Defense Steps Up, Patriots Beat Falcons 17-7
STERLING, VA - In a game that was postponed from Friday night to Saturday afternoon, the match-up between the undefeated Patriots and the upstart Falcons from Briar Woods High School would be worth the wait for the 2007 Park View Homecoming football game.
In only their second year of playing varsity football, the Falcons entered the contest with a 5-1 record - their only loss coming to the currently undefeated Broad Run Spartans. The Falcons would not take long in proving that they had come to play. On the second play from scrimmage, tailback JT Bailey found a seam off the right side of the line and scampered 79 yards for the games opening score.
While the first score of the game did unfolded within the first minute of play, the rest of the first half would be a scoreless duel. Both teams drove the field only to have turnovers in the red zone. The Falcons, up 7-0, moved deep into Patriot territory before defensive back Josh Jones intercepted a Falcon pass in the end zone late in the first quarter. However, after the Patriot offense drove the length of the field and appeared to be on the verge of a game-tying score, a Falcon defender stepped in front of a pass on the 3-yard line ending the Patriot threat. The score would remain 7-0 in favor of the visiting Falcons at half time.
After the half-time ceremonies had been concluded, in which Fatima Miranda was crowned 2007 Homecoming Queen, both teams came out ready to continue the battle they began in the first half. The Patriots would strike first. Behind two carries by Sophomore Running Back Daryus Beale for 23 yards, the Patriots moved deep into Briar Woods territory. Unable to get into the end zone, the Patriots got on the scoreboard on a 26-yard Clayton Parker field goal. The ensuing Falcon possession saw the visitors move the football before having to punt it back to the Patriots.
The third quarter's fireworks were not over yet. On third and nine from the Patriot 45-yard line, Leizear connected with Parker (this time playing receiver) on a slant route. Parker split the two Falcon safeties and cruised 55 yards into the end zone to swing the lead into the possession of the home team. His extra point moved the lead to 10-7 with a few minutes remaining in the quarter.
The Falcon offense was once again forced to punt, and the Patriots would have just under a minute remaining with the wind at their back. However, the Patriots were unable to use the wind advantage before time expired in the third period. The fourth quarter started with the Patriots facing third and 10 from the Falcon 40-yard line. A one-yard quarterback scramble by Leizear led to a 4th and 9. On the next play Leizear broke the game open with his 39-yard completion to Ryan Pick that moved the Patriot lead to 17-7 with just over 11:00 remaining in the game.
The Patriot defense clamped down. Constant pressure was applied by Thomas Mulabah (finished with 8 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and two shared sacks), Sonny Terrones, Ed George, and Garrett Smith. The Falcons were able to move the ball, but were eventually forced to punt the ball back to the Patriots with 8:00 remaining. A sustained Patriot drive looked as if it was about to seal the contest as the ball was moved inside the Falcon 10-yard line. However, a fumble on the 5-yard line with three minutes remaining seemed to give life to the Falcons.
Briar Woods was able to move the ball with some clutch third down completions. After moving into Patriot territory, the Falcon threat was stopped on a fourth down interception by Leizear (who started this game at FS as well as playing QB on offense). After gaining a first down on a screen pass from Leizear to Johnston, the Patriots were able to kneel out the remaining time on the clock.
The Patriots move to 7-0 and head across Route 7 to face another inter-Sterling rivalry when they play Dominion High School on Friday, October 26. The game will be played at Dominion High School and kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
