Peeler Leads Spartans Past Falcons
Adrian Fleming returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown against the Falcons as the Spartans rolled to an easy 40-6 win.
Photo By: Barry deNicola / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
Broad Run's T.J. Peeler scored twice in the win over Fauquier. His two TD runs were plenty of offense for the Spartans.
Photo By: Barry deNicola / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
David Weaver ran the Spartan offense effectively in the season opening win over Fauquier. He connected with Joe Quigg for a TD early in the contest on a nice fade pattern.
Photo By: Barry deNicola / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
WARRENTON, VA - The Broad Run Spartans entered their regular season opener Friday night as the defending state champions and looked to be in mid-season form from the gun. Coach Michael Burnett had the Spartans ready to take the field against Fauquier and the outcome was decided in the first 12 minutes of the game, as Broad Run easily garnered their first victory of 2009 40 - 6 over the Falcons. It was the 21st consecutive regular season win for the Spartans, who have also won 25 of their last 26 games period.
The Broad Run defense started the game holding the Falcons to a quick 3 and out and negative yardage on the drive. On the first possession of 2009 for the Spartans it was TJ Peeler who got things started on the very first play. Peeler took the handoff and ran through and around Falcon defenders en route to a 14 yard gain and a first down. Peeler would cap the drive with a 4-yard run into the end zone, giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead after the extra point.
Fauquier would again gain little yardage on their next possession and were in punt formation on 4th and long when the Spartans' special team players got involved in the action. Fauquier's Garret Diehl lined up to punt, but the ball came in high and by the time he attempted to kick it the Spartan defenders were in his face. The Spartans picked up the blocked punt and ran it into the end zone for another score and a 14 - 0 lead with 6:28 to go in the opening quarter of action.
Fauquier would again be forced into a 3 and out situation on their 3rd possession of the game against the stout Broad Run defense led by Frank Foreman, Joe Walter, John Meier, and Ray D' Argenio. Diehl would be forced to punt yet again and this time it was Adrian Fleming back deep to receive for the Spartans. Diehl got a good punt into the air and it was Fleming catching the punt at his own 47 yard line. Fleming's initial move around the Falcon gunners bought him some space and with blockers setting up downfield the rest was elementary. Fleming coasted down the sideline and into the end zone for yet another score for Broad Run and a 20 - 0 lead after the missed extra point.
The Spartans were not done scoring in the first quarter though. On their very next possession it was David Weaver going to the air for a passing touchdown. Many would have assumed that the first reception of the year would go to Adrian Fleming, but it did not. On the play Weaver looked downfield and lofted a beautiful fade pattern pass over the defender's head and into the waiting arms of Joe Quigg. The 18-yard touchdown pass with 1:48 to play in the first quarter put the tally at 27 - 0 in favor of the defending champions. To this point in the game Broad Run had scored 4 touchdowns, while holding the Falcons to 0 first downs.
Already on top 27 - 0 and still in the opening stanza of action Coach Michael Burnett called off the dogs. The Spartans began substituting both offensively and defensively for most of the 2nd quarter. The Falcons unfortunately continued to struggle and could not find any type of offensive rhythm. With just under 2 minutes to play in the opening half the Spartans got the ball from another Fauquier punt and put the 1st team offense back on the field. On the first play of the drive it was TJ Peeler taking the handoff and running off the right side of the Broad Run offensive line. Peeler made more than one Fauquier defender miss as he raced his way 47-yards to pay dirt for his final score of the game and a 34 - 0 halftime lead for the Spartans.
As the 2nd half got underway it was clear that Broad Run was finished trying to play their starters. The rest of the game belonged to the backups and their chance to make a name for themselves and show the coaches they could succeed when given the chance. The Spartans defense continued to play well and forced the Falcons into yet another punt on the night. As the Spartans took their next offensive possession just shy of mid-field it was Jessop coming in to play quarterback for the Spartans. Don't worry Spartan Nation there wasn't a Chris Jessop sighting, no it was younger brother Connor Jessop calling the signals for the Spartans. Jessop wasted no time in sending notice to everyone in attendance that he will be a contributor to the Spartans' success. On a designed roll out pass play Jessop simply tucked the ball with no open downfield receivers and fought his way 44-yards for the final score of the evening for Broad Run. At this point in the game it was 40 - 0 in favor of the Spartans.
Fauquier deserves credit for not giving up or quitting. The Falcons fought hard all night long and got some very valuable experience against arguably the best team in the state in Group AA. Their perseverance paid off just before the end of the ballgame. Garret Diehl rolled to his right and was looking downfield for a receiver when he tossed a nice pass to his open receiver Darius Stanford. Stanford had gotten behind the defensive back and when Diehl tossed the pass Stanford was there to haul it in.
Despite losing the shutout the Broad Run defense played almost flawlessly all game long as they grabbed their first win of 2009 with the final score of 40 - 6. Broad Run will host Heritage next Friday night in another non-district game. The Pride have moved up to Division 5 for the 2009-2010 school year. Fauquier will host Culpeper at Falcon Field. Both games are set to start at 7:30pm. The Broad Run vs. Heritage game will be carried on the Gameday Radio Network.
