Weekend Football Predictions: DCSportsFan vs. AI

WCAC Football Schedule & Standings; IAC Football Schedule & Standings

It’s mid-October in the DMV, which means three things. 

1. The Nobadeer sandwich at Jetties is starting to trend
2. Nick’s Diner in Wheaton is packed to the brim every morning and…
3. High school football is about to begin league play. 

When DCSporstFan entered the high school sports scene back in 2005, there wasn’t much competition online. The Washington Post had a few scores, sites like Digital Sports launched behind private equity firms but, overall, content was few and far between.

Twenty years later, the internet is ablaze with terrible content. Nothing seems real and that is mainly related to the rise of AI. So we thought…..let’s challenge AI to see who can predict the outcomes of a handful of games each week. 

So we are officially introducing DCSportsFan vs. AI – Game Scores & Predictions. Here are the seven matchups this weekend we picked. Updated scores and standings are below the predictions. 

Gonzaga vs. Bishop McNamara

What AI Thinks: 

• Pick: Gonzaga
• Projected Score: 24 – 14
• Confidence Level: ★★★★☆ (High)
• Rationale: Gonzaga consistently fields one of the top teams in the WCAC. McNamara has shown growth, but they’ve struggled against top-tier competition. Expect Gonzaga’s defense to create pressure and capitalize on turnovers.

What DCSportsFan Thinks:

• Pick: Gonzaga 35, McNamara 14
• Rationale: If Gonzaga loses this game, the Eagles might as well close up shop for the year and start talking about basketball. Gonzaga invests too much in their football program to lose to a WCAC program that should really be competing in the Metro League. 
• Irrelevant Prediction: Randy the bike rider will make a surprise appearance despite rumors that he passed years ago. He will eat the ketchup and mustard packets like the good old days.  

Landon vs. Georgetown Prep

What AI Thinks:

• Pick: Georgetown Prep
• Projected Score: 28 – 21
• Confidence Level: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
• Rationale: Georgetown Prep has the edge in recent form and roster depth, but Landon is scrappy and often plays tough in rivalry games. Expect a close one, with Prep pulling ahead late.

What DCSportsFan Thinks:

• Pick: Landon 24, Georgetown Prep 23 

• Rationale: Sure, Landon has played a cupcake schedule, but the word on the street is that Prep’s on-the-field problems could be directly related to their widely speculated off-the-field problems. You also can’t lose to Eastern at home and be taken seriously. This isn’t the same Rambler program that battled St. John’s in front of 50,000 people at D.C. Stadium. 
• Irrelevant Prediction: There will be 2 fights at Hank Deitel’s after the game. 

Ireton vs. Bishop O’Connell

What AI Thinks: 

• Pick: Bishop O’Connell
• Projected Score: 21 – 17
• Confidence Level: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
• Rationale: O’Connell has a more balanced offense and better defense statistically. Ireton has been inconsistent, but if they limit mistakes, this could go either way.

What DCSportsFan Thinks:

• Pick: Ireton 27, O’Connell 20
• Rationale: On paper, this is the worst game of the season to-date. But in Northern Virginia, both schools will be on-hand for this long-standing WCAC rivalry. Ireton played pretty tough against Landon last week so we think the Cardinals can pull it off
• Irrelevant Prediction: Taylor Swift returns to play the halftime show

Paul VI vs. St. Mary’s Ryken

What AI Thinks:

• Pick: Paul VI
• Projected Score: 31 – 20
• Confidence Level: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
• Rationale: Both teams are capable of putting up points, but Paul VI has more playmakers and stronger late-game execution. Watch for a possible shootout.

What DCSportsFan Thinks:

• Pick: St. Mary’s Ryken 28, Paul VI 24
• Rationale: Both these teams are having great seasons, but Ryken has been battle tested. We give the Knights the slight edge. Plus, AI isn’t factoring in that PVI has to drive about 3 hours each way for the game. Home field advantage is the difference.
• Irrelevant Prediction: Dreading the drive home, you will hear PVI parents ask why St. Mary’s Ryken is in the WCAC at least 25 times during the game. 

St. Albans vs. Episcopal

What AI Thinks: 

• Pick: St. Albans
• Projected Score: 20 – 14
• Confidence Level: ★★☆☆☆ (Low)
• Rationale: This one’s a toss-up. Both teams are well-coached and evenly matched. St. Albans gets the slight edge for home field and recent close wins, but it could swing the other way.

What DCSportsFan Thinks:

• Pick:  St. Albans 42, Episcopal 35
• Rationale: Proof that AI still has a long way to go to be fully trusted. The game was played yesterday at Episcopal, not St. Albans, so we just looked at the final score for the prediction.
• Irrelevant Prediction: Shep from Southern Charm returns to coach Episcopal High School when he turns 50

DeMatha 35, Good Counsel 16

What AI Thinks:

• Pick: DeMatha 
• Projected Score: 31-14
• Confidence Level: ★★★★☆ (High)
• Rationale: DeMatha will get ahead early and maintain control, forcing Good Counsel to play catch-up. Good Counsel may manage a couple of sustained drives or find the end zone (hence 16 points) but will struggle to keep pace. Turnovers, third-down stops, and explosive plays will favor DeMatha — I expect them to convert a few big gains and force at least one or two turnovers.

What DCSportsFan Thinks:

• Pick: DeMatha 42, Good Counsel 13
• Rationale: DeMatha is killing their opponents this season. That will continue tonight.
• Irrelevant Prediction: The Good Counsel student section will be empty by the fourth quarter.