Potomac Falls Digs Deep and Wins

By Matt Brooks (Contact)

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Michael Baker rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Potomac Falls rallied to beat James Wood, 26-17, in a Virginia AA Region II Division 4 semifinal in Sterling Friday night.

The Colonels (8-3) took a 14-13 lead one minute into the final period on Trae Tinsman's 10-yard touchdown pass to Danny Cooper – the same play responsible for James Wood’s first score. After Andrew Lloyd's 40-yard field goal tacked three points onto the lead, the Panthers (10-1) answered with a quick six-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by Baker's first touchdown with 6 minutes 37 seconds left in the game. Asa Fox missed the extra point, making it 19-17 Potomac Falls and leaving the door open for James Wood and Lloyd’s powerful leg.

But the Panthers’ defense forced a three-and-out and the offense followed with a methodical 10-play scoring drive that culminated in Baker’s second score and put the game out of reach.

Baker and Potomac Falls’ wideout Tarrell Owens were kept in check by the Colonels defense, but tight end Chris Pelto took advantage of the openings in the middle of the field. The senior had his best offense game of the season, catching five balls for 75 yards – including four first downs. Pelto also triggered the game-changing play on the defensive end, drilling Tinsman on a sack and forcing a fumble that Zac Duffin returned 50 yards for the Panthers’ first touchdown. The Colonels coughed up two fumbles and muffed a kickoff.

Photo Gallery

Potomac Falls Advances

Photo: 0/1

« Previous | Next »

Larger Version

Ricky Lovelace holds up Potomac Falls' lucky charm after defeating James Woods in the first round of the Virginia AA Region II Division 4 playoffs. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Potomac Falls cheerleader Jordan Rohan, 17, cheers for the Panthers during Friday's game. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Potomac Falls students Samantha Haas, 16, and Megan Ahart, 16, dance during the game. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Chris Pelto catches a pass against James Wood. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Potomac Falls Coach Scott Woodlief, right, reacts during the game. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

From left, studentsGwen Kearney, Ashley Mihelarakis and Kayla Motheral during the game. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Zachary Duffin of Potomac Falls cools off during the game. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Potomac Falls' Chris Pelto tackles Brock Lockhart of James Woods. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Danny Cooper of James Woods after scoring a touchdown against Potomac Falls. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Potomac Falls quarterback Gregory Woodlief makes a run for it against James Wood. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Asa Fox of Potomac Falls kicks off. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

James Woods' Kelsey Shannon runs right into the teeth of Potomac Falls' defense. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Potomac Falls' Chad McMichael runs the ball against James Woods' Doug Stonier. (Leah L. Jones)

Larger Version

Gregory Woodlief signals incomplete after breaking up a pass on defense. (Leah L. Jones)

View all thumbnails

"I didn't have any blocker picking me up and I knew if I could get there, I could get a shot on [Tinsman]," Pelto said. "Luckily our coverage held him and I got there in time and Duffin made a hell of a play picking that ball up."

Baker, the Dulles District's leading rusher, found little room on the ground all night with the Colonels bringing pressure up the middle and keying on stopping the run. Baker finished with only 48 yards on 16 carries, his second lowest output this season. Owens was also blanketed by defenders, leaving openings for Pelto over the middle and first-team All-District receiver Chad McMichael on the sideline. The senior hauled in nine catches for 131 yards including a huge 47-yard catch with the Panthers trailing midway through the fourth quarter. On the next play, Baker ran up the middle for his first touchdown, giving the Panthers the lead.

"James Wood is going to load up on the run," Potomac Falls Coach Scott Woodlief said. "Michael Baker's got 1,450 yards and 20 TDs. You've got to stop the run. We've been talking every week all year: 'What are you going to stop with Potomac Falls?' If you're going to stop the run we're going to throw the ball, if you're going to stop the pass we're going to run the ball. Michael had a couple runs there at the end which broke the game open for us and we were able to run the clock out."

The Colonels tried to control the clock with a multifaceted ground attack and found success late in the first half and early in the second. After getting just one first down on their first two possessions, they put together a long drive to get their first touchdown midway through the second quarter. On their second possession of the second half, the Colonels again marched down the field on a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive comprised of 12 runs and a single play-action pass on the final play.

"We knew coming into the football game James Wood is going to be patient and they're going to run the football because that's what they do," Woodlief said. "We thought if we can stop the run, we would have them doing something they are not comfortable doing, which is throwing the football."

Tinsman was just 4-of-15 passing for 43 yards and the two touchdowns as the Colonels ran the ball 44 times on the night for 155 yards. Junior running back Brock Lockhart was the leading rusher for James Wood with 69 yards on 16 carries and Kelsey Shannon had 40 yards on eight carries.

It was only the fourth time all season the Panthers trailed in a game and the final score tied their second narrowest margin of victory.

"We talked about it," Woodlief said. "Let's don't let this be our last 24 minutes of high school football in the second half. Did that ring a bell to them? I don't know. They came out in the second half, they played really hard and they left everything on the field."

With the win the Panthers continue their best season in school history and get a rematch with Dulles District champion Broad Run in the Region II Division 4 final next Friday. The Spartans were the only team to beat Potomac Falls this season as they routed the Panthers in Ashburn, 38-0.

"It's a new season," Pelto said. "We've just got to come out and play our game. They kind of took us out of our game last time we played them. We've got experience now. We'll be all right."

Note: Duffin got his first start of the year in place of junior Mason Mehalic on the defensive line. The Panthers were also missing senior lineman David Zedan.

Tagged: football, high school sports, Potomac Falls High School

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?