Jessop's 4 TDs Vault Spartans Over Eagles 34-27
Senior wide receiver Adrian Flemming makes a circus catch in their first Region II D4 playoff game against the Liberty Eagles. Flemming had 2 catches for 13 yards...
Photo By: Jan Johnson / GamedayMagazine
Broad Run's Justin Nelson runs in for a 22 yard touchdown for the Spartans' first score of the night against the Liberty Eagles...
Photo By: Jan Johnson / GamedayMagazine
Liberty's Wayne Fleming was responsible for 2 touchdowns for the Eagles. Fleming scampered in on a 3 yard run and a 54 yarder...
Photo By: Jan Johnson / GamedayMagazine
ASHBURN, VA - There were many potential storylines to follow going into Friday night's Region II Division 4 semi-final between the Liberty Eagles and the Broad Run Spartans. How would Broad Run perform after 21 days between games? Could Broad Run stop the prolific Eagles rushing game? Would Liberty be able to keep up with the Spartans high scoring offense?
While all of these questions were answered by night's end the biggest storyline ended up being the play of Connor Jessop. The sophomore signal caller accounted for four of the Spartans five touchdowns and threw for 153 yards on 10 of 16 passing as the Spartans knocked off Liberty 34-27.
Jessop's brightest part of the game came in the closing minutes of the first half as he found his TE Alex Evans to give the Spartans the lead back at 18-13 with 1:59 to go. After Liberty's drive stalled Broad Run took over on their own 42 yard line with less than a minute to go.
On 1st down Jessop found David Weaver on a crossing route which he took to the 20 yard line. Then Weaver found himself on the receiving end of Jessop's 3rd touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter to give Broad Run (11-0) a 26-13 lead going into half-time. Weaver finished the game with 4 catches for 97 yards.
This proved to be the defining moment of the game as the first 22 minutes of the game were back and forth as there were four lead changes before the two touchdown passes to close out the first half.
Justin Nelson got Broad Run on the board first with a 23-yard run to cap the Spartans opening drive which featured a heavy dose of TJ Peeler (29 carries, 135 yards). Liberty answered on the ensuing possession with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Lou Chiccehitto to Aaron Porter to take the lead 7-6.
Broad Run wasted no time taking the lead back when Michael Price hauled in a 20-yard touchdown reception. Cortez Carter blocked Spencer Martin's extra point giving the Spartans a 12-7 advantage.
Evergreen District Offensive Player of the year Wayne Fleming found pay dirt from 3 yards out to give the Eagles (8-4) the lead back at 13-12. Fleming ran hard all night long but was limited by the Spartan defense. Broad Run held the Eagles to just 145 yards rushing, one of the lowest outputs for Liberty all season.
On the Eagles opening possession of the second half Fleming broke free on 3rd and 2 and sprinted in from 54 yards out for the score to pull the Eagles within six points at 26-20. Both teams traded stalled possessions for the remainder of the half until Jessop dove in the end zone on a keeper on 4th and goal from the 1 to give the Spartans the winning touchdown and a 34-20 lead.
Chiccehitto threw his 2nd touchdown pass of the game to James Rogers with 39 seconds to pull the Eagles within 7 points giving Liberty fans hope, but a failed onside kick attempt traveled 9 yards and the Spartans took over and kneeled the ball picking up their 25th consecutive win.
Broad Run will host the Sherando Warriors in the Division 4 Region II Championship. Stay tuned to GamedayMagazine.com for more details as they become available.
*Full Video Replay Will Be Available Saturday Evening...
