PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 29 Stone Bridge

29. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.)

Last season’s record: 14-1, Division 5 champion

Coach: Mickey Thompson

Key players: DE/TE Zach Thompson (6-5, 255, Sr.), DE/TE Brian Slay (6-3, 275, Sr.), OL/DL David Wang (6-2, 295, Sr.), QB Patrick Thompson (6-2, 210, Sr.), LB Mike Olson (6-4, 215, Sr.), RB/DB Daniel Allen (5-11, 185, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Defense front seven, QB

Question mark: Depth

Outlook: Six offensive and eight defensive starters are back for the Bulldogs, who won their first state championship last season. Coach Thompson lists six Division I starters in the senior class including four already committed to ACC schools. Zach Thompson (Wake Forest) had 42 solo tackles and was all-state as a junior. Slay (N.C. State) also was all-state with 49 solo stops. Wang (Virginia Tech) was all-state at offensive guard. Olson (Wake Forest) is a former safety who has added weight and developed into a standout linebacker. On offense, Patrick Thompson returns as signal caller in Stone Bridge’s highly productive combination single-wing/spread attack. He threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns with only seven interceptions as a junior.

Toughest games: Aug. 29 vs. No. 82 West Springfield, Sept. 5 vs. Robinson