Class 6 Top Ten - #10 South County

Throughout the month of August, VirginiaPreps.com will begin previewing the upcoming 2019 High School Football season. As part of our comprehensive coverage, we will be counting down the Top Ten Rankings for each classification.

What to Know: Rebounding from a 2-4 start, South County went on to win five in a row, including back-to-back victories over Patriot District rival Lake Braddock before falling to W.T. Woodson 20-10 in the second round of the playoffs. Interestingly enough, the 251 points scored in 2018 were their fewest in eight seasons under Head Coach Gerry Pannoni, whereas the 177 points allowed marked the least they've given up in that stretch. With six starters slated back on defense, the potential is there to be even stinger on that side of the ball.

Five players chosen 2nd Team All-Region 6C return, headlined by senior TE/DL Zion Dayne (6-3, 240), a Yale commit. Dayne is the son of former NFL running back and Wisconsin Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne. Another player with great bloodlines is sophomore WR Brock Spalding (5-10, 165), the younger brother of record-setting pass catcher Dillon Spalding, who's now at James Madison University. Senior QB Matt Dzierski (5-10, 180), a two-time 2nd Team All-Conference performer, directs a passing attack that showed promise in the off-season by going 6-1 at Frostburg State's 7 on 7 tournament.

Dzierski not only gets help with Dayne and Spalding, but senior WR Joshawn Lewis (5-10, 160) is a weapon in both the passing and return game, while junior RB's Charlie Miska (5-11, 195) and Keshawn Toran (5-8, 170) make up a formidable ground game. Seniors Jarrod Baier (6-0, 225) and Dayshawn Coleman (6-3, 280) bring experience on the o-line. Even better might be the d-line with All-Region performers in Dayne and fellow senior Harris Khan (6-2, 220).

In the middle of the defense at linebacker, Nico Asmar (5-11, 185) is a relentless, high-motor player who recorded a team-high 152 tackles as a junior. Starting safeties Kyle Medlock (5-10, 170) and Max Rocke (5-8, 160), both seniors, anchor the secondary.

Schedule-wise, the Stallions are tested right off the bat with two perennial playoff squads in Woodbridge and Hayfield. If they get to October without any significant injures that test their depth, look for South County to be in position to claim a high seed for the playoffs as their November 8th regular season finale at Lake Braddock may very well determine who gets home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Final Class 6 Rankings for 2018:

#1 - Manchester (15-0)

#2 - Freedom (13-2)

#3 - Westfield (13-1)

#4 - Colonial Forge (11-1)

#5 - Ocean Lakes (13-1)

#6 - Oscar Smith (11-2)

#7 - Madison (10-3)

#8 - W.T. Woodson (11-2)

#9 - Hayfield (10-2)

#10 - Cox (9-3)

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