I’ll give it a go
1. Robo-Easy
2. Madison- When healthy, they’re second best
3. Freedom- They beat Riverside. No way they’re not top 5
4. Yorktown- They’re an OTL from being my number 2
5. Mclean- Only ranked here so people don’t get mad at me, they will lose to Langley
6. Langley- I bet this is the lowest I have them ranked all season.
7. Battlefield- What do they do the first 2 months of the season? Pizza parties?
8. Oakton- Lost, but westfield is not bad. If they played the teams below them, they’d win
9. West Po- Not enough love for the boys
10. Hayfield- Nobody else deserves 10 and they’re undefeated.

South County, Westfield, Woodson, Chantilly

Anonymous wrote:I would say the rankings are very fair.

Two close calls and can make a case for either:
Maybe a coin flip for the Madison/McLean spots. Personally I would put McLean above Madison, (and no not with either school) but wins are wins.
I would also flip Hayfield and Langley. 5-0 (1 decent win) vs 3-3 (0 quality/decent wins).

Oakton at #10, the loss last week completely turned me off of them, but who else would be 10 really?

Only real head scratcher to me is the FSR- Dominion "decent win" categorization. I think Dominion is getting a lot of credit for past seasons and very average this year. Looking at the schedule, I see them finishing 7-7 on the year. Loss to FSR by 1 , blow out by Independence by 6 and 1 and 2 goal wins against average Loudoun County HS and Wood grove teams. FSR SHOULD be beating them and by more then 1 goal.

I agree Madison and McLean were tough. Yorktown win for Madison tipped the scales. McLean just needs to beat someone good. If they win both this week they will probably be #2 next week.

Could easily flip Hayfield and Langley, but I watched the Hayfield/AC game and Hayfield just looked like a bad team. Game was close and AC is really weak - they lost to W-L. I think Langley would beat AC by 10.

I didn't love Oakton either but they played Yorktown pretty well and beat Patriot and the Also Considered teams all have some really bad losses. Oakton more got in by default.

As for Dominion, criteria for Decent Win was against a team in the 10-15 range. Dominion is down over last year for sure but still think they beat a Woodson or Chantilly team and would slot in the 10-15 range.

Anonymous wrote:Why is Briar Woods a quality win for Freedom and a decent win for Battlefield?

Probably because Battlefield is ranked higher

I would say the rankings are very fair.

Two close calls and can make a case for either:
Maybe a coin flip for the Madison/McLean spots. Personally I would put McLean above Madison, (and no not with either school) but wins are wins.
I would also flip Hayfield and Langley. 5-0 (1 decent win) vs 3-3 (0 quality/decent wins).

Oakton at #10, the loss last week completely turned me off of them, but who else would be 10 really?

Only real head scratcher to me is the FSR- Dominion "decent win" categorization. I think Dominion is getting a lot of credit for past seasons and very average this year. Looking at the schedule, I see them finishing 7-7 on the year. Loss to FSR by 1 , blow out by Independence by 6 and 1 and 2 goal wins against average Loudoun County HS and Wood grove teams. FSR SHOULD be beating them and by more then 1 goal.

Anonymous wrote:Is there a livestream for the McLean game today?

The games are sometimes streamed on Sidwell's YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SidwellFriendsAthletics

Is there a livestream for the McLean game today?

Anonymous wrote:Agree. I am unapologetically a don’t sleep on McLean Dad but I think this week will be a good barometer of where they stack up.

For the record, I think McLean is a really good team and one of the few teams that could beat Robinson. I just don't think that they have done enough yet. Big week for them.

Agree. I am unapologetically a don’t sleep on McLean Dad but I think this week will be a good barometer of where they stack up.

Anonymous wrote:Why is Briar Woods a quality win for Freedom and a decent win for Battlefield?

I'm glad someone read it closely enough to catch that!

Anonymous wrote:Why is Briar Woods a quality win for Freedom and a decent win for Battlefield?

Should have been a quality win for both. Was thinking that quality wins should have the most weight (wins against teams clearly inside the top-10, or that would be top-10 if they were in Class 6), decent wins next (wins against teams in the 10-15 range), and quality losses last (close losses to teams inside the top-10). Briar Woods lost to Freedom in overtime and beat Patriot. They would probably be in the 9 spot ahead of Hayfield.

Once again these rankings/analysis are comprehensive and balanced and tough to argue with at all. Great job as usual. Love the inclusion of Quality Wins/Losses and think right on with every slot. Especially with noting number of critical/key games this week that should settle some of debate...

Great work and appreciate all the effort/insight...

Why is Briar Woods a quality win for Freedom and a decent win for Battlefield?

Missed a couple scores in the first post.

Week 5 -2024 VA Boys Class 6 Rankings

1. Robinson (7-0)

Results: Def. Madison 14-5, Def. West Potomac 17-5

Analysis: The Rams crushed a depleted Madison squad and it was never close. Robinson outplayed Madison in every aspect of the game. Great faceoff play, tough defense and a number of guys who can put the ball in the cage makes them the most complete team in Class 6, and possibly the Commonwealth. This Robinson team is for real, having now defeated #2-#4 head-to-head. With all of its tough games front-loaded on the schedule, Robinson could easily go 14-0 in the regular season and enter the State tournament undefeated, given the weakness in Region C this year.

Quality Wins: Madison, Yorktown, McLean, Langley
Decent Wins: West Potomac
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/12 @ South County

2. Freedom South Riding (5-0)

Results: Def. Briar Woods 13-12 (OT), Def. Riverside 10-9 (OT)

Analysis: Freedom won a OT thriller against a solid Briar Woods team, and followed that up with a stunning overtime victory against Riverside. Reportedly Freedom had not previously beaten either team. Riverside was playing without their star FOGO and looked sluggish all night, but nothing should take away from this victory, which vaults Freedom into the contender discussion and tightens up the Region B race substantially. Three very winnable games this week should get the Eagles off to an incredible 8-0 start. They have the second best resume at this point in the season.

Quality Wins: Riverside, Briar Woods
Decent Wins: Dominon
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/8 vs. Colonial Forge, 4/11 @ Osbourn Park, 4/12 @ John Champe

3. Madison (4-4)

Results: Lost to Robinson 14-5, Def. Centreville 17-0

Analysis: As with Broadneck, Madison looked way overmatched against a very strong Robinson team. The defense, missing their all-State LSM, could not keep up with Robinson’s dodgers, and offense got few possessions and could not capitalize on their chances. The Warhawks will need to tighten up their D and figure out how to counter Robinson’s faceoff advantage if they hope to repeat. Their schedule gets easier from here on out and Madison has a chance to win out. Road trip game with Atlee on Saturday should be interesting, especially if Madison plays as poorly as it did against Robinson.

Quality Wins: Yorktown
Decent Wins: West Potomac
Quality Losses: Riverside, Severna Park

This Week: 4/8 vs. Chantilly, 4/13 @ Atlee

4. McLean (6-1)

Results: Def. W-L 16-2, Def. Wakefield 20-3

Analysis: McLean won its two games with ease and has raced out to a 6-1 start, with its’ lone loss a 7-6 defeat at the hands of #1 Robinson. The defense continues to be the highlight, as McLean is only giving up four goals per game on average. The Highlanders have a much tougher week ahead with games against an improved Sidwell Friends team and cross-town rival Langley. The don’t sleep on McLean crowd will not like this ranking but they haven’t beaten anyone of note yet, although their chance is coming this week. Two wins could vault them into the #2 spot.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Chantilly, Woodson
Quality Losses: Robinson

This Week: 4/8 @ Sidwell Friends, 4/12 @ Langley

5. Yorktown (4-2)

Results: 4/2 vs. TJ (Postponed), Def. Patriot 11-4, Def. Marshall 15-0

Analysis: Yorktown only ended up playing two games and won them both easily. Marshall was never a doubt but Yorktown cruised past Patriot without breaking a sweat. The Patriots are looking strong heading into a key matchup with Langley on Monday.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Oakton, Patriot
Quality Losses: Robinson, Madison

This Week: 4/8 @ Langley

6. Battlefield (2-0)

Results: No games

Analysis: Battlefield did not play and their schedule shows them with a full month off before their next game on 4/15. We don’t know enough yet about this team to rank them any higher. The Bobcats better get to work and figure out how to score more goals or Freedom could dethrone them later in April and take the Region B #1 seed.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Briar Woods, Independence
Quality Losses: None

This Week: No games

7. Cosby (2-1)

Results: No games

Analysis: Cosby had the week off for Spring Break. They face a 4-0 Manchester team this week that should provide one of their toughest tests in Region A.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: None
Quality Losses: Atlee

This Week: 4/10 vs. Manchester

8. Langley (3-3)

Results: Def. Herndon 17-5

Analysis: Langley beat a struggling Herndon team to right the ship after three consecutive losses. The Saxon boosters keep trying to prop this team up but we just aren’t seeing enough from them. They can beat up on the bad teams but can they beat anyone good? This week is make-or-break week for Langley with Yorktown and McLean both coming to visit. Langley could make a big move up or fall from the rankings entirely.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: None
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/8 vs. Yorktown, 4/12 vs. McLean

9. Hayfield (5-0)

Results: Def. Alexandria City 11-7, Def. Lewis 21-3

Analysis: Hayfield played a much closer than expected game against a weak Alexandria City team that has us wondering again if they are nothing more than the product of a soft schedule. Still, they will almost certainly go undefeated now and deserve a spot unless someone can knock them out.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Chantilly
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/8 vs. Annandale, 4/11 vs. TJ

10. Oakton (4-2)

Results: Def. John Champe 10-2, Lost to Westfield 6-5

Analysis: Oakton dropped an almost unforgiveable game to Westfield that nearly knocked them out of the rankings. They looked completely flat and uninspired. South Lakes could give them problems this week if they don’t turn things around quickly.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Woodson
Quality Losses: Yorktown

This Week: 4/8 vs. South Lakes

Also Considered: Chantilly, Patriot, South County, West Potomac, Woodson

Week 5 -2024 VA Boys Class 6 Rankings

1. Robinson (7-0)

Results: Def. Madison 14-5, Def. West Potomac 17-5

Analysis: The Rams crushed a depleted Madison squad and it was never close, outplaying Madison in every aspect of the game. Robinson absolutely destroyed West Potomac team that some are still hyping up as a top-10 team. Great faceoff play, tough defense and a number of guys who can put the ball in the cage makes them the most complete team in Class 6, and possibly the Commonwealth. This Robinson team is for real, having now defeated #2-#4 head-to-head. With all of its tough games front-loaded on the schedule, Robinson should easily go 14-0 in the regular season and enter the State tournament undefeated, given the weakness in Region C this year.

Quality Wins: Madison, Yorktown, McLean, Langley
Decent Wins: West Potomac
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/12 @ South County

2. Freedom South Riding (5-0)

Results: Def. Briar Woods 13-12 (OT), Def. Riverside 10-9 (OT)

Analysis: Freedom won a OT thriller against a solid Briar Woods team, and followed that up with a stunning overtime victory against Riverside. Reportedly Freedom had not previously beaten either team, and we can't remember a Class 6 team beating Riverside in an official game. Riverside was playing without their star FOGO and looked sluggish all night, but nothing should take away from this victory, which vaults Freedom into the contender discussion and tightens up the Region B race substantially. Three very winnable games this week should get the Eagles off to an incredible 8-0 start. Despite being somewhat unknown and not a traditional power, they have the second best resume at this point in the season and deserve the #2 spot.

Quality Wins: Riverside, Briar Woods
Decent Wins: Dominion
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/8 vs. Colonial Forge, 4/11 @ Osbourn Park, 4/12 @ John Champe

3. Madison (4-4)

Results: Lost to Robinson 14-5, Def. Centreville

Analysis: As with Broadneck, Madison looked way overmatched against a very strong Robinson team. The defense, missing their all-State LSM, could not keep up with Robinson’s dodgers, and offense got few possessions and could not capitalize on their chances. The Warhawks will need to tighten up their D and figure out how to counter Robinson’s faceoff advantage if they hope to repeat. Their schedule gets easier from here on out and Madison has a chance to win out. Road trip game with Atlee on Saturday should be interesting, especially if Madison plays as poorly as it did against Robinson.

Quality Wins: Yorktown
Decent Wins: West Potomac
Quality Losses: Riverside, Severna Park

This Week: 4/8 vs. Chantilly, 4/13 @ Atlee

4. McLean (6-1)

Results: Def. W-L 16-2, Def. Wakefield

Analysis: McLean won its two games with ease and has raced out to a 6-1 start, with its’ lone loss a 7-6 defeat at the hands of #1 Robinson. The defense continues to be the highlight, as McLean is only giving up four goals per game on average. The Highlanders have a much tougher week ahead with games against an improved Sidwell Friends team and cross-town rival Langley. The don’t sleep on McLean crowd will not like this ranking but they haven’t beaten anyone of note yet, although their chance is coming this week. Two wins could vault them into the #2 spot.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Chantilly, Woodson
Quality Losses: Robinson

This Week: 4/8 @ Sidwell Friends, 4/12 @ Langley

5. Yorktown (4-2)

Results: 4/2 vs. TJ (Postponed), Def. Patriot 11-4, Def. Marshall 15-0

Analysis: Yorktown only ended up playing two games and won them both easily. Marshall was never a doubt but Yorktown cruised past Patriot without breaking a sweat. The Patriots are looking strong heading into a key matchup with Langley on Monday.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Oakton, Patriot
Quality Losses: Robinson, Madison

This Week: 4/8 @ Langley

6. Battlefield (2-0)

Results: No games

Analysis: Battlefield did not play and their schedule shows them with a full month off before their next game on 4/15. We don’t know enough yet about this team to rank them any higher. The Bobcats better get to work and figure out how to score more goals or Freedom could dethrone them later in April and take the Region B #1 seed.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Briar Woods, Independence
Quality Losses: None

This Week: No games

7. Cosby (2-1)

Results: No games

Analysis: Cosby had the week off for Spring Break. They face a 4-0 Manchester team this week that should provide one of their toughest tests in Region A.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: None
Quality Losses: Atlee

This Week: 4/10 vs. Manchester

8. Langley (3-3)

Results: Def. Herndon 17-5

Analysis: Langley beat a struggling Herndon team to right the ship after three consecutive losses. The Saxon boosters keep trying to prop this team up but we just aren’t seeing enough from them. They can beat up on the bad teams but can they beat anyone good? This week is make-or-break week for Langley with Yorktown and McLean both coming to visit. Langley could make a big move up or fall from the rankings entirely.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: None
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/8 vs. Yorktown, 4/12 vs. McLean

9. Hayfield (5-0)

Results: Def. Alexandria City 11-7, Def. Lewis 21-3

Analysis: Hayfield played a much closer than expected game against a weak Alexandria City team that has us wondering again if they are nothing more than the product of a soft schedule. Still, they will almost certainly go undefeated now and deserve a spot unless someone can knock them out.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Chantilly
Quality Losses: None

This Week: 4/8 vs. Annandale, 4/11 vs. TJ

10. Oakton (4-2)

Results: Def. John Champe 10-2, Lost to Westfield 6-5

Analysis: Oakton dropped an almost unforgiveable game to Westfield that nearly knocked them out of the rankings. They looked completely flat and uninspired. South Lakes could give them problems this week if they don’t turn things around quickly.

Quality Wins: None
Decent Wins: Woodson
Quality Losses: Yorktown

This Week: 4/8 vs. South Lakes

Also Considered: Chantilly, Patriot, South County, West Potomac, Woodson

Anonymous wrote:6A Ranks
1. Robo- State champs. Absolutely no way they screw it up this year .
2. Madison- I don’t care about the robo loss much, believe they were missing their two best players.
3. Yorktown- Still very very good.
4. Langley- Games vs MD schools don’t count. Sorry Mclean moms, still think they’re better.
5. Battlefield-Would be nice if they felt like playing a lacrosse game every now and then.
6. Freedom SR- Impressive win, probably should have them higher, but I just won’t know for sure until they play Battlefield and Oakton.
7. Mclean- Good enough to beat anyone, but gonna need more than Ws over Woodson and Chantilly to move them up.
8. Hayfield?- I mean they’ve got a couple decent wins. They’ll go undefeated playing the school for the blind 7 times in a row to close the year.
9. Oakton- Bad loss, still in my top 10.
10. West Po- They scored 13 on madison and they beat South County so why not.

HMs: Patriot, South County, Woodson, Westfield, Chantilly, all of the southern teams that exist only to be sacrificed to Robinson in the state playoffs.

Obviously these rankings are 100% fact and if you disagree you know nothing about lacrosse.

Fill West Potomac and Hayfield and I would concur. Freedom's win over Riverside was solid, but still think#6 is a good spot for them behind those other 5.