Broad Run Keeps Win Streak Alive

By Kevin Myrick, Matt Tobin

Friday, September 21, 2007

Broad Run High School (3-0) continued its undefeated streak with a decisive win on the road over Brentsville High (1-2) in Nokesville Thursday night. The 39-6 score was marred only by frequent penalties that tugged at the Spartans throughout the game.

Spartans head coach Michael Burnett praised his team's execution of a playbook that was difficult for an opposing team to prepare for or to focus on one aspect of Broad Run's offense.

"I thought we were much more balanced tonight on the passing and running games," Burnett said.

The Spartans depended heavily on their running game for their first two games against Wakefield and Ballou, but changed their offensive strategy Thursday to include the use of two of their quarterbacks, senior Cole Shain and junior Chris Jessop.

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Broad Run vs. Brentsville

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No. 64 Parminder Sandhu helps No. 13 Graham Allen stretch out on the sidelines during the first quarter of Thursday's game against Brentsville District High School. (Anne Malinee)

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The Spartans and Tigers line up at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter. (Anne Malinee)

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Broad Run's No. 23 Breon Earl returns a punt as No. 50 Dustin Craig blocks for him during the second quarter. (Joel Richardson)

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Broad Run's special teams players prepare to kick off to Brentsville during the second quarter. (Anne Malinee)

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Broad Run's quarterback No. 9 Chris Jessop follows a block by No. 52 Shawn Lewis for a touchdown in the second quarter. (Joel Richardson)

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Broad Run's No. 80 Kevin Sandersen pushes Brentsville's No. 21 Philip Johnson away and turns a pass reception into a touchdown in the second quarter, making the score 17-0. (Joel Richardson)

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Broad Run's No. 3 Adrian Flemming catches a pass in the corner of the end zone beating Brentsville's No. 21 Philip Johnson near the end of the second quarter, making the score 25-0. (Joel Richardson)

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The Spartans celebrate after one of two touchdown passes thrown by quarterback Cole Shain during the second quarter. (Anne Malinee)

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Broad Run's No. 23 Breon Earl fights for a first down in the third quarter. (Joel Richardson)

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Brentsville's Justin Donnelley tries to take down Broad Run wide receiver Adrian Flemming as he goes up for a catch. (Joel Richardson)

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Sophomore Julia Roberto, 15, and freshman Alex Buckner, 14, cheer on the Spartans with the varsity squad. (Anne Malinee)

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Junior Tori Marshall, 16, does a backflip on the sidelines for Broad Run during Thursday's game at Brentsville District High School. (Anne Malinee)

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No. 51 Matt Escano and No. 59 Eric Zimmet take a water break during the fourth quarter. (Anne Malinee)

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The Spartans take a knee as they listen to head coach Michael Burnett's post-game wrap-up. (Anne Malinee)

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Broad Run players and coaches come in for a final huddle after their victory over Brentsville Thursday. The Spartans are 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 127-20 so far this season. They face Briar Woods next week. (Anne Malinee)

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The pair accounted for three first-half touchdowns, both by air and on the ground. Jessop ran in a touchdown from the 3-yard line in the first quarter, while Shain connected on a pass to Kevin Sandersen for a 25-yard touchdown and another to Adrian Flemming late in the first half.

Shain ended the game completing 10 of 15 passes for 151 yards.

Running was still a large component to the Spartans' game plan, highlighted by Breon Earl's 149 yards on 15 carries and his late third-quarter touchdown. To end the game, the Spartans ran the ball six consecutive times for 46 yards, reaching the final whistle after downing the ball on two quarterback kneels.

Not to be lost in the Spartans' high scoring games this season is a defense that has given up only 20 points in three games.

The only scoring Brentsville could muster against the Broad Run on Thursday came on a 29-yard touchdown pass from P.J. Borko to Quiydar Murphy at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

"Our first defense hasn't given up a point this year," Burnett praised.

In fact, the only other touchdown the Spartan defense has given up this year came in the fourth quarter of a 48-14 drubbing of Wakefield, the first game of the season.

As for the penalties, Burnett hopes they serve as a learning tool in future games.

"Kids need to learn to face adversity," Burnett said. "We tell them whatever happens on the field, just keep playing hard."

Even with the win over Brentsville, Burnett said he expects the Spartans will go into their first conference game against Briar Woods — also undefeated at 3-0 — with high emotions.

"The biggest thing is to keep emotions under control," Burnett said. "It'll be an emotional game, but let's not let our emotions get the best of us."

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks