Spartans Capitalize on Sloppy Play by the Warriors

Wakefield Fumbles 7 Times, Commits 9 Penalties in Loss

By Rich Campbell

Saturday, September 1, 2007

With eight starters back on offense and on defense, the Broad Run football team has experienced enough to know the importance of capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. When a team gives a game away, the Spartans are going to take it.

The Spartans were presented with that opportunity Friday, and they took advantage by turning a slew of Wakefield miscues into a 48-14 victory in the season opener for both teams in Ashburn.

“Capitalizing on those is one of the most important things you can do as a football team,” junior linebacker Kenny McAdow said.

Wakefield fumbled seven times (lost one), had two punts foiled by poor snaps and committed nine penalties for 63 yards. Those mistakes opened the door for a Broad Run offense that was ready to pounce.

Spartans senior quarterback Cole Shain and sophomore wide receiver Adrian Flemming led the way by hooking up for three touchdowns, two of which fueled a streak of 27 points in the second quarter.

“There was confusion on their side, and basically there was no one on the field that could match up to Adrian’s capabilities,” Shain said.

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Wakefield vs. Broad Run

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Broad Run's No. 21 Eric Madigan tries to elude Wakefield's No. 50 Curtis Smith and No. 55 Rodrico Booker in first quarter action with 2:04 left on clock. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Color Guard prepares to enter the football field for the school's first football game of the year against Wakefield. This is Jessica Ghazi, 17. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run sacks Wakefield's quarterback No. 12 Jonathan Ford in the second quarter, causing a fumble which Broad Run recovers. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's No. 45 Tyler Johnson finds a hole in the defensive line in the third quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's No. 3 Adrian Flemming scores a touchdown in third quarter. At this point in the game, he has made four catches, rushed for 55 yards and scored three touchdowns. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Wakefield's No. 21 De'Von Hill is tackled by Broad Run's No. 59 Eric Zimmet and No. 45 Tyler Johnson in second quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run led 7-0 early in the second quarter when the Warriors were forced to punt from deep in their territory. A poor snap sent punter Allen Andre scrambling after the loose ball, and he ran it out of his own end zone. The Spartans swarmed him at the 3-yard line, and Billy Rocca scored a touchdown on the next play to make the score 13-0.

Wakefield fumbled on the ensuing drive, and Broad Run capitalized with a touchdown run by Sammy Saidi. Then, with 38 seconds left in the first half, the Warriors were stuffed on fourth and six from their 5-yard line. Shain connected with Flemming for a touchdown on the next play, and the rout was on, 27-0.

Flemming’s third touchdown catch was worthy of a highlight reel. Shain lobbed a pass down the right sideline, and Flemming laid out to haul it in just over the goal line.

“I think Adrian is going to be a really special player,” Spartans Coach Mike Burnett said. “He makes some plays look easy that are not. He and Cole have a great sense of timing, even in practice.”

The Spartans enjoyed a big second quarter after some sloppy play in the first. Shain was intercepted on his first attempt, which stalled a drive that was plagued by formation penalties.

Burnett, however, was pleased his team overcame the slow start. To him, it was another sign of experience.

“Last year we let our mistakes haunt us,” Burnett said. “Tonight we came out and turned the ball over on a crazy play, and then we bore down and played much better football after that.”

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks