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Loudoun Football 2008: Broad Run

Jessop's at the Wheel of Revamped Offense

By Paul Tenorio

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

As he walked off the field in the final week of the regular season last November following a thrilling 21-14 victory over rival Park View in which his team claimed the Virginia AA Dulles District title with a 10-0 record, Broad Run quarterback Chris Jessop came across Patriots Coach Andy Hill.

"I wish you were a senior," Hill said jokingly to Jessop, who had delivered the key pass on a trick play in the Spartans' victory.

It was the ultimate compliment for Jessop, who played a limited role at quarterback because then-senior Cole Shain took the majority of the snaps. But now, as the Spartans' clear-cut No. 1 quarterback, Jessop will be even more of a concern for Hill and other district coaches.

"I think it's more of a leadership role for me, I've never been 'The Guy,'" said Jessop, a senior, before adding. "It's exciting knowing it's on my shoulders."

At practice last Friday in Ashburn, Jessop showed the playmaking ability that makes him such a key weapon for the Spartans.

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Chris Jessop, facing Park View last November, will assume starting quarterback duties this season with the graduation of Cole Shain. Jessop, who was an All-State selection at cornerback last year, had one touchdown pass and two rushing touchdowns in 2007. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Breon Earl led Broad Run's effective ground game last season but will be featured as a slot receiver in the Spartans' revamped offense this year. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Breon Earl was one of the top running backs in the Dulles District last year, rushing for 883 yards and eight touchdowns. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Broad Run's Kenny McAdow, primarily a linebacker, will continue to provide hard-nosed offense as a fullback this season. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Kenny McAdow, here scoring against Briar Woods last season, teamed up with Breon Earl to form one of the toughest backfields in the Dulles District last season. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Dropping back on a pass play, Jessop immediately felt pressure as the pocket started to collapse. With no sign of panic, he stepped forward to avoid the pressure and rolled left appearing as if he was about to take off down the field. A cornerback charged forward when suddenly, with defenders swirling around him, Jessop fired a pass off his back foot and across his body to senior slot receiver Breon Earl, who was left open by the charging corner.

"We were talking about it on the way up here … the defense could not have played it any better and he has the ability to step up and find Breon," Broad Run Coach Mike Burnett said. "Just make a play out of nothing."

For Burnett, moments like that are what make the prospects of this season so exciting.

"Chris is a kid who makes plays and last year he made it from a lot of different positions," Burnett said. "This year obviously we anticipate him making it from the quarterback position. … I think our offense is much more designed to take advantage of his abilities."

After losing four of its five starting offensive linemen and its blocking tight end, Broad Run will have a different offense from the up-the-gut style of last season.

"It's not as much shove it up the middle like it was with all our linemen last year," Jessop said. "Three yards and a cloud of dust. It's not that anymore. … We're going to take advantage of our speed."

That speed will come from all over the field. With Jessop starting at quarterback and unanimous All-District running back Earl now playing in the slot, the Spartans have opened up space for more weapons to get on the field. That includes junior tailback T.J. Peeler – a 6-2, 195 pounder who provides a much different look than the 5-7 Earl did last year in the backfield – and wide receiver Didier Saidi, a 6-foot, 175 pound transfer from O'Connell.

They'll join junior receiver Adrian Flemming (6-4, 195), senior WR Joey Quigg (5-11, 170) and senior FB Kenny McAdow (5-10, 215) in a multifaceted offense.

"I think it's going to be a lot of fun because nobody is going to be able to key on anybody," Jessop said.

Jessop, who was a first-team All-State selection as a cornerback last season, showed flashes of what he'll bring to the Broad Run offense at practice. His speed and vision are perfectly suited for the option plays the Spartans run, and Jessop also displayed his strong arm on a deep throw against the wind.

Burnett said he does not expect Jessop to play on defense this season except in key games or situations. "We joke about that, we've got a first-team all-state corner who's not going to play defense," Burnett said.

But in cases where he is needed to play both sides of the ball, Jessop does have a capable backup in senior Tim Miscovich. A tall, strong-armed lefty, Miscovich has looked good this summer and gives Burnett the option of moving Jessop around and into the playmaker role in which he was so dangerous last fall.

"He is big, he's strong, he can play football, too," Jessop said of his teammate. "I would say Timmy Miscovich, he is probably going to go on and play college ball. I mean he can play."

But for Broad Run's opponents, it's the prospect of facing Jessop as a full-time dual-threat quarterback that causes the most concern.

"Hopefully our offense lets him shine but I think Chris is going to stand out no matter where he plays," Burnett said. "He's a football player, he's just a really great football player."

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