LoudounExtra.com

Loudoun Football 2008: Heritage

Pride Is Playoff Ready After Near Miss Last Year

By Matt Brooks

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Ross Madison watched a high end-over-end punt as it sailed downfield toward him during Monday morning’s football practice at Heritage High School. The senior running back caught the ball, secured it in his arm and took off upfield, pausing only for a split-second to fake a hand-off to fellow return man T.J. McPhaul.

Madison easily blew past the first wave of would-be tacklers, bounced off two more before the whistle blew to sound the end of the play, and then gave another member of the coverage team an extra shot just for good measure.

Ten minutes prior, Madison was lined up behind the quarterback, running through offensive plays as the team’s starting running back, and before that, he was stationed in the defensive backfield, taking snaps at safety.

"We're going to try to get the ball in his hands a lot this year," Coach Wes Driskill said of Madison. "We want to give him some opportunities running the ball because he can really make plays for us once he gets into the secondary. He's got some good wheels on him, so we like using him in the return game as well, and he's also a safety who can cover downfield well and make some plays there as well. So he's an important weapon for us."

One of only three returning offensive starters and seven players who will line up on both sides of the ball for the Pride this season, Madison’s productivity – particularly on the offensive end – will be critical if Heritage hopes to achieve its goals of surpassing last year’s 7-3 record and making the Region II playoffs, which they barely missed out on a year ago. In 2007, Madison compiled 836 yards and eight touchdowns on 148 carries and those numbers could increase this season.

Photo Gallery

Heritage Season Preview

Photo: 0/1

« Previous | Next »

Larger Version

Heritage senior running back Ross Madison (left) matches up with senior corner back T.J. McPhaul during Monday morning's practice in Leesburg. Madison, who rushed for 836 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007 and doubles as a safety, will be one of the keys to the Pride attack while McPhaul will be expected to make plays at wide receiver as well. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Heritage senior quarterback Zach Gordon gets set to throw during defensive back drills at Monday's practice in Leesburg. Gordon and sophomore Brian Rody are currently battling for the starting spot, although it is likely that they will split time during the season. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Heritage junior defensive end Josh Labuhn busts through the offensive line during punting plays at Monday's practice in Leesburg. Labuhn, who also plays on the offensive line, is a key part of lines that Coach Wes Driskill called his biggest ever. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Heritage senior quarterback Zach Gordon takes a snap under center during Monday's practice in Leesburg. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Heritage sophomore quarterback Brian Rody throws a pass during seven-on-sevens at Monday's practice in Leesburg. Rody and senior Zach Gordon are currently battling for the starting spot, although it is likely that they will split time during the season. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Heritage junior lineman Josh Labuhn chases senior Thomas Ewing during a pursuit drill at Monday's practice in Leesburg. Lahbun and Ewing are two of the key components to offensive and defensive lines that Coach Wes Driskill called his biggest ever. (Matt Brooks)

Larger Version

Heritage Coach Wes Driskill addresses his team following Monday morning's practice in Leesburg. With several key starters back on both sides of the ball, Driskill is hopeful his team can improve upon last year's 7-3 record and reach the Region II playoffs. (Matt Brooks)

View all thumbnails

"I really worked hard this off-season to make myself a more complete player," Madison said. "I don't just want to be a one-dimensional running back. Instead of just going to the outside I'm going to try to find holes on the inside as well. I'll even be a receiver sometimes, so I'm really working on doing everything I need to be a good all-around running back."

With senior middle linebacker/tight end Russell East and potential senior starting quarterback Zach Gordon, Madison is part of a threesome that has played together since eighth grade. Both Gordon and East – who will captain the defense for the second straight season – have seen Madison's skill-set develop and expect him to produce for the Pride.

"Ross doesn't have the biggest frame as a running back but he runs like he's 215 pounds," East said. "He never gives up and he fights for those extra yards. He's a tough kid, but he also has the speed to get to the corner and get outside and up the field. And he can also get down the line and bust through a hole up the middle if he needs to. He's just an all-around tough, fast running back."

East, who will start at tight end as well as linebacker this year, joins juniors wide receivers Scott Pratz and David McCarthy and McPhaul, a senior wideout, as first-time offensive starters. Together, they provide multiple playmaking options that will help keep defenses honest, opening up holes for Madison.

"We've got a solid rushing attack but we've also got a good passing game too," Madison said. "There are guys in the slot and on the outside that other teams might not think can make plays, but they're going to learn. They won't be able to just key in on me and stopping the run because we've got the players to beat them through the air as well."

The Pride's ability to establish that balanced attack will be heavily influenced by their new quarterback. Gordon performed well in 2007 when injuries held Nelson out of the lineup, but sophomore Brian Rody has impressed the coaching staff and his teammates with the strength of his arm and his ability to pick up the offense quickly.

"They're both really good quarterbacks," Madison said. "I've been with Zach since the eighth grade so I'm always going to back him up, but Rody surprised me. He was very good last year as a freshman, so I know he'll be good with varsity, too. Personally, I wouldn't mind if they split time because I know they can both lead this offense."

Driskill said he likely will not make a decision on his first-game starter until he has seen both quarterbacks in action in the team’s two preseason scrimmages, which are on Saturday Aug. 16 at River Bend and Aug. 22 vs. Fairfax. But he likes what he’s seen from both to this point.

"We will do what's best for the team," Driskill said. "If they're close, Zach will start because he's the senior. But just because he's starting doesn't mean that Brian won't get a look. I could see something where we would bring Brian in if Zach is struggling, but ideally you'd like to settle on one as your starter."

Whoever ends up starting for the Pride, they're hoping he stays healthy for Heritage's season opener against South Lakes. Last season, the Pride's top two options were injured when the Seahawks came to Leesburg, forcing Madison to start the game under center instead of his usual position behind the quarterback. Heritage managed to hang close but eventually lost the game, 12-7, putting the team in a hole to start the season.

"We shouldn't have those kinds of injuries this season because everyone has been working hard in the weight room and stretching and working hard out here in practice," Labuhn said. "We're ready to get out there and make up for last year's loss, keep up the momentum we had near the end of last season and just rip people's heads off."

With the team's sights set on a Dulles District championship and a berth in the Region II tournament in Heritage’s final season at the AA level, a quick start will be huge boost for a team with several first-time starters filling key positions across the board. Following their rematch with South Lakes, two more non-district contests and a trip to Potomac Falls are all that stand between the Pride and a matchup with reigning district champion Broad Run.

"Last year we went into the season with a lot of injuries and that tripped us up against South Lakes," Driskill said. "If we can get some early success this year, that's going to set the tone for us to make a run for the district championship. And we'll find out pretty soon if we've got what it takes when we host Broad Run for homecoming."

Added East: "Last year we started too late, so we need to get it in our minds that the time to start is now. This is one of the most fast-paced two-a-days that we've had in the past couple years, and that's what the coaches are trying to instill in us. We need to get going now and we can't wait those first couple games because that's what's going to set us back when we hit the district."

Copyright 2009 The Washington Post Company