Briar Woods’ Confident Leadership Key to Success

Unshakable Quarterback Racks Up 3 Touchdown Passes, Completes 14 of 22

By Carl Little

Saturday, September 15, 2007

With his uniform soaked from rain and sweat, Alex Munro rocketed both arms into the air. Moments earlier he had connected on a three-yard touchdown strike that sailed into the back of the end zone and into the hands of a wide-open receiver. Munro cut his celebration short and, while his offensive teammates made their way to the sideline, kneeled at the line of scrimmage for one final play of the drive.

As Briar Woods’ special teams joined him on the football field, Munro secured the wet snap and locked it into place. The extra point attempt was successful, and Munro finally was able to make his way off the field.

“I play quarterback,” Munro said. “The linemen and all of them might get a little tired, but I’m not doing too much. I’m just relaxed. I’m cool.”

Munro was unflappable virtually all game, leading Briar Woods to a 26-6 home victory over non-district foe Manassas Park in Brambleton. The senior quarterback went 14 of 22 for 159 yards and three touchdown passes.

The Falcons (3-0) entered the game looking to upend Manassas Park for the second straight year. Last season, in its second year of existence, Briar Woods defeated Manassas Park handily. It went on to finish the season 6-4 in its first year of fielding a varsity football team.

Freshman quarterback Dominique Terrell (19 carries, 42 yards) looked to ignite Manassas Park’s offense early in the second quarter. He shook two would-be tacklers and sprinted 67 yards to the Briar Woods 15-yard line before being tackled. Briar Woods caused the drive to stall; the Cougars went for it on fourth down, and Terrell threw an incomplete pass.

Terrell, whose brother Zach Terrell quarterbacked Manassas Park to the Group A Division 2 state championship in 2004 and is the Virginia High School League’s all-time single-season leader in total offense for Group A, scored Manassas Park’s only touchdown on a keeper up the middle from the goal line with about 27 seconds remaining in the game.

“We knew he was a heck of an athlete, and we were worried about containment,” Briar Woods Coach Charlie Pierce said. “Our defense played exceptional, considering he’s as good an athlete as he is.”

Manassas Park managed 151 yards of total offense.

“We have so much leadership this year, from the coaches on down,” said Briar Woods wide receiver Jeremy Gray, who had five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. “We’re getting more mature, and we’re finishing things off.”

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks