Spartans Get Big Win Over Heritage 31-13
The Broad Run Spartans came into their homecoming game with a 2-4 record and coming off a tough loss to rival Potomac Falls. At the beginning of the season, people questioned why Broad Run would schedule Heritage, the defending co-district champs, for their homecoming game. However, Broad Run proved their point today as the Spartans dominated the Pride 31-13.
On the first play from scrimmage, Heritage quarterback Kyle Nelson threw an interception at the Pride 30 yard line and Heritage fans were hoping that the game would not turn out the same way it did a week ago when Park View scored 14 points in the first 5 minutes of the game. The Pride defense would respond and hold Broad Run on a 4th down conversion attempt. Heritage's Sean McCoy provided a much needed big play on the next series as he raced down the field all the way to the Spartan 5 yard line, setting up a Kyle Nelson 5 yard touchdown run the next play and a 7-0 lead. Broad Run would answer right back with a 25 yard field goal which made the score 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.
With about two minutes left in the second quarter, Pride running back Chris McCalla bulldozed a couple of Spartans on his way to a 4 yard touchdown run that would give the Pride a 13-3 lead after a failed two point conversion. Fans started to head for the concession stand, but they missed the biggest play of the game as Heritage tried an onside kick but it was recovered by Broad Run on the Heritage 45. Broad Run would use quick passing by quarterback Chris Jessop to march down the field in less than a minute. Jessop would find Ryan Diviney for an 8 yard touchdown pass and catch right before the 1st half was over. After a successful two point conversion, the Spartans climbed within two points and the score was 13-11 at halftime.
To start the second half, Heritage tried a reverse on the kickoff but the handoff was muffed and Heritage started their first drive of the second half on their own 5 yard line. An already pumped up Spartan team got even more support as their homecoming crowd got to their feet supporting their team. The poor field position led to a punt that went out of bounds at the Pride 30 yard line. Minutes later, Broad Run's Clayton Abel rumbled into the end zone from a yard out to give Broad Run a 17-13 lead after a missed two point conversion. After that score, the Spartans turned up the intensity and never looked back.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Spartan quarterback Chris Jessop found standout wide receiver Adrian Mines for a spectacular 11 yard touchdown pass and catch that would put the game out of reach. Broad Run would add a late touchdown as fullback Zack Austin carried the pile 4 yards for a touchdown with just over a minute to go to give Broad Run a 31-13 lead and a homecoming victory over the Heritage Pride.
With the win, Broad Run improves to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the district. With the loss, Heritage fell to 3-4 overall and 0-2 in the district. Next week, Broad Run will host the winless Loudoun County Raiders, and the Pride will have their homecoming game against the Dominion Titans.
Game Notes:
Broad Run- Clayton Abel had a great game rushing 24 times for 101 yards and one touchdown. The Spartans had 164 total rushing yards and 276 total yards. Starting quarterback Cole Shain did not play much off the second and third quarter, but Broad Run did not miss a beat as sophomore backup Chris Jessop came in and threw 2 touchdowns in the win.
Heritage- The Pride amassed only 142 yards of total offense, 98 of which came from the 8 carries of running back Sean McCoy. Quarterback Kyle Nelson had another tough game completing only 2-7 passes for 43 yards, and 3 INT's. The Pride ran less than 10 total plays in the second half as Broad Run methodically drove down the field on the Pride defense.
Injuries- Heritage linebacker/tight end Zak Burkhard left the game in the second quarter with an apparent knee injury. Burkhard appeared on the sideline on the second half with ice on his knee and was walking on crutches. Burkhard said he will see a doctor on Monday for further evaluation. His status for next week's homecoming game against Dominion is uncertain.
Broad Run - Heritage
Total Offense 290 142
Rushing Yards 178 100
Passing Yards 112 42
Turn Overs 3 3
Penalties 4 - 30 7 - 85
First Downs 18 4
Return Yards 5 - 149 3 - 59
FG Missed none none
Time of Possession 28:10 19:50
Interceptions: (BR) S. Saidi, C. Bartalone, A. Luhman
Fumbles (Total - Lost): (BR) 2 - 0; (HR) 1 - 0
Sacks: BR - 0 ; HR - 2
Scoring Summary
HR - K. Nelson 5 yard run (C. Rossie Kick)
BR - J. Tabatabian 28 yard FG
HR - C. McCalla 4 yard run (Pass Failed)
BR - R. Diviney 7 yard pass from Jessop (C. Able Run)
BR - C. Abel 2 yard run (Pass Failed)
BR - A. Mines 11 yard pass form Jessop (Tabatabian Kick)
BR - Z. Austin 4 yard run (Tabatabian Kick)
Rushing (attempts-yards-TDs)
HR - S. McCoy 12-99, C. McCalla 4-9-TD, K. Nelson 2-(-5)-1TD, R. Madison 8-(-4), C. Rustin 1-1
BR - Abel 27-117-TD, Z. Austin 8-24-TD, C. Jessop 5-26, A. Mines 1-13
Passing complete-attempt-yards-TD-INT
HR - Nelson 2-7-42-0-3
BR - Shain 6-14-87-0-0, Jessop 3-6-25-2-0
Receiving
HR - D. Tibbs 1 - 26, B. Edmonds 1 - 16
BR - C. Abel 3-35, A. Mines 3-33-TD, R. Diviney 2-27-TD, B. Rocca 1-10, B. Phillips 1-7
