The Paul Monitor #7: Spring Tourney Questions

Okay, two things to get out of the way before we get started. First — yes, I know that it’s been way too long since I’ve updated this supposed “weekly” blog. You know how many rabid fans packed my email inbox with letter begging for the return of the Paul Monitor? Zero. So here’s the deal, I’m going to attempt to get this thing out at least four more times before the school year ends and you are going to attempt to care. Kapeesh? Good. 

Second — I’ve started two more weekly features on the website. The first is called “DigtalSports Poll” and its — wait for it — a weekly poll where I get to ask questions and you, the reader, gets to answer. The first poll asks which AAA high school in Prince William is having the best spring season. Right now Osbourn Park has a one-vote edge over Battlefield. So far we have 41 total votes. Let’s try and get it at least to 100 so I can feel loved. The next feature its called “Hot Links“, which takes a look at some of the best stories out of Prince William County that aren’t written by yours truly. I’m just like you — I consume everything relating to Prince William prep sports, from the Potomac News to the Washington Post. Every week I’m gonna give you my ten favorite stories. 

Alright, enough ******* of the product — let’s get down to business. I’m about to experience my first spring postseason in Prince William County and I have a few questions that I would like answered before all is said and done. 

Tuesday marked what seems like the 1,189th time that I had the Eagles and Yellow Jackets on my schedule only to see the game get postponed. It’s my own fault, I suppose, because I had a chance to check out their first meeting last week, but chose another game, knowing that I could always watch their second meeting. Of course Mother Nature hates me. I’m planning on going to the game on Thursday so let’s all hope for at least two hours of sunshine. 

No offense to Dan Sousa over in Loudoun County, but Cedar Run titles need to stay in Prince William. I’ve got nothing against the Vikings — or Culpeper, Fauquier and Liberty for that matter — but let’s pull the upset here. 

Much has been made of the Bobcats regional and national rankings. We’ve got them at No. 1 in the D.C. Metro Area and the USA Today/NFCA National poll has them at No. 11. The Bobcats will be the first to tell you that none of that matter unless they bring home some hardware — specifically a state title.

I don’t want to brag, but I’m kind of a lucky charm. Last Sunday marked my third year covering high school sports in Northern Virginia and to-date, I’ve seen a ton of titles, especially in the spring. Who’s gonna benefit from my awesomeness this year. Osbourn Park and Battlefield boys soccer are currently No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in our rankings. Woodbridge and Gar-Field aren’t too shabby either. OP’s baseball team could get it done. Same with Potomac, Woodbridge or Osbourn. What about AAA state runners-up Battlefield girls soccer? Or the Vikings girls soccer? There’s no lack of talent in Prince William this year. 

I’m gonna just put it out there, I have no idea how to cover these sports. I know that the site is really lacking in tennis and crew coverage and I’m looking to remedy that this week. Honestly, tennis is kinda overwhelming. There’s like 12 matches going on at the same time and nobody has numbers on their back and I don’t know why they say “love” instead of “zero”. I promise to at the very least attend some district finals. As for crew, I’ve pretty much missed the boat (pun!) this season. I will, however, be out at the VASRA State Championship Regatta on Saturday and have been promised the opportunity to film from a pontoon boat during some of the races. So either I get great footage and become a hero or I fall in the water and am embarrassed. Either way, I think it’s a win-win. 

I’ve never been one for Kirk and Spock — I’ve always sided with Luke Skywalker in the great nerd battle between Star Wars and Star Trek — but it seems like critics are really digging the new movie. I don’t know what to think, because Trek fans usually look like this, but the flick seems pretty cool. I might have to give it a shot. Gotta do something until Terminator comes out. As we all know, thinking robots are awesome will never go out of style.