinner added that this team reminds him of the 1999 Wildcats, a young squad that blossomed into a region champ and state semifinalist.

``We've got some young kids and they are going to make their mistakes so it's going to take a little time," Skinner said. ``We'll be a better team at the end of the season than we are now."

Still, the tradition and success at Centreville has established the program as a region benchmark.

``Any time you play Centreville, you're going to find out what kind of team you have," Riddle said. ``If you can compete with them, you can compete with anyone in the region, normally."

Herndon at Hayfield

Is it fair to mention the playoffs in Week 1?

Fair or not, Hayfield's win over Herndon to start each of the last two seasons played a major role in the Hawks earning consecutive playoff berths and the Hornets missing the postseason.

``We're talking playoffs in Week 1 and there are definitely playoff implications for both teams," Hawks coach Billy Pugh said. ``When you play in Division 6, you need to win as many games as possible."

That same message has been relayed at Herndon.

``We've been going over that with our players since August 12," Herndon coach Tommy Meier said. ``They know all about this game and how significant it's been the last two years."

Big plays and turnovers doomed Herndon in 2001. The Hornets led, 3-0, near the end of the first half when Hawks wide receiver Robert Malone slipped a tackle and scored from 50 yards out. Hayfield linebacker Ian Pleasant returned a fumble 80 yards for a score shortly after halftime and Herndon never recovered. The Hawks went on to win, 22-3.

Tonight, No. 7 Hayfield again aims to utilize its speed at the skill positions to produce points and momentum. Quarterback Kyle Morgan has a versatile array of weapons at his disposal: running back Tyrone Simpson, wide receiver Adam Bush and the duo of Greg Lynah and Carlo Sandiego, each of whom is liable to line up at three positions.

``Hayfield has great players at the skill positions," Meier said. ``The game will come down to Herndon vs. those individuals and our 11 guys trying to contain those guys."

Specifically, the Hawks must concern themselves with Herndon's quartet of standout linebackers: Michael McDonald, Brandon Guyer, Kevin Grant and Brandon Daye.

``Herndon's linebackers run well and get to the football," Pugh said. ``We have to exploit how aggressive they are. That's probably the key to the game for us."