Day 9: The Broad Run Spartans
The Broad Run Spartans were hard at work on Thursday preparing for the 2008 football season. Unlike in years past, Broad Run enters this fall as the clear favorite in the Dulles District....
Photo By: Gameday Magazine
Quarterback Chris Jessop scrambles in practice during team drills on Thursday. Jessop played some last year behind center, but this season will be his first opportunity to be the every week starter.....
Photo By: Helene Shain / Gameday Magazine
ASHBURN, VA - It's hard to top a perfect regular season, but not in the minds of the Broad Run Spartans, who enter the 2008 football season as the top ranked team in the Dulles District.
Broad Run learned how to win last season after years of frustration and losing seasons. Head Coach Michael Burnett has done an impeccable job in his first two seasons, leading the Spartans to their first ever undefeated regular season, and just their third playoff appearance in school history.
While football success hasn't been the norm for one of the oldest schools in Loudoun County, that might be about to change. The Spartans will field a talented team in 2008, led by quarterback Chris Jessop. Jessop was selected to the 2007 All Gameday Team as a cornerback, but his greatest impact this fall will be seen on offense. His athleticism and arm strength will open up the offense for Broad Run, and that could mean more big plays down the field.
The Spartans have speed all over the field, and the only problem Burnett may have is finding enough footballs to feed his stable of athletes. Tailback Breon Earl, also an All Gameday selection last fall, returns for his senior season. He will move to the slot due to the emergence of junior tailback T.J Peeler, who by all accounts is set to make a name for himself this season.
Joining Earl and Peeler on the field is the dangerous Adrian Flemming at wide receiver. Flemming is 6'4 and extremely fast. His size and athleticism will give Jessop a go to guy down the field that few defensive backs will be able to match up with.
The big question mark for this Spartan offense is in the trenches. Gone are the likes of George Black, Bryan Morrison, and Jake Muth due to graduation. Center Shawn Lewis and guard Taylor Evans will be counted on to lead the 2008 unit. If the Spartans can gel in the trenches, lookout! This team could be scary on offense.
Defensively, Broad Run returns the most physical player in the district in linebacker Kenny McAdow. McAdow, a returning All Gameday player from 2007, is in great shape after recovering from a leg injury sustained in Lacrosse season.
Junior Joey Quigg will be the most explosive player on defense for the Spartans in the secondary, and should give the opposition's best wide receiver fits each game. Flemming, Jessop, and several more offensive players will most likely have to spend time on defense to help shore this unit up.
The outlook is bright for Broad Run, but according to Burnett, the Spartans have a long way to go.
"We need to come together, and we aren't there yet in some areas on the field," said Burnett. "We have some great skill guys, but like I've told people, if you don't block for them, there's not much you can do on offense."
5 Camp Observations:
The Spartans Have The Swagger They Need
This team is jacked up to play this season, and being the frontrunner doesn't bother them at all. While the Spartans graduated some talented seniors from a year ago, the 2008 senior class will be as strong if not stronger with regard to leadership. This team doesn't just believe it can win every game, they know it. That couldn't be said for prior Broad Run teams. Confidence is at an all-time high at Broad Run.
Practice Intensity Is High
Whether it was for the cameras or not, this team gets things done at practice. They run to the football, they make noise, and they are efficient in what they do on the field. It was clear that Burnett and defensive coordinator Adam Fortune run a very organized practice schedule.
Covering The Spread:
No, I'm not talking about the point spread this fall, but instead the look we saw Broad Run in most of the day on offense. Jessop was in the shotgun with either McAdow, Earl, or Peeler next to him on the right or left. Lots of run option plays for the athletic Jessop, and several pass that are designed to get the strong armed right hander out of the pocket. Don't be fooled though, if the spread offensive look doesn't work, Burnett will have no problem going back to the I-formation and telling his backs to follow behind McAdow for three yards and a cloud of dust.
Expect More Zone Blocking:
With the offensive line entering the season as a question mark, my guess is Burnett will alter his blocking scheme some to feature more zone blocking. The zone blocking scheme neutralizes a size and strength disadvantage, and uses a defense's aggressiveness against them. Broad Run has some athleticism at the tackle position with Will Field, and tight end Kevin Sanderson can also use his feet to seal the edge. Look for more of a quick hitting running attack from the Spartans this fall as opposed to the power attack they mainly featured last year.
The Uncertainty Exists:
While the stable is full of athletes, the Spartans still have some growing to do as a team if they are going to make a deeper run in the post-season. They will have a target on their chest every week which means every team will give them their best shot. The Dulles District is the great unknown this fall. While most believe Broad Run is head above heels the best team, there are several programs that will be improved this season. Jessop will have to show he can manage the offense and keep the team out of bad plays. My guess is, it will take him a few weeks to get to that point, but once he does, this team will be tough to beat. That being said, a major injury to any of the stars on this club, and things will get much more interesting down the stretch of the regular season. Stay tuned.....
