Gameday Notebook: Loudoun County Week 1
Loudoun County's Joe Bushrod has played well this season so far, and his athleticism should give the Raiders a chance to score plenty this fall.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver - Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Heritage tailback Ross Madison is playing even better than he did last season when he established himself as one of the best in the Dulles District....Madison and Pride are 2-0...
Photo By: Marc Le Maitre / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Broad Run's Chris Jessop has the Spartans on a roll after scoring 54 against Ballou last week. Broad Run has a bye this Friday....
Photo By: Barry de Nicola / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
STERLING, VA -- Back by popular demand, behold the 2008 Loudoun Notebook! A weekly football round-up for Loudoun County programs. One small change you will see this season will be the occasional omission of the Stone Bridge Bulldogs. Since they are the proverbial "Kings of the Mountain," having taken the Division 5 crown in 2007, they will be included more frequently in Gamedaymagazine.com's Northern Region Notebook. But not to worry Bulldog backers...I may see fit to include them from time to time, as information warrants.
Now some may be wondering, "How can you justify calling this Week #1, with 2 weeks under the proverbial football belt?" This is purposeful, as now we can review, with more scrutiny, team's seasons to date, before going into the upcoming game breakdowns. Hopefully you see the methods of my madness!
Men of Troy Continue To Dominate...
In a potentially scary situation, the Broad Run Spartans (2-0) went into their home game against DC power, Ballou, Friday night literally blind as to what to expect. The Knights hadn't played a game yet, to include scrimmages, thus no game films were available to Coach Burnett to review. A problem? If it was, the Spartans didn't show it, as they scored early...and often, enroute to a 54-14 drubbing. Sr. QB Chris Jessop broke the ice early, as he raced to a 65 yard touchdown run. Jr. RB T.J. Peeler added a 20 yard score, and the Spartans were in control the rest of the way. On the rain soaked night, Jessop led all rushers with 98 yards, and 2 TD's. Sr. Breon Earl added 77 yards on only 7 carries and a score. Broad Run runs their record to 2-0.
Up Next: Bye Week; September 19 - Home vs. Brentsville, 7:30pm
A Matter of "Pride" In AA...
The Heritage Pride (2-0) continued to show the football critics that they are a team to be reckoned with, after a come-from-behind win at South Lakes in week #1, then putting on a clinic in their home opener against North Hagerstown (MD) Friday night, thumping the Hubs 56-28. Sr. RB Ross Madison led the charge for the Pride, racing into the end zone 3 times, rushing for 129 yards on only 8 carries. Impressive in its own right, but it was the opening play of the game that Heritage fans will remember. Madison took the opening kick-off 90 yards to the house, and set the tone for the remainder of the game. Heritage put up 36 points in the 1st quarter. With District play 2 weeks away, another win this week will send the Pride confidence into the clouds, and send the District race into a toss-up.
Up Next: Friday, Home vs. Brentsville, 7:30pm
Mawling The Competition...
The Potomac Falls Panthers (2-0) rolled to 2-0 Friday night, at the expensive of a very young Hedgesville team in WV Friday night. Potomac Falls employed a very balanced offensive attack, doing what coach Woodlief said (during his press conference at the 2008 Gameday Media Day) would be the norm on the Panther season...throwing the ball to set up the run. QB Greg Woodlief threw for 213 yards, connecting 9 times on 16 attempts, and 2 touchdowns. Woodlief also ran for 51 yards and a touchdown. RB Michael Baker carried the running load for Potomac Falls, finding the end zone 3 times, ending the night with 76 yards. Senior Chris Pelto got into the act, as well, on defense, picking off an Eagle pass in the 3rd quarter, and taking it the other way for the 52 yard score. Senior Chad Michael led all receivers with 5 receptions for 140 yards.
Up Next: Friday, Home vs. Jefferson (WV)
Soaring Towards A Championship...?
The Briar Woods Falcons (1-0) took the week off last week. In their opener against Millbrook, at home the week before, the Falcons exacted a measure of revenge from 2007's 1st round playoff game, with the Pioneers coming from behind late to advance, and end the Briar Woods season. Briar Woods outlasted Millbrook in this one, after a seesaw battle, and took away the 27-13 victory. The Falcons pounded out an effective ground game, using 4 different ball carriers, amassing 194 total rushing yards, and 2 TD's, both by Jr. Billy McDonald. But it was the play of the defense that was the story on this night, as 2 interceptions were returned for touchdowns. Sr. LB Jake Ashton took the 1st pick 39 yards, for the 1st score of the game, and Sr. J.T. Bailey snagged a 3rd quarter pick, and raced 41 yards for the 2nd defensive score on the night.
Up Next: Friday @ Manassas Park, 7:30pm
Raider Nation Hot And Cold...
Loudoun County (1-1) started their season on the right foot 2 weeks ago, going to WV and turning the Mussleman Applemen into Applesauce, 20-2. So the confidence was high when they came home to host Handley on Friday. But history would not repeat itself this week, as they could not contain the Judge's Jeremiah Wilson, nor figure out the speedy Handley defense. Wilson carried the ball 21 times for 283 yards, and 6 touchdowns, including runs of 46, 51, and 63 yards. Raider QB Joe Bushrod had good numbers on the night, throwing the ball for 211 yards and a touchdown, hitting Mike Ayoub 9 times for 129 of those yards. But the Judge defense picked him off 6 times to stop drives that could have made the game closer than the outcome.
Up Next: Friday @ James Wood, 7:00pm
Eagles Flying High...
After getting manhandled 2 weeks ago against Broadway, the Freedom Eagles (1-1) bounced back in a big way, coming away with their 1st win in almost 2 full seasons, upending the Brentsville Tigers, in Manassas, 22-14. Senior RB Jeff Pugh was the difference maker, being able to keep his feet in the muddy conditions, scoring 2 touchdowns, on 87 yards rushing. The back breaker coming early in the 2nd half, as he trotted to a 29 yard score.
Up Next: Bye Week; September 19 - @ King George, 7:30pm
Hurricane Hanna Not A Patriot...!
The Park View Patriots (0-2) are off to one of their worse starts in recent memory, dropping their 2nd game of the season to visiting Jefferson (WV), in an overtime thriller, 42-36. Park View was run out of Herndon the week before, 34-6, and now find themselves in an 0-2 hole. District play starts in 2 weeks, and they get a chance at righting the ship, at least in District play. In this game, The Hurrican Hanna rains solled in and made life miserable for all in attendance in Sterling. The Patriots fell behind by 2 touchdowns early, then ran off 28 unanswered points to get the home crowd back into the game. But Jefferson roared right back to send the game into OT, then used a swarming defense, and took advantage of the elements, to secure the victory.
Up Next: Saturday - @ Handley, 1:00pm
Titan Time Is Back to Basics...
After Dominion (0-1) had there hats handed to them in Week 1 against Washington-Lee, coach Buckwalter took advantage of their "Bye" this week, working his Titans extra hard in practices, and concentrating on one glaring shortcoming...hitting! The Titans beat up on each other over the course of 10 days, and hopefully it pays off this week. QB Chris Taylor should be healthy after a tough blow in Week 1.
Up Next: Friday @ Millbrook, 7:00pm
A Rude Debut...
The Loudoun Valley Vikings (0-1) had an extra week to prepare for their season opener at Forest Park, and the extra time didn't help, as the Bruins spoiled the coaching debut of coach Danny McGrath, blanking the Vikings 16-0. It doesn't get any easier this week, as the 2007 Division 6 runners up are next for Loudoun Valley, at Woodbridge.
Up Next: Friday, @ Woodbridge, 7:30pm
LOUDOUN COUNTY GAMES ON THE AIR
The following games will be broadcast LIVE, Worldwide, on the Gameday Radio Network this weekend, along with the broadcasters scheduled to bring you all the live action:
Friday, September 12
(All games 7:30 unless noted)
Stone Bridge @ Marshall
Sean Griffen & Glenn Wooten
Brentsville @ Heritage
Paul Cadwell & Justin Hite
Jefferson (WV) @ Potomac Falls
Andy Hayes & Bruce Bornarth
Briar Woods @ Manassas Park
Chris Starke & Vince Sacco
Saturday, September 13
Park View @ Handley
Tom Whipple & Bruce Bornarth
