No. 17 Broad Run Leaves No Doubt

Spartans Jump on Panthers in Battle of Unbeatens

By Paul Tenorio

Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Broad Run defense doesn't usually need extra motivation, but when it gets it, good luck.

Earlier this season, the Spartans' defensive players said they read media reports praising the Briar Woods defense before the week leading up to the crosstown showdown and credited the reports with motivating the unit to a shutout win over the Falcons.

And Friday night, after a dominating 38-0 victory in which they shut down a Potomac Falls offense that entered the contest averaging 45 points per game, third best in the Washington area, the Spartans again talked about playing with extra motivation from outside sources.

"I'm pretty grateful to the papers for not giving our defense credit, because they get mad," Broad Run Coach Mike Burnett said before discussing some numbers that amplified the unit's effectiveness.

"They have a chip on their shoulder, I'm not going to lie," Burnett said. "They read all the stuff on the Internet and see them being compared to everybody else. And I'll be honest, this is the best defense I've ever coached. This is one of the best defenses I've ever seen at the high school level. They really play fast and hard, and all 11 kids get after it."

The Spartans (8-0, 5-0 Virginia AA Dulles District) effectively shut down the Panthers offense throughout the night, limiting one of the area's best rushing attacks to just eight yards rushing and holding Potomac Falls (7-1, 4-1) to just three first downs in the first half.

With the rushing attack unable to move the ball, Potomac Falls was forced to go to the air early and twice threw interceptions - one to Chris Jessop and the other to Joey Quigg - that helped Broad Run build a big early advantage.

Photo Gallery

Broad Run Routs Potomac Falls

Photo: 0/1

« Previous | Next »

Larger Version

Potomac Falls quarterback Gregory Woodlief scrambles from Broad Run's Mikey Cotton (25) Will Field (55) and Anthony James (61) during the fourth quarter. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

Broad Run's Chris Jessop breaks up a third-quarter pass intended Potomac Falls' for Tarrell Owens. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

The Potomac Falls offense stands dejected after a second-quarter interception took the wind out of their team. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

The Broad Run student section harasses Chad McMichael and the rest of Potomac Falls team as they head to the locker room at halftime. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

Broad Run's T. J. Peeler breaks from Potomac Falls' Gregory Woodlief for a second-quarter touchdown. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

Broad Run's Shawn Lewis (52) sacks Potomac Falls' QB Gregory Woodlief in the second quarter. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

Broad Run's Joey Quigg (22) races downfield after intercepting a pass intended for Potomac Falls' Tarrell Owens (5) to set up a second-quarter touchdown. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

Broad Run's Breon Earl splits the Potomac Falls defense for a second-quarter first down. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

Potomac Falls Coach Scott Woodlief didn't have an answer to the Broad Run offense during first-half action. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

From left, Broad Run's Shawn Lewis and Adrian Flemming celebrate Breon Earl's first-quarter touchdown. (Preston Keres)

Larger Version

Broad Run quarterback Chris Jessop scrambles away from the Potomac Falls defense during first-quarter action. (Preston Keres)

View all thumbnails

"We knew they were going to run a lot of power, a lot of counter," senior linebacker Kenny McAdow said. "We started reading guards, and this week we got into more reading the guards before the play, looking where his hands were and seeing if he was going to pull or more, stuff like that. We really got into focusing a lot on our keys as linebackers."

And although the defense negated the vaunted Potomac Falls attack, offensively Broad Run returned to its smashmouth identity and pounded the ball on the ground with a combination of junior T.J. Peeler and senior Breon Earl.

The two combined for 125 yards and five touchdowns on 25 carries in the first two quarters to help open up a 35-0 advantage at the half.

Earl opened the scoring with a 20-yard run in which he used his slashing style to go back to the middle on a toss right, then scored twice more on runs of four and nine yards.

Peeler, who missed time earlier this season with an elbow injury, provided the tough inside running and scored on runs of five and six yards.

Peeler's presence in the backfield and the growing experience of the offensive line have contributed to a return to the run-first mentality, Burnett said.

The win sent a message that a Broad Run team that some said was struggling the past few weeks was instead still the top team in the district.

"Our kids just seem to play really hard in big games," Burnett said. "And that's what I'm really proud of, because that's not an easy thing to do. What we believe and what we said all summer is that when this team plays up to their potential, they can play with any team in the state."

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

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?