Gameday Notebook: Loudoun Edition - Week 4
The Broad Run Spartans are charging hard through their competition this season, including a convincing 29-0 victory over Briar Woods Friday night in Ashburn...
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine Senior Photographer
Loudoun County RB Adam Yesouf and his Raiders team have raced into the Dulles District title race...
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine Senior Photographer
Dominion RB Deandre Reaves (shown here during training camp) got back on track Friday against Freedom. Reaves rushed for 245 yards, and scored 3 touchdowns rushing, and added an 85 yard KO return for score...
Photo By Derek LeComte \ Gameday Magazine
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA - District play began for Loudoun County teams Friday night, and for as long as I can remember, never had so much been on the line, this early in the season, for so many teams. Oh sure...defending champions played as such, with Broad Run and Stone Bridge instilling their will on their week 5 opponents. But this was "Separation Friday." The night where 4 undefeated teams put their perfection on the line against each other in the Dulles race. Well, sort of. But there would only be 2 teams with unblemished records when the dust settled, and 2 would emerge as co-leaders, at least for the rest of the week, while the rest would lay chase. And one lone Cedar Run team would still be looking for that one win that would boost morale, for the moment. This was certainly a night of preliminary title fights, and the only thing missing was Michael Buffer on the PA microphone...
Under-Card #1 - Freedom vs. Dominion
The Titans scored the TKO early in this match-up, as the Eagles, having played very good football of late, found themselves depleted by injury going in, with only 4 seniors suiting up for the game. Not what you want when you have to face an explosive runner in Dominion's Deandre Reaves. Reaves thrilled the home crowd early, and often on this night, scoring the games 1st 3 touchdowns. The 1st from 52 yards out. Reaves added a 58 yard romp for his 3rd score of the night, and this game was never in doubt, as the Titans came away with their 1st win of the season, 35-7. Reaves ran for 247 yards on 24 carries, with 228 of those yards coming in the 1st half. He scored 4 times in the game, the last coming on an 85 yard kick-off return in the 4th quarter. After being tagged in the nose the past 3 games, the Titans pulled themselves off the canvas, and are now tied for the Dulles District lead.
Next: Dominion @ Briar Woods - Friday, 7:30pm
Freedom vs. Park View - Friday, 7:30pm
Under-Card #2 - Loudoun County vs. Park View
The Patriots had a lot to be confident about going into this bout. They were coming off a nice come from behind victory over an excellent Handley team, in Winchester, and had 2 weeks to lick all wounds, and get healthy, as they looked to get back on track, and go after that Dulles crown that eluded them last season. The Loudoun County Raiders had been touted as an "up-and-comer." A team that has vastly improved over last year, but is maybe still a year away from a possible contention for the crown. Well, did anyone bother to poll Raider Nation? Loudoun County went into Sterling Friday night knowing the Patriot story. But they didn't care, and the Raiders spoiled their hosts' night, and shot at the title, by employing a stifling defense all game, turning away 2 key Park View drives late, and scored the 21-4 knockout of the former champions. It certainly wasn't pretty, but the Raiders controlled the game by controlling the time of possession, and not turning the ball over. Don't look now, but the future is now, as the Raiders are contenders!
Next: Loudoun County vs. Potomac Falls - Friday, 7:30pm
Park View @ Freedom - Friday, 7:30pm
Under-Card #3 - Heritage vs. Potomac Falls
The Pride and Panthers went into Friday's under-card each undefeated, and each looking for Respect and Redemption..."Respect" from outsiders who still look at their programs under microscopes, by finding fault in previous victories, saying opponents were weak. "Redemption" being sought for themselves...to now know that, should they win, they are truly at the top of the Dulles crop. This was supposed to be a game between 2 heavyweights...slugging it out and trading blows, until one fell, and the victor would be the one left standing. Well that was not to be in this clash. Potomac Falls capitalized on many Heritage miscues, and blown coverages, and before the Pride knew what hit them, the score was 28-0, and pretty much out of reach by the end of the 1st quarter. Chad McMichael got the train rolling for the Panthers right from the opening kick-off, as he took the boot 78 yards, setting up a quick 4 play touchdown drive. Michael Baker was the journeyman once again, rushing for 120 yards and 3 TD's. This game was a disappointment to those looking for a clash of 2 would-be champions, and the Panthers score the 1st round TKO...
Next: Potomac Falls @ Loudoun County - Friday, 7:30pm
Heritage vs. Broad Run - Friday, 7:30pm
Main Event - Briar Woods (Challenger) vs. Broad Run (Champion)
This was touted as the Battle of Ashburn, and a battle of one challenger (Briar Woods) looking to supplant the champs (Broad Run), and be the Kings of the Mountain. They certainly had all the hype behind them...dismantling their prior opponents with little effort, and sporting a defense that is high flying, hard hitting, and stingy. And once again, as was the case with Heritage v. Potomac Falls, this one was never close! The defending Dulles District champs too flaunt a defense that is smothering, and dangerous. But they have one thing the Falcons have yet consistently sport...a prolific offense. The Spartans were once again led by QB Chris Jessop. Jessop scored the games 1st touchdown, on a 6 yard run, and later in the 1st quarter hitting Didier Saidi with a 21 yard pass-and-catch. Add a 34 yard Graham Allen field goal, and the Falcons got the standing 8-count in the 1st, and it never got better. The Spartans take this one, 29-0, and tell the competition that you'd better bring your "A" game if you think you can knock down the champ!
Next: Broad Run @ Heritage - Friday, 7:30pm
Briar Woods vs. Dominion - Friday, 7:30pm
The next rounds of Dulles District fights will be exciting, and we will again see separation from the pack....maybe! One thing is for certain, and that is that NOTHING is for certain this year. The champs can definitely run into trouble against Heritage this week, as the Pride are hurt and hungry. We'll find out whether Loudoun County or Potomac Falls are contenders, or pretenders, after this week, too. So stay tuned...we're bring a lot of the title fight action to you each and every week!
In other Loudoun County action Friday, the Stone Bridge Bulldogs didn't break much of a sweat against McLean, in Ashburn, dispatching the Highlanders 51-13. The big question after this game is will the Bulldog starters EVER play well into the 2nd half?
The Loudoun Valley Vikings had a tough go of it again Friday night, this time against Osbourn Park, in Cedar Run district action. The Manassas team blanked the Vikings 21-0, and has now been blanked in 3 of their 4 games this season. Keep believing Vikings...things will get better the longer you believe, and work hard!
Loudoun County Broadcast Schedule
All games Friday, October 3, 7:30pm. Pregame shows begin at 7:15pm
Potomac Falls @ Loudoun County
Tom Whipple & Bruce Bornarth
Dominion @ Briar Woods
Chris Starke & George Khalsa
Broad Run @ Heritage
Bob Vlasic & John Murphy
Park View @ Freedom
Justin Waddle & Scott Boccia
Stone Bridge @ South Lakes
Grant Paulsen & Glen Wooten
