Football: Briar Woods Moves a Step Closer Towards First Dulles District Title

Falcons Homecoming crowd celebrates Friday! (all photos courtesy of Carl Lukat/LTM)

By Carl Lukat
Loudoun-Times Mirror Sports Editor

Ashburn (Oct. 16, 2010) - Briar Woods High School coach Charlie Pierce was pleasantly surprised when senior captain Victor Rizzardi stood up in a team meeting prior to Friday's game against Potomac Falls and implored his teammates to show a renewed focus after nearly letting a 17-point lead slip away against Loudoun County a week earlier.

"The second half of the County game was a bit of a wake up call," Pierce said. "[Victor] talked about how we have to make sure we are focused and not let anything happen that happened against County in the second half."

Rizzardi's message was well received as the Falcons scored on their first possession of the game and never looked back en route to a 46-6 victory over the Panthers in front of a festive home crowd in Ashburn on homecoming weekend at Briar Woods.

The Falcons (4-0 in the Dulles District, 6-2 overall) extended their winning streak to four games, a program record for consecutive wins.


"We sort of had a chip on our shoulder tonight," said senior Scott Rolin, who was on the receiving end of the first of Trace McSorley's three touchdown passes.

McSorley also connected with juniors Jamal Hill and Alex Carter for touchdown completions. McSorley continued his impressive freshman season by completing 13 of 26 passes for 250 yards and also rushing for an 18-yard touchdown.

Defensively, Briar Woods limited Potomac Falls to four first downs and 83 yards of total offense. Rizzardi intercepted a pair of passes, returning one 41 yards for a touchdown to put the game away early in the second half.

Junior lineman Justin Baker led the Falcons with nine tackles, including a sack in the end zone for a safety. Senior linebacker Brandon Moore also recorded a tackle in the end zone for a safety. Senior linebacker DeVontae O'Bannion and Carter combined on a sack, and Hill intercepted a pass.

The Panthers (0-3, 1-6) cracked the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter on junior Matthew Brown's 4-yard touchdown run. Senior Zachary Hobby intercepted a pass and sophomore Zachery Causey recovered a fumble in the game for Potomac Falls.

The decisive victory moved Briar Woods within two wins of claiming its fist-ever Dulles District championship. As the only Dulles team undefeated in district play, the Falcons can wrap up the title with wins over Park View and Dominion.

"We have two more steps to go to do something special," Pierce said. "Our destiny is in our hands. You could not ask for anything more than that. That is what you want as a team."


Brownlee returns

Senior running back/linebacker Michael Brownlee returned to the playing field Friday night after breaking his right fibula on his first rushing attempt of the 2010 season Aug. 27 against Millbrook.

Brownlee, who rushed for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns in eight games last season, saw limited action on both sides of the ball against Potomac Falls before calling it a night in the third quarter.

"It was awesome," Brownlee said of returing. "Oh my god, it was amazing after six weeks of just watching. I'm just so happy that I'm back with the team."

Brownlee took a direct snap on the Falcons' first offensive play and rushed for 22 yards. He was held in check for the most part after that, finishing with 32 yards on nine carries. Brownlee recorded one tackle on defense.

Brownlee noted after the game that his leg gets progressively sore from running and that it is difficult to make cuts and short bursts.

"I'm making progress," Brownlee said. "Every day, it gets a lot better. I just have to keep working at it by doing sprints and practicing."

Scott Rolin said it was nice to have Brownlee back in the mix.

"It's good, it's good. I can't wait until he gets back [fully healthy]. He's like a caged animal."


Briar Woods 46, Potomac Falls 6

First Quarter
BW: S. Rolin 52 pass from McSorley (Clements kick) 8:31
BW: Safety (Baker tackle in end zone) 3:29

Second Quarter
BW: Safety (Moore tackle in end zone) 11:55
BW: Hill 5 pass from McSorley (Clements kick) 0:21

Third Quarter
BW: V. Rizzardi 41 interception return (Clements kick) 9:30
BW: McSorley 18 run (Clements kick) 1:54

Fourth Quarter
PF: Brown 4 run (kick failed) 11:20
BW: Carter 80 pass from McSorley (Clements kick) 11:05
BW: Bumbray 1 run (Clements kick) 7:59


Individual leaders

Rushing: PF-Brown (16 for 19 yards, TD); BW-McSorley (8 for 44 yards, TD), Bumbray (9 for 40 yards, TD), Brownlee (9 for 32 yards)

Passing: PF-K. Bulger (8 of 19 for 87 yards, 3 Int.); BW-McSorley (13 of 26 for 250 yards, 3 TD, Int.)

Receiving: PF-Fernandez (2 for 55 yards), S. Bulger (2 for 10 yards); BW-S. Rolin (4 for 97 yards, TD), Carter (3 for 94 yards, TD), Serigne (3 for 39 yards), Hill (2 for 17 yards, TD)

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