It's still too early in the season for a game to be labeled a showdown.

But considering Edison and Yorktown have combined to win the past three National District titles, there is no doubting the importance of tonight's contest, a 7:30 start at Yorktown.

``It's been them and us the last couple years [in the regular season]," said Edison head coach Vaughan Lewis. ``Every year it's a very important game."

Yorktown was the district champion in 1999, the Eagles took the title in 2000 and the teams split last season, both finishing at 5-1.

The Patriots (1-2, 1-0) scored two quick touchdowns in the first quarter of last year's 21-9 victory, relying on a stellar defensive effort that allowed the Eagles just 201 yards total offense, 43 on the ground.

Of course, for all the importance of last year's game, neither Edison nor Yorktown won the Northern Region. That honor went to Mount Vernon, the third playoff team out of the National District, which knocked off Edison in a region semifinal and beat Madison for the title.

As in the Lee game two weeks ago, Edison (2-1, 0-0) will face an offense based on deception in Yorktown's Wing-T. The various fakes and misdirection the Patriots employ may prevent the Eagles from relying too much on their strength as a defense, the use of their quickness to swarm to the football.

But if Edison can maintain its discipline, as it did against Lee in its 27-6 win two weeks ago, then Lewis believes his team has a great shot at winning.

Despite losing to West Potomac last week, Yorktown again moved the ball well. But turnovers and big plays by the Wolverine offense hurt its cause.

``Watching the film of the West Potomac game, the score and what we saw on film were not indicative of each other," Lewis said. ``Yorktown ran the ball well, moved the ball well ... They're a lot better team than I thought they'd be considering how young they are."

It's a reversal of roles from last season, when Edison was the team integrating youngsters throughout its lineup with just four returning starters.

``That hurt us last year," Lewis said. ``Hopefully this year that will be to our advantage."

MOUNT VERNON at STUART

It is the National District opener for both teams. Mount Vernon (1-2) is looking to rebound from two close losses, first to T.C. Williams in Week 2, 20-13, and then to Hayfield last week, 24-21.

But the Majors will have to do it without their top two running backs. Sophomore Mario Coleman, who has rushed for 389 yards on 30 carries in his first three games, has a torn knee ligament and will be out at least two weeks. Joey Sable was more seriously hurt during the Hayfield game. The junior tore knee ligaments and suffered some ligament damage and chipped bones in his ankle, as well. He is gone for at least a month.

Sophomore Kevin Bell, who rushed for 76 yards on eight carries against Hayfield, and senior Curtis Puryear have both seen time at running back this year for Mount Vernon and will see their roles expand along with Tyler Martin, another sophomore.

The Majors defense may have to pick up the slack. That unit is being led by linebacker Rob Valentine, who has made 30 unassisted tackles this year, almost half of those for a loss.

Stuart (0-3) is just happy to get into district play. The Raiders' three non-district opponents, McLean, Oakton and Madison, are a combined 7-2 so far this year. Mount Vernon has won two in a row in the series, which has been relatively equal in recent years with the Majors winning six of the last 10.

(6) MADISON at W.T. WOODSON

Woodson has come close to earning a breakthrough victory the last two weeks, but came up just short each time. This week, the Cavaliers (1-2) get another chance when they host No. 6 Madison (3-0) in the Liberty District opener for both teams.

Both defenses have been outstanding so far. The Warhawks have allowed just 12 points in three games. Meanwhile, Woodson has held its own against strong competition. Most of Lake Braddock's 31 points in Week 2 came off turnovers or on special teams and the Cavs held Centreville to two touchdowns last week.

Madison's double-wing offense will be tough to stop, however, as it spreads the carries among a host of talented backs. Andrew Baird, Omar Hashish, and Carl Gravette all have more than 150 yards rushing already.

``They've got some big kids up front and with them it's always three yards and a cloud of dust," Woodson head coach Mark Cox said. ``They control the ball well and do such a good job when they do decide to throw it."

Madison quarterback Johnny Ayers is the area's second-rated passer, completing 18-of-29 passes for 321 yards.

Woodson's offense looked much improved last week. Quarterback Mike Solomon made several big throws, running back Stephen Niez has been impressive and the offensive line matched up physically with Centreville despite being undersized.

Cox believes it's time for his team to build on its play the past two weeks now that the non-district part of the schedule is behind it.

``This is more important than the Centreville game," Cox said. ``Madison was the district champ last year so it's going to be tough ... But it's a big game, especially the way things are going in our district. Every team has a chance each week."

McLEAN at SOUTH LAKES

It's hard to find many bright spots in a 30-0 loss, but the Seahawks (2-1, 1-0) could point to at least one after last week's game against Robinson: the play of its defense.

While allowing 30 points doesn't usually indicate a strong performance, South Lakes held the Rams to negative passing yards and the defense played well enough to keep the team close before wearing down in the second half.

The task assigned to the unit this week is to contain McLean's option rushing attack.

``McLean's an option team and they'll pose a serious problem for us," said South Lakes head coach Joe Trabucco. ``Hopefully we'll play sound defensively and know our assignments."

The Highlanders lost to Lee last week, 14-7, but the score doesn't tell the whole story. Four times, McLean drove inside the Lancer 10-yard line and four times it came away without any points, twice because of turnovers.

``We did everything we could to give that game away, up and down the field," Highlander head coach Joe Muskett said.

McLean will have to take advantage of its opportunities this week against a solid South Lakes defense, led by lineman David Lansdowne, who has seven sacks and 20 tackles in three games.

``They're real good at the skill positions, sound defensively ... they're sound all the way across the board," Muskett said.

McLean won last year's meeting, 36-22, the first between the two teams since 1993. South Lakes has won three of the five games played in this series since 1990.