Broad Run Brings It Home

No. 5 Spartans Clinch First Ever State Title

By Paul Tenorio

Saturday, December 6, 2008

LYNCHBURG — For much of the second half of the season, No. 5 Broad Run had eschewed the pass in favor of the two-headed rushing attack of running backs Breon Earl and T.J. Peeler.

But in two crucial moments during Saturday's Virginia AA Division 4 championship against two-time defending champion Amherst County at Liberty University's Williams Stadium, the Spartans turned to quarterback Chris Jessop and wide receiver Adrian Flemming to deliver through the air. Both times, the duo responded.

In a steady snow, Jessop connected with Flemming on a fade route in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass with just 13 seconds remaining in the first half to give Broad Run a slim one-score lead at halftime.

And facing fourth and eight late in the fourth quarter, Jessop again found the junior - this time for 22 yards - to set up Earl's two-yard touchdown run that iced the game, as Broad Run downed the Lancers, 13-0, to capture the first football state championship in school history.

"It's surprising, worst weather of the year, we throw more than we ever have," Jessop said afterward, laughing. "Adrian came up big. Made me look really good."

The performance was the epitome of what Broad Run (14-0) coaches had stressed throughout the year: a team performance.

The Spartans' defense was dominant, limiting Amherst County (12-2) to 97 total yards and seven first downs in the shutout, and coming up with a huge stop on fourth down late in the game when Joey Quigg sniffed out a fake punt for a two-yard loss.

And offensively, Earl and Peeler again shouldered much of the load, carrying a combined 35 times for 127 yards and a touchdown and helping the Spartans hold the ball for more than 28 minutes.

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Broad Run Wins State Title

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Broad Run running back Breon Earl runs over Amherst County's Chris McDaniel during the first quarter. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run running T.J. Peeler breaks free of Amherst County's A.J. Parrish and looks to be on his way to an easy touchdown. But Peeler placed the ball down on the five-yard line of the snow-covered field thinking he was already in the end zone. The Lancers recovered the ball. (John McDonnell)

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Amherst County recovers the ball after T.J. Peeler placed it on what he thought was the end zone but was in fact a few yards outside. Adrian Flemming, right, tries to recover for Broad Run. (John McDonnell)

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Amherst County's Jamal Glover is wrapped up by Broad Run linebacker Johnny Meier at the line of scrimmage. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run quarterback Chris Jessop has the ball jarred loose by Amherst County's Timmy Johnson in the second quarter. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run's Breon Earl is brought down by Amherst County's Tyrease Brown on a second quarter punt return. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run quarterback pitches out during the second quarter in the snow. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run's Adrian Flemming is upended by Amherst County's Chris McDaniel in the second quarter after catching a pass. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run wide receiver Adrian Flemming hauls in a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Jessop just before halftime to break a scoreless tie. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run linebacker Johnny Meier hits Amherst County quarterback Anthony Rose in the second quarter. The Lancers only had seven first downs in the game. (John McDonnell)

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Bundled-up Broad Run fans rejoice during the game. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run's Kevin Sandersen wraps up Amherst County quarterback Anthony Rose as other Spartans' defenders close in. (John McDonnell)

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The celebration begins as Broad Run players and staff spill onto the field, including assistant coach Jason Dawson, who eschewed the long sleeves for Saturday's game. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run quarterback Chris Jessop, left, and running back Breon Earl embrace after the game. Jessop threw a 10-yard touchdown pass and Breon Earl scored on a two-yard run to account for the Spartans' scoring in their 13-0 victory. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run coach Mike Burnett and senior linebacker Kenny McAdow celebrate after the game. (John McDonnell)

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In only his third year with the team, Coach Mike Burnett led the Spartans to their first ever state title. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run Coach Mike Burnett holds the state championship trophy while addressing the team. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run's two scoring drives were 19- and 12-play marches that ate up nearly 13 minutes.

Perhaps no play in those two drives was more impressive than the final one, as the diminutive 5-foot-7, 160-pound Earl lowered his shoulder and knocked over an Amherst defender to bowl into the end zone on fourth down from the two-yard line.

"I think if we watch that one again that's going to be one of the great runs you're going to see in high school football for a state championship," Broad Run Coach Mike Burnett said. "That's why at the end there, T.J. is a big, bruising back and it probably makes more sense to give it to him, but I knew if we're going to put this whole season on the line it's going to be in the hands of 23 [Earl]."

The win completes a remarkable three-year turnaround for Broad Run, which was 1-9 in 2005 and had been to the playoffs just twice since the school opened in 1969 before Burnett was hired.

Broad Run has now won 24 of its past 25 games and this season won four postseason games after winning just one previous in school history.

Afterward, the team celebrated amongst its student section and raised the trophy with its fans on the field following a speech from Burnett.

"I said I'd reflect back on it when it was over," Burnett said. "And I guess I need a little time to process that. Surreal is the only word I can say. I looked at my wife and just said, 'It's hard to believe.' "

Tagged: Broad Run High School, football, high school sports

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