Defense Helps Lift Broad Run Over Titans

By Levi Chronister

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Broad Run used a balanced offensive attack and a swarming defense to remain undefeated.

The Spartans rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 186 yards and three scores to lead Broad Run over host Dominion, 34-17, on Friday.

For the Titans, it was their second straight loss in what figures to be a tough Ocotober stretch. Dominion's four October opponents have a combined 21-3 record, including Broad Run (6-0, 3-0 AA Dulles).

"It's hard coming out here playing the quality teams we play every week," Dominion Coach Mike Dougherty said. "There's really no slouch in our district, and if you don't come out and play your 'A' game you're down 20-something before you can even blink."

The Titans (2-4, 1-2) were down 27-3 at halftime thanks to a strong showing all around by the Spartans. Broad Run's defense held Dominion to just one first down and 39 total yards in the first half, while forcing four punts and intercepting two passes.

"Our defense has been terrific all year," Spartans Coach Mike Burnett said. "We've been able to put a lot of points on the board, but I think [our defense] has been the heart of our team.”

"I thought we had a nice balance tonight running and passing that we haven't had in the last two weeks, so I was real pleased with that effort," Burnett said.

Friday's game was very similar to Dominion's 35-14 loss to Briar Woods the previous week. In both games the Titans struggled to establish the run and fell behind by more than 30 points before scoring two late touchdowns.

The Spartans led just 7-3 early in the second quarter after twice fumbling the ball away. However, a quick three-and-out by Dominion after the second fumble gave the ball back to Broad Run near midfield.

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Broad Run vs. Dominion

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Broad Run kicker No. 13 Graham Allen prepares for the kickoff to Dominion to start the game. (Emmy Crawford)

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Broad Run running back No. 23 Breon Earl carries the ball in first-quarter play. Earl had a total of 11 carries for 82 yards on the night. (Emmy Crawford)

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Spartans quarterback Chris Jessop calls a play on the line of scrimmage during the first half of the game against the Dominion Titans. (Emmy Crawford)

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Broad Run running back No. 36 Billy Rocca pushes past Dominion defensive lineman No. 62 Drew Blaskoski into the endzone for the first touchdown of the game. (Emmy Crawford)

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Dominion running back Deandre Reaves tries to dodge oncoming Broad Run defenders. Reaves had 21 carries for 52 yards on the night. (Emmy Crawford)

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Dominion running back No. 20 Deandre Reaves thanks Broad Run defensive lineman No. 75 Bryan Morrison for helping him to his feet with a tap on the helmet. (Emmy Crawford)

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The Spartans offense lines up to face the Titan defense prior to the snap in first-half play. The Spartans went on to defeat the Titans, 34-17 (Emmy Crawford)

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Titans running back Deandre Reaves dodges Spartans defenders to make a first down on Friday night. (Emmy Crawford)

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The Dominion High School Titan Band plays at halftime to the home crowd. (Emmy Crawford)

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The Dominion High School Titan Marching Band plays to the home crowd at halftime. (Emmy Crawford)

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Spartans defenders dash to stop Titans running back Deandre Reaves from making a first down in the beginning of the second half. (Emmy Crawford)

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Titans running back Deandre Reaves is hit hard by Spartans linebacker No. 25 Mikey Cotton. The Spartans defense held Reaves to just 54 yards rushing on the night. (Emmy Crawford)

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Broad Run quarterback Chris Jessop looks for an opening to pass down the field. (Emmy Crawford)

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Teammates rush to congratulate Broad Run running back No. 23 Breon Earl after he scored his second touchdown of the evening. (Emmy Crawford)

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Broad Run kicker Graham Allen kicks the extra point after Broad Run's fifth touchdown against Dominion. (Emmy Crawford)

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Dominion quarterback No. 9 Geoff McCowat looks to the sidelines for last-minute instructions prior to the snap in the fourth quarter against Broad Run. (Emmy Crawford)

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Broad Run quarterback No. 10 AJ Schmetzer hands off to running back No. 20 Tim Sanders in the fourth quarter against Dominion. (Emmy Crawford)

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Dominion running back No. 20 Deandre Reaves easily outstrips Broad Run defenders to run into the endzone for a touchdown. Broad Run kept Dominion to 17 points, with Dominion's two touchdowns coming late in the fourth quarter. (Emmy Crawford)

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The Spartans took full advantage, finishing the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Cole Shain to Adrian Flemming.

Shain threw scoring strikes to Breon Earl and Ryan Diviney on the Spartans' final two drives of the first half.

"How you handle adversity is really, I think, the measure of a team," Burnett said of the two early fumbles. "Those things are going to happen. Bad things are going to happen. Bad things happen every game, and I was really pleased with how we responded especially after the second turnover."

Broad Run extended its lead to 34-3 with a little more than three minutes left in the third quarter on a seven-yard run by Earl. The Titans then sandwiched two long scoring drives around a three-and-out by the Spartans.

Henry Lobo finished the first drive by outleaping a Broad Run defender for a touchdown pass, and Deandre Reaves caught a short pass in traffic on the second drive before slipping past and outrunning defenders for a 50-yard score.

Earl finished with 82 yards on 11 carries, Billy Rocca had seven rushes for 44 yards and a touchdown, and Shain completed seven of eight passes for 144 yards and three scores. Flemming caught four passes for 67 yards.

Reaves rushed 21 times for 56 yards, Henry Lobo had 17 yards on seven carries and two catches for 38 yards, and McCowat finished 6-of-19 passing for 131 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Dominion next plays at Heritage (4-2, 3-1) and plays host to Park View (6-0, 3-0) on Oct. 26.

Broad Run wil try to protect its undefeated record next Saturday at home against Loudoun County (0-6, 0-3).

"I don't expect a let down, but I expect Loudoun County to be ready for us," Burnett said. "It'll be a big game for them, and it's a big game for us."

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks