The No. 3 Saints (8-2) are one game better than last year and back in the playoffs. They hit the road against an unfamiliar opponent today in the form of The Potomac School (7-2).

Earlier in the season, the Panthers were the top-ranked Division II team in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association. Now they hold the No. 2 seed based on state ratings.

Panthers senior running back Jalen Broome is averaging an incredible 206.7 yards per game, with 1,860 total for the season and 19 touchdowns.

“We’ve got to stop Broome first,” NSA head coach Lew Johnston said.

He said the Saints know they will also need to focus on senior quarterback Kevin Havermann, who has passed this year for 947 yards, 12 touchdowns and only four interceptions, with 261 yards rushing and two touchdowns. His favorite target is junior Josh Hansan who has 25 receptions for 665 yards and 11 scores.

Johnston said his players are confident they can get after Havermann up front, and when he gets the ball off, “We’ve got to be able to count on our secondary to step up.”

Saints sophomore linebacker Cole Christiansen has been cleared to start after being previously hampered with headaches and a sinus infection.

Junior fullback/defensive tackle David Gough will likely be limited to offense-only due to back spasms but will contribute to NSA’s diversity of offensive threats.

Kick off is at 1:30 p.m. in McLean.