Traveling provides early-season tests for D.C. powers such as Friendship Collegiate: In the early weeks of the high school football season, some of the more ambitious and competitive teams in the area will venture outside of their hometowns and comfort zones for a chance at a strong nonconference victory.
For D.C.’s best teams, these first few weeks are a chance to prove the strength of football in the District. This year, Wilson will open its season with a trip to Pittsburgh to play Woodland Hills, Ballou will face Maryland private school Avalon and H.D. Woodson will have an early-season test in West Virginia. Friendship Collegiate will face Champe, a Loudoun County power, on Friday night.
“We’re always looking for different experiences for our kids,” Friendship Coach Mike Hunter said. “What we’re trying to do is get them through school and to college, where they’ll be with all types of kids not from D.C. So the more we can expose them to things outside of their area, the better.”