Gameday Notebook: Loudoun Edition - Week 5
Broad Run's Adrian Fleming lays out for this Chris Jessop pass in the end zone for his 2nd touchdown catch of the night. The Spartans turned back a late Heritage charge to stay undefeated, and in 1st place in the Dulles District.
Photos by Marc Le Maitre \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Park View QB Brandon Lee accounted for all 6 Patriot scores on the night against the Freedom Eagles, tossing 4 and running for 2. The Patriots improved to 2-3, 1-1 in the Dulles District.
Photos by Dave Bernhardt \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Briar Woods RB Ray Taliaferro found the road tough hauling Friday night against a tough Dominion defense. Here he gets lassoed by LB Riley Sullivan. Taliaferro scored the games lone touchdown in the 2nd quarter, and the Falcons escped with the 7-0 win.
Photos by Jan Johnson \ Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA - We've reached the half-way point of the season for Loudoun County football teams, and we can now see things more clearly. With the exception of who will win the Dulles District, we can now see distinct separation, after 2 weeks of Dulles play. The 1st 2 weeks were very exciting, and a bit surprising. But there were no surprises on this Friday night, and teams are now starting to pull away from the pack...while others are taking their place as also-rans...
Bulldogs Keep Taking A Bite Out Of Their Competition...
The Stone Bridge Bulldogs dismantled yet another hapless opponent, rolling over the South Lakes Seahawks, 51-6, in Reston. No surprise here, as the Bulldogs scored 22 points in the 1st quarter, and never looked back. Senior QB, Patrick Thompson scored 3 touchdowns rushing, added a 2-point conversion run, and tallied another score threw the air, hitting Johnny Bladel from 6 yards out. Daniel Allen and Marcus Harris each added touchdown runs, and Mike Olson picked off South Lakes QB Justin Zeller, and raced 30 yards for the other Bulldog score of the night. The question still remains for Stone Bridge...Will this team ever play its starters, deep into the 2nd half, before the play-offs start?
Next: Home vs. Langley - Friday, 7:30pm
Vikings Still Fighting With Unloaded Cannons...
The Loudoun Valley defense played a very good game Friday night, but had no support from their offense, for the 4th time in 5 games, and fell to Fauquier 28-0, in Purcellville. In spite of the tumultuous season so far for the Vikings, this team still plays every game with heart, and determination. Good things will start to happen for this young team, as long as they continue to work solid, fight hard from the starting whistle to the final gun, stay unified as a team, and tune out the negativity and distractions that surrounds this team from outside sources!
Next: @ Stonewall Jackson - Friday, 7:30pm
Panthers Give Notice On The Dulles...
The Potomac Falls Panthers traveled to Leesburg Friday night to take on the surprising Loudoun County Raiders, in a match-up between 2 undefeated [District] teams. The Panthers had averaged 46.5 points per game going into this game, and this night would be no different, in a lopsided 47-21 victory, to keep their record spotless. Seniors Greg Woodlief and Michael Baker continued to put up big numbers for the Panthers, each scoring touchdowns on the night. Baker ended his night with 19 carries for 119 yards. Junior WR Tarrell Owens' only had 2 pass receptions in the game, but also went for scores. Although Raider QB Joe Bushrod was impressive with his scrambling ability, and another 200+ passing game (16-30-228, 1 TD), the Potomac Falls defense clamped down on the Loudoun County offense all night, creating 5 turnovers, and scoring off of 4 of them. Going into this contest, there were still some questions with regard to both programs. After the game, all questions were answered, but the 2 main queries retorts are, (1) the Raiders, although much improved from last year, still have work to do, and just aren't ready to contend for a Dulles title in 2008, and (2) the Panthers are for real, and have their eyes on snatching the District crown off of the Broad Run Spartans' heads (See story in Inside The Huddle, on Gamedaymagazine's latest Headlines).
Next: Potomac Falls @ Park View - Friday, 7:30pm
Briar Woods @ Loudoun County - Friday, 7:30pm
The Measure Of Spartan Character...
The Broad Run Spartans knew they would be in for a tough battle against the Heritage Pride on Friday, but their character would be at test in this game, too. For the 1st time this season, the Spartans trailed in a game. On their 2nd possession of the 1st quarter, Heritage QB Zach Gordon capped a 13 play, 6 minute drive, by hitting sophomore Dan Dykema in the end zone from 4 yards out. Character Test #1 was passed as Broad Run scored the next 3 touchdowns to go up 21-7. The Spartan faithful knew this game would be as the others...a now slow, methodical dismantling of yet another opponent. But the Pride weren't buying into the hype! Heritage's defense stiffened the rest of the night, and after adding 2 field goals in each of the 3rd and 4th quarters, found themselves behind by a mere 8 points, midway through the final quarter. After another defensive stand, the Pride found themselves with the ball, with a little over 6 minutes remaining. Heritage moved the ball down the to Broad Run 6, and on 1st and goal, sophomore Joe Walter stepped in front of the potential touchdown toss, and returned the ball 53 yards, and Character Test #2 was passed with flying colors. The Spartans held onto their unblemished record with the 21-13 final. This sets up a potential Dulles District title fight against Potomac Falls on October 24, should they both stay perfect after the next 2 weeks.
Next: Dominion @ Broad Run - Saturday, 1:30pm
Heritage @ Freedom - Friday, 7:30pm
Falcons Stay Just Out Of Reach...
After a disheartening loss to rival Broad Run last week, the Briar Woods Falcons looked to stay in the Dulles race by hosting the Dominion Titans, and prolific RB Deandre Reaves. The Falcons' defense came out to play this night, and they held Reaves to a meager 40 yards on 20 carries, thus shutting down the Titans offense. The Falcon offense didn't fare much better, but was able to put up a touchdown score by Ray Taliaferro late in the 2nd quarter, and hold on for the 7-0 final. Taliaferro ended his night with 142 yards on 18 carries.
Next: Briar Woods @ Loudoun County - Friday, 7:30pm
Dominion @ Broad Run - Saturday, 1:30pm
Patriots Bounce Back...
The Park View Patriots were reeling after a home loss to Loudoun County last week, and were in need of some healing. A trip to South Riding was just what the doctor ordered, and the Patriots responded, with a 41-13 thumping of the Freedom Eagles. After another Eagle starter went down with an injury during the week (the Eagles have been decimated with key injuries, as 10 starters have gone down since the start of the season), the Freedom morale surely isn't what it was to start the season, and Park View took advantage of it early, and often, behind junior Brandon Lee. Lee accounted for all 6 Patriot touchdowns, throwing for 4, and running in 2, while amassing 283 offensive yards. Freedom QB Luke Bratton was valiant in defeat, throwing for 108 yards on 12-36 passing, and 2 touchdowns. Bratton added 32 rushing yards on the night. The Patriots now have a home date with Potomac Falls, and need a victory to stay in the race.
Next: Potomac Falls @ Park View - Friday, 7:30pm
Heritage @ Freedom - Friday, 7:30pm
Broadcast Schedule of Loudoun County Teams
POTOMAC FALLS @ PARK VIEW
Friday, 7:30pm
Bruce Bornarth & Tom Whipple
LANGLEY @ STONE BRIDGE
Friday, 7:30pm
Sean Griffen & Glen Wooten
BRIAR WOODS @ LOUDOUN COUNTY
Friday, 7:30pm
Chris Starke & Kevin Reed
HERITAGE @ FREEDOM
Friday, 7:30pm
Paul Cadwell & TBD
DOMINION @ BROAD RUN
**Saturday, 1:30pm**
Tom Whipple & John Murphy
