Spartans, Falcons Set For Battle of Ashburn
More than just bragging rights are on the line when Broad Run hosts Briar Woods on Friday. The winner of this game takes the driver's seat in the Dulles District championship race, and the loser will be chasing the pack from behind.
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Briar Woods quarterback Austin Fratalli will be under the microscope against Broad Run this week as this contest against the Spartans is the first big test for the junior. The Spartans will pressure the first year starter all night long with various blitzes.
Photo By: Jan Johnson / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
One player who could have a major impact on the outcome could be Broad Run's Adrian Flemming. Flemming has had a quiet start to the season, but his size and speed will be a disadvantage to the Falcons when Broad Run is on offense. Look for the Spartans to try to exploit that and use Flemming down the field in the passing game.
Photo By: Jan Johnson / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
#8 BROAD RUN VS BRIAR WOODS
Friday September 26th, 2008*
Kickoff: 7:30pm
At Broad Run High School
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Gameday Radio Network Game of the Week
Live Coverage Begins Online at www.GamedayMagazine.com 7:00pm
Audio Available on AM 1200 WAGE Also
BROADCAST TEAM:
Andy Hayes (Play By Play)
John Murphy (Color Commentary)
Scott Boccia (Sideline)
ASHBURN, VA - Dulles District football fans will get a treat this week as district play opens with the two big powerhouses going toe to toe. #8 ranked Broad Run hosts cross town rival Briar Woods in what we have tabbed the "Battle of Ashburn!"
While many are afraid to say it, this game has serious Dulles District Championship implications as both teams are expected to be favored in every contest after this bout on Friday.
The Spartans enter this game with three big wins over opponents that leave much to be desired with regard to respectability. However, Broad Run has dominated in ways that lead many to believe that they are the team to beat in this match-up.
Their defense has been suffocating led by senior All Gameday linebacker Kenny McAdow. The Spartan 1st team defense has yet to be scored upon, and Broad Run has beaten their opponents by a margin of 138-33 in 2008.
Offensively, the Spartans have been dynamic behind the play of quarterback Chris Jessop and tailback Breon Earl. Both players are returning All Gameday players, and thus far in 2008, both have picked up where they left off last season where they led Broad Run to its first playoff appearance in a decade.
Briar Woods is also riding high after three consecutive wins. The Falcons have the best win between the two schools with a 27-13 victory over highly touted Millbrook in week one. They followed that up with wins over Manassas Park and Hedgesville to remain unbeaten leading into this bout with the Spartans.
Led by tailbacks Ray Telifarro and Billy McDonald, the Falcons have proven they can win by running the football. However, Briar Woods has the ability to throw the football with junior Austin Fratalli behind center.
This game will feature two well coached teams and several interesting matchups. Let's break it down.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Presented By: Fuddrucker's of Ashburn
Broad Run's Defensive Line vs Briar Woods Offensive Line
When the Falcons are on offense, the best match-up to watch will be how Broad Run handles the size and beef in the trenches for Briar Woods. The Falcon line is big and physical, and the real issue for the Spartans is the size and strength of Falcon Billy McDonald. This match-up reminds me of some of the great heavy weight fights we've seen in the past. Briar Woods is the big, bulky guy who can clobber you with jab after jab, and Broad Run is the smaller, quicker guy who can wear you out with endurance and agility. The Spartans will get their first big test defensively in this match-up and they will need a big time performance from their interior defensive line. Advantage......Briar Woods....
Briar Woods Defensive Backs vs Broad Run Skill Position Players:
Last year's game proved to be much closer than some though, but if Briar Woods is hoping for another close contest, they better get a handle quickly on Broad Run's speed on offense. The Spartans have some of the area's best skill guys, and nearly every one of them can change the game in one play. Breon Earl will be front and center for Broad Run on Friday in Burnett's offense, and for good reason. The 5'7 senior playmaker is a dynamic runner with the ball in his hands, and look for Earl to get more touches against the Falcons than in the previous three games the Spartans have played. Briar Woods will have to also account for Broad Run's size and speed advantage on the outside with receivers Adrian Flemming and Didier Saidi. If Broad Run can find balance early running the football, the Falcons could be in trouble as Burnett opens the offense up. Briar Woods has to take away the run or the pass, and make Broad Run one dimensional, which hasn't been easy for anyone to do since Burnett has been at the helm. Advantage.....Broad Run
KEYS TO VICTORY:
Presented By: Fellowship of Christian Athletes
For Broad Run:
- Force Falcons Into Long Yardage Situations On Offense
- Score Early To Put Pressure On The Falcon's Offense
- Win The Turnover Battle
For Briar Woods:
- Shorten The Game By Controlling The Line of Scrimmage
- Avoid Giving Up The Big Play
- Keep The Game Low Scoring
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Presented By: Atlanta Bread Company
Chris Jessop - Broad Run Quarterback
Jessop hasn't been in a close game this season behind center, but Friday's contest with Briar Woods could come down to the final drive. It will be interesting to see how the talented signal caller responds under pressure.
Austin Fratalli - Briar Woods Quarterback
Briar Woods will do everything they can to minimize the pressure on Fratalli, but no matter what they do, it will still be there. Fratalli can make a name for himself by leading the Falcons to their first signature win over rival Broad Run. Make no mistake about it, the Spartans will come after the young quarterback, and how he handles the pressure will be a major indicator of the Falcon's chances to win.
GAME OUTLOOK:
Presented By: Moe's Southwest Grill
This game features two of the brightest coaches in the area in Broad Run's Michael Burnett and Briar Woods's Charlie Pierce. Both have put their stamp on Ashburn football with their recent success, and both have playoff caliber teams in 2008. While both run the spread offense, Burnett's style out of the spread is different than Pierce's. The Falcons try to impose their will on you by running out of the spread, while the Spartans are more of a threat to get down the field and crush you with big plays. It will be an interesting tug of war that I'm sure everyone in attendance will enjoy. The real question mark for me is how Briar Woods matches up with Broad Run's speed. Look, in football, speed kills, and Broad Run has it. The Falcons are definitely bigger, and that has Burnett concerned if they can control the football. However, if Broad Run makes this game a shootout, then they have the advantage with their big play ability.
One key thing to remember, last year's Spartan win over the Falcons was helped by a big play on special teams. Broad Run blocked a punt late in the 4th quarter to secure the win, and Friday's contest could once again feature special teams play as the deciding edge. Thus far in 2008, the Falcons have the advantage in this area as they have scored more than once in the return game. Briar Woods senior Jeremy Gray could be the player to watch in this game after taking returns to the house in the last two games, even though one was called back due to a penalty.
Bottom line is this, Broad Run is at home and that should make a difference in this one. The Spartans learned how to win last year, and they expect to win this game. Briar Woods has to prove to everyone that they can beat the best in the Dulles District before anyone can truly call them a championship contender. So far, they are winless against the Spartans, and it will take their best game of the year to erase that goose egg in the win category.
INJURY REPORT:
Presented By: AID Performance Physical Therapy
Broad Run's talented junior tailback T.J Peeler was seen in a sling at practice on Wednesday, and his status for Friday's game is doubtful. Peeler's absence from the starting lineup could mean the return of Breon Earl to the true tailback position. Earl has been seeing most of his time on offense at the slot position. Peeler was also playing linebacker before he was injured.
MOTHER NATURE FORECAST:
Presented By: LightningWear.com
The Forecast for Friday is not looking good as of Thursday at 12am. All indications are the game may be moved to Saturday if the impending rain continues to look imminent. If they move the game to Saturday, it will be played at night. A wet field and sloppy conditions could favor the Briar Woods Falcons and in essence, neutralize the speed advantage Broad Run has at the skill positions.
GAME NOTES:
Presented By: Paintworx
PINK EFFECT IS IN:
This week will once again feature the Pink Effect at Broad Run to honor the Susan G. Comen Breast Cancer foundation. Students and faculty will wear pink to show their support for the cause at the game.
THE COACHES:
In his 3rd year at the helm, Broad Run's Michael Burnett has an overall record of 18-6 as the Spartan's head coach. Briar Woods head coach Charlie Pierce is in his 4th year as head coach of the Falcons, and in three varsity seasons he has an overall record of 15-9. Both Burnett and Pierce are 0-1 in the playoffs. Against one another, Burnett holds a 1-0 advantage over Pierce.
THE ROAD AHEAD:
Broad Run plays Briar Woods this week, then must immediately get ready for another showdown against another title contender in the Heritage Pride. Heritage is undefeated as well, and plays Friday against the undefeated Potomac Falls Panthers. Briar Woods will host Dominion next week then must head on the road to play the vastly improved Loudoun County Raiders the week after.
FATIGUE FACTOR:
At Wednesday's practice, Broad Run head coach Michael Burnett stressed to his kids that they pay attention to their diet and hydration leading up to kickoff. His concern arises from the fact that the Spartans have yet to be in a situation where their starters have been in the game for four full quarters.
LAST YEAR'S GAME:
Spartans Quiet The Talk, Beat Falcons 21-15
VIDEO PREVIEW:
Check back on Thursday night for an exclusive video preview of the Battle of Ashburn featuring comments from the players from both teams.
