It doesn't get any easier for the Saxons (0-3), who were thrashed by Fairfax last week, 27-0. But the team is back at home where it almost upset Robinson in Week 1 before falling late, 28-14.

The third-ranked Wildcats (3-0) remain unbeaten, but have been pushed the past two games. Centreville needed overtime to knock off West Springfield in Week 2 and held on for a 14-13 win against Woodson last week. The teams have played six times since Centreville opened in the 1988 and Langley has won once, in 1993. The Wildcats dominated last year, winning 44-0.

JEFFERSON at (7) CHANTILLY

The Chargers (3-0) are one of the region's most improved teams. The switch to a ground-oriented offense has paid immediate dividends; running backs Anthony Cordero and Marcus Bartley have combined to rush for 542 yards and eight touchdowns the first three weeks.

That does not bode well for Jefferson (0-3), which allowed Herndon to rush for 379 yards last week in a 35-0 loss.

FAIRFAX at (9) OAKTON

Ninth-ranked Oakton (2-1) has a clear mission tonight: stop Rebels running back Owen Schmitt. The region's second-leading rusher (485 yards) is the key to Fairfax's success.

However, stopping the run is Oakton's forte. The Cougars held Derrick Braziel and West Springfield to 139 yards last Friday after the Spartans amassed 309 the week before against Centreville.

Oakton's offense has also come to life and Pat Day, the Cougars' do-it-all quarterback, has emerged as one of the region's most versatile threats. Last week, Day rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown and also returned a punt 45 yards for a score in the Cougars' impressive 24-10 win over West Springfield.

WAKEFIELD at (10) WEST POTOMAC

The Wolverines have one final non-district tilt left before beginning Patriot District play. Tenth-ranked West Potomac (2-1) has recovered nicely from the opening-week loss to Mount Vernon, knocking off both Yorktown and Edison.

The Warriors (0-3, 0-1), meanwhile, have struggled against a tough schedule, including games against Westfield and McLean. Wakefield had trouble stopping Washington-Lee's running game in the district opener last week and will have its hands full again against the Wolverines, who have two of the area's top rushers in quarterback Darren Baker, eighth in the area with 318 yards, and running back Marcus Harrington, 17th with 263.

MARSHALL at LEE

The Lancers (1-2, 1-1) righted the ship last week with a gritty, 14-7 win against McLean after losing by double-digits in each of the first two weeks of play. Sophomore Eddie Robinson rushed for 224 yards in his first varsity start. Marshall (1-2) is looking to bounce back from a 35-0 loss to Edison.

WASHINGTON-LEE at FALLS CHURCH

Jaguars head coach Anthony Parker has said his team must improve its run defense, but the unit will be tested this week in its National District opener. Washington-Lee quarterback Sean Somlar and running back Aldwin Jones went for 126 and 163 yards, respectively, in Week 3. Falls Church (1-2, 0-0) has won the past two games against the Generals (1-2, 1-0) and five of the past six. Running back Frank Berchie scored the winning touchdown for the Jaguars in the fourth quarter of last year's game to give his team a 14-7 victory.

LAKE BRADDOCK at WEST SPRINGFIELD

The Bruins (1-2) defense will have to be at its best tonight in this Patriot District showdown. Lake Braddock's offense has just seven first downs and one touchdown after three weeks, while the defense has returned three interceptions for touchdowns.

West Springfield (1-2) cannot afford a third loss this early in the season if it hopes to make a playoff appearance for the first time in nine seasons. So far, the Spartans have been victimized by big plays: five of the nine touchdowns scored against covered 29 yards or more.