McFadden Leads Eagles To Upset Win
HAYMARKET, VA - The 2008 postseason got underway Friday night for the Northwest Region. The top-seeded Battlefield Bobcats squared off with the 4th-seeded Osbourn Eagles. Many thought coming into the game it could go wither way because the game earlier in the season was a close one. Battlefield defeated Osbourn during the regular season 17-14 in overtime without Adrian Ingram, who missed the game due to injury. So, as Battlefield searched for their first-ever playoff win in school history, and Osbourn looked to get back to their dominant form, the two teams took the field for what would eventually be tabbed as a "Gameday Instant Classic", as the Osbourn Eagles defeated the Battlefield Bobcats 22-20.
Battlefield was able to cross into Osbourn territory on their first drive of the game behind some very tough running by Adrian Ingram; however, the drive stalled and Battlefield was forced to punt. Osbourn started with a false start penalty and never recovered on their first possession, as it became clear this game would become a field position battle. Battlefield was again able to get into Osbourn territory but gave the ball away on downs at the Osbourn 30 yard line. Osbourn turned to their quarterback Thomas Keith to take them down the field on their next drive. Keith completed just 3 passes, but they totaled 56 yards and the Eagles found themselves in the red zone at the Battlefield 19. It turned out to be one of only two red zone possessions for the game, both by Osbourn. The drive stalled for Osbourn and Tyler Schultze gave them a 3-0 lead with :34 remaining in the opening quarter with a 36 yard field goal.
For the 3rd consecutive time in the game Battlefield drove into Osbourn territory but could not finish off the drive, turning the ball over on downs to the Eagles. On Osbourn's next possession it would be the Bobcat defense making the big play, when Adrian Ingram stepped n front of a Thomas Keith pass for the interception, and Battlefield had the ball inside Osbourn territory again. On the second play of the drive a bad handoff exchange between Bo Revell and Gerald Khosa put the ball on the ground and the Eagles recovered. After trading possessions Battlefield pinned Osbourn deep in their own end of the field with a very good punt by Matt Plum. It seemed that with only seconds remaining in the 1st half that Coach Steve Schultze would be okay with simply killing the clock and taking a 3-0 halftime lead. That was not the case as Jerell McFadden took the snap from center on his own 14 yard line and swept right; McFadden then stopped his momentum and threw back across the field where he connected with Rodney Whitehead. Whitehead made a great catch and managed to stay on his feet getting past the Battlefield defender and racing into the end zone for the 86 yard touchdown. Whitehead ended the night with 3 catches for 104 yards and the touchdown. Osbourn's extra point was blocked and at the break it was 9-0 in favor of the road team.
Coming out of the locker room it was Battlefield's defense that would make the early statement of the 3rd quarter, forcing two consecutive 3 and outs against the Eagles. Enter Sheldon Tabscott, Tabscott took the handoff from Revell and raced 46 yards almost untouched for a touchdown closing the gap to 9-6 after a missed extra point. With 7:18 to go in the 3rd quarter the game was down to a field goal difference with plenty of time left. The momentum in the game was shifting toward the home stands and when Blaine Mason intercepted Keith o the very next possession the stadium was going crazy for the home squad; however, the Battlefield drive would stall and they punted back to the Eagles as the 3rd quarter came to a close.
Osbourn did not wait long into the final stanza to extend the lead again. With McFadden at quarterback the Eagles ran motion into the formation and Timmy Keith took the handoff from McFadden and turned the left corner and beat everybody down the field for an Osbourn touchdown that increased the lead to 16-6 with just 11:30 to play in the game. Battlefield would not go away easily, taking their next possession down the field on an 11 play 4 minute drive that culminated with an Adrian Ingram touchdown plunge from the 1 yard line. The score stood at 16-13 with 7:28 to play. After forcing another stop against the Eagles, Battlefield took over on the 14 yard line and it was Bo Revell leading the team down the field and into the lead for the first time all night. After finding Blaine Mason for a 15 yard completion, Revell wasted no time looking downfield again. Revell dropped back and connected with a wide open Cooper Bull for a 54 yard touchdown and a 20-16 Battlefield lead with just 2:30 left to play in the contest. Revell finished the night 11-27 for 164 yards and the late touchdown.
The Battlefield faithful were going crazy, and the Osbourn fans could not believe that the win may slip away, but there was still over 2 minutes left in this one and all of it was exciting. A short kickoff by Battlefield and a decent return for Osbourn placed the ball inside Bobcats territory at the 45. On 3rd down and 10 Thomas Keith broke containment and raced 23 yards for a first down to keep the drive alive. With the ball at the Battlefield 25 yard line and time running out Osbourn tried to go to the air twice but were unsuccessful. It was then 4th down and 13 when Thomas Keith and Jerell McFadden made the play of the game. Keith took the shotgun snap and looked downfield, nobody was open and so Keith kept the play alive running from side to side looking downfield for a receiver. It was very reminiscent of backyard football when the quarterback says hike and everybody runs around until he decides to throw the ball. Keith kept the play alive for at least 10 seconds when McFadden came open and Keith made the throw. It was a gain of 16 yards inside the Battlefield 10 yard line and the stadium was stunned at what had just happened. Osbourn moved the ball inside the Battlefield 2 yard line with just under :30 to play in the game. McFadden took the snap and converted for the Eagles, getting into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Battlefield had a chance with :20 to play but their efforts could not get into field goal range and the Osbourn Eagles had defeated the Bobcats 22-20.
Osbourn now moves on to play the Woodbridge Vikings for the Northwest Region Division 6 title next weekend. Woodbridge defeated Osbourn 31-3 early in this season, and these two teams also met for the Northwest Region title in 2006, the year Osbourn took home the state title.
Velocity Sports Performance Players of the Game
Osbourn: Jerell McFadden, RB/QB
McFadden has had a phenomenal season for the Eagles, and last night was no different. McFadden tallied 12 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown, he was 2-3 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown, and he caught 4 passes for 47 yards. McFadden totaled 210 yards of offense on 19 touches, a better than 11 yard average per touch. He was also responsible for shutting down the Battlefield passing attack in the Eagles' secondary.
Battlefield: Cooper Bull, H-Back
Cooper Bull will do anything asked of him in the Battlefield offense. Last night, in his final game he recorded 7 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. Bull also paved the way for Adrian Ingram to gain over 100 yards on the night.
