Gameday Notebook: Loudoun Edition - Week 6
The Park View Patriots and Potomac Falls Panthers battled like prize fighters Friday night, with the Panthers coming out on top. Here, Park View's Brandon Absher gets swarmed over by Matt Hoover, Alexander Rice, and Greg Woodlief.
Phot By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine
Broad Run and Dominion engaged in a slugfest on Saturday, with the Spartans coming out on top. Here the Spartan's Joey Quigg is tackled for a loss by Dominion's Riley Sullivan.
Photo by Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine
Freshman PK David Clements came up big for the Briar Woods Falcons Friday against the Loudoun County Raiders. His 33 yard field goal in the 3rd quarter was the margin of vioctory for the Falcons.
Gamedaymagazine.com Photos
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA - We are into the 2nd half of the football season, and there really were no changes to where teams were heading going into this past weekend's games. Sure...there were some big games, but the outcomes were fairly predictable, and came true. Plus it was homecoming week for a few programs, which made the weekend that much more exciting and entertaining. The Bulldogs continued to barely break a sweat in their homecoming win, but the Spartans and Patriots didn't have that luxury. The Pride mauled the flightless Eagles, and the Vikings' date with Damien (Thigpen), and the Raiders was Omen-esque, to say the least. While the Falcons needed a "foot" to gain their 2nd District win...
Bulldogs Bite the Saxons...
Stone Bridge continued to instill their will over another opponent this past Friday, this time blanking the Langley Saxons 38-0, on homecoming night. Daniel Allen had another big night for the home team, carrying the ball 20 times for 185 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Nick Sheehan and Michael Prince also got into the action, each scoring a TD. If the continued dominance over hapless opponents isn't news enough, the bigger bulletin is the fact that Wake Forest commit, Zach Thompson, went down in the 2nd half with a severe knee injury. Reports are that Thompson will be out 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL ligament. Thompson is one of the lynch pins in the Bulldog defense, and we hope all will be well with the senior DE\TE.
Next: @ Madison - Friday, 7:30pm
Panthers are Kings of Sterling...
...for now, at least. After fending off the Park View Patriots for the 28-20 victory, a date with the Dominion Titans (on November 7), will actually decide that crown. But for now, the Panthers' win keeps their record perfect, and on track to duke it out with Broad Run in 2 weeks for the possible Dulles district title, should all play out according to plan. Michael Baker was, again, stellar for Potomac Falls, rushing for 115 yards on 21 carries. Although he didn't get into the endzone for his team, he was instrumental in helping set up 4 of the 5 scores on the night, including a couple of long 3rd and 4th down carries to continue drives. Chad McMichael and Tarrell Owens were stellar, as well, with each catching Greg Woodlief touchdown passes. The 2 combined for 10 catches of 199 yards. Woodlief added a 10 yard strike to Chris Pelto to end with 209 yards in the air, and scoring the games first touchdown in the 1st quarter. Park View's Brandon Lee is starting to emerge as the Patriot's leader. He appeared poised all night, even while being chased most of the night by the Panther defense. Look for big things from Lee in the near future, as he is getting more and more comfortable with his role each week.
Next: Park View @ Briar Woods - Friday, 7:30pm
Freedom @ Potomac Falls - Friday, 7:30pm
Spartans Fend Off Titan Charge...
Don't let the 27-6 final score fool you. This game was close until the final 2 minutes of the game! The Dominion Titans are admittedly having a disappointing season. The Broad Run Spartans are undefeated, and looking to repeat as Dulles District champs. So one would think the outcome of this one was predictable. However, the Titans don't read anyone's written predictions, nor idle chatter and blatherings. They came into Ashburn Saturday afternoon, and punched the Spartans dead in the jaw, and the home team was wobbling. With the score a mere 8-6 at the half, in favor of the Spartans, several Broad Run offensive drives stalled, and sometimes moved in reverse, only managing 2 second half field goals. But they weathered the tough Dominion defense, and put up a solid defensive effort of their own, limiting sophomore sensation Deandre Reaves to only 89 yards on 24 carries, and pulled away at the end with 2 late touchdowns. The Titans can build on this effort, as even in the loss, they now know they can compete with anyone in the District, as long as they can match the intensity of this past game. The Spartans need to fix some things with their offense, or else they may lose their bid to repeat!
Next: Broad Run @ Loudoun County - Friday, 7:30pm
Heritage @ Dominion - Friday, 7:30pm
Falcons By A Foot...
The Briar Woods Falcons traveled to Leesburg to battle the Loudoun County Raiders Friday night, and this was a battle from start to finish! A lot was on the line as the Falcons needed this win to stay alive in the District race, and the Raiders needed the victory to keep play-off hopes alive. In a see-saw battle after a scoreless 1st quarter, the Falcons scored first, with a JT Bailey 3 yard run. The Raiders roared right back and capped a 12 play drive with a Joe Bushrod 2 yard plunge of his own. After another Briar Woods touchdown late in the quarter, they found themselves in front 14-7. The 3rd quarter ended up being a very important quarter for the Falcons. Although the offense sputtered for the remainder of the game, they managed to get a David Clements 32 yard field goal midway through the 3rd. With the Raiders answering with a touchdown to cut the margin to 17-14, the Falcons held off a late Loudoun County charge by intercepting Bushrod in the endzone, to end the night, and County's chance for the come-from-behind home win.
Next: Broad Run @ Loudoun County - Friday, 7:30pm
Park View @ Briar Woods - Friday, 7:30pm
Vikings Play Hard in Loss...
The Loudoun Valley Vikings and the Stonewall Jackson Raiders have been on the same track this season...the winless track. So going into this night, someone would break that ceiling on their season. Although the Vikings played with a renewed vigor, they were unfortunate going into this game, as the Raiders had there weapon back...5A recruit, and Tennessee commit, RB Damien Thigpen. The Vikings did put a scare into the Raiders early, as they enjoyed a 13-7 halftime lead. But it was all Thigpen the rest of the way, and the Stonewall defense followed suit. Thigpen ended the night with 199 yards on 32 carries, and scored all 4 of his teams' touchdowns. Senior Chris Music scored the only 2 Viking touchdowns, but all came in the 1st half. The Vikings were shut down in the 2nd half, not gaining a single yard on offense.
Next: @ Culpeper - Friday, 7:30pm
Pride Feast on Eagles...
What can you say about this game? With the Heritage Pride defeating the Freedom Eagles 64-21? Not much. The Pride amassed 359 yards on the ground Friday night, to Freedom's 76. Ross Madison led Heritage with 139 yards on 18 carries and 5 touchdowns, with QB Zach Gordon following with a 105 yard night of his own. Freedom's Luke Bratton continues to put up impressive numbers under adverse conditions. Bratton tossed for 182 yards, completing 14 of 22 attempts, and had 1 touchdown through the air, and ran one in as well. Another impressive moment for the Eagles came in the 4th quarter, when senior Marcus Clinton returned a Pride kick-oof 95 yards for a score.
Next: Heritage @ Dominion - Friday, 7:30pm
Freedom @ Potomac Falls - Friday, 7:30pm
Friday Night Loudoun County Gameday Radio Broadcast Schedule
Tune into www.gamedaymagazine.com at 7:15pm for your favorite game.
Stone Bridge @ Madison
Grant Paulsen, Sean Griffen, & Scott Bocia
Broad Run @ Loudoun County
Bob Vlasic & John Murphy
Park View @ Briar Woods
Bruce Bornarth & Chris Starke
Heritage @ Dominion
Richard Colven, Paul Cadwell, & Mitch Rogers
