Football: Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback

(Sept. 6, 2011) - Back by popular demand - protesters have been outside of our VivaLoudoun compound all day asking for this update -- is our Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback.

Friday's Games
Broad Run 14, Briar Woods 0
The Skinny: This game turned on two huge plays ... including Broad Run going for it on 4th down from their own 15 yard line in the third quarter with a 7-0 lead. Yes, that was not a typo as Spartan coach Matt Griffis was playing the complete Riverboat Gambler by allowing QB/punter Connor Jessop to audible on the 4th down play. Jessop's pass near the Falcons sideline was incomplete which should have given BWoods the ball and amazing momentum ... but a 15-yard unsportsmanlike flag was thrown on the Falcons on the play. Even stranger, word on the field was that the call was for a member of the Briar Woods sidelines accidentally bumping into an official as he ran near the home bench on the play. A call you do not see every day for sure. The drive, now still alive, continued all the way to the end zone as the Spartans went up 14-0 on Jessop's 10-yard determined run as the third quarter expired.


The second big play came in the first half with the game scoreless and Briar Woods putting together its best drive of the night. It appeared that the Falcons might get at least three points to go ahead but Dorian Jenkins, for the second straight week, came up with a big interception in the end zone. Putting points on the board might have been the confidence builder the Falcons needed in their season-opener.


Broad Run's defense stifled the Falcons running attack on the night and the Spartans were able to hold the ball for almost three of four quarters. The Spartans had a balanced attack with almost equal passing and rushing yardage while Briar Woods threw almost twice as much as they ran the ball.


Briar Woods still has the talent to go 9-1 and make a serious run at repeating their state title. Broad Run has shown that they have the making of a special team and will get a chance this week to test the AAA waters for the first time.


Up Next: Briar Woods hosts Park View in Dulles District opener; Broad Run hosts Prince William Division 6 power Woodbridge.

Heritage 36, Hedgesville 19
The Skinny: The Pride have put all memories of last year's 1-9 season behind them with the 2-0 opening. Austin Nelson threw for 250 yards on 12 of 18 passing and had TDs of 30 and 32 yards to playmaker Marcus Finney plus a TD throw to Brady Gerling. Finney also returned a kickoff 75 yards for a TD. Juan Narvaez had a big night running for Heritage with 130 yards on 21 attempts.


Up Next: Heritage returns to the Dulles District for the first time since 2008 with a district opener at Dominion, which had a bye week.

James Wood 19, Loudoun Valley 6
The Skinny: James Wood makes it 2-0 vs. Loudoun teams by knocking off Vikes, who had opened the year with a win over Fauquier. Valley wasn't able to generate much offense with only a late Danny White TD pass to Wesley Robinson breaking the shutout. Donald Devine led Valley in rushing with 48 yards on six carries. White was 8 of 17 for 70 yards. Valley hurt its cause with two fumbles lost, including on the kickoff after James Wood had marched 73 yards on 16 plays on the game's first drive. They turned that turnover into three more points to lead 10-0 before Valley's offense had even stepped on the field.


Up Next: Valley marks the return to Dulles District play for the first time since 2004 with a rivalry game at Loudoun County -- renewing Loudoun's oldest series.


Kettle Run 45, Potomac Falls 0
The Skinny: The Panthers have yet to score this season after running into a hot Kettle Run team Friday. PFalls has been out-scored, 86-0, to open the year but look to bounce back with Dulles District play opening Friday.


Up Next: Panthers host Woodgrove Friday.

Liberty 37, Park View 10
The Skinny: Liberty continued its winning ways against Dulles District teams with a win over the Pats on a night when Park View honored its newest Hall of Fame class. The Patriots are now 0-2 after opening the year with a loss at Broad Run. The Eagles did all of their TD damage on the ground as Aristotle Howard rushed for 128 yards and two scores (35, 6) on 18 carries. Anthony Budd added 69 yards and two TDs (15, 5) and Mike Lee finished with 90 yards and a touchdown (16) on just six touches.


Up Next: It just doesn't get easier for the Patriots as they travel to open district play at defending state champion Briar Woods.

Osbourn Park 41, Freedom 0
The Skinny: Freedom is another team with a killer schedule and also another offense searching for its first score after two weeks. OP QB Neil Rosenberg threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns, both to Damon Nicholson, who also scored a TD on the ground. Jeremy Ball ran for 73 yards and a TD as well. OP led 31-0 at the half.


Up Next: Freedom's tough schedule continues with Gar-Field, a tough Prince William program, coming to South Riding Friday.

Woodgrove 36, Brentsville 6
The Skinny: In year two the Huskies have already matched last year's win total with a quick 2-0 start. The offense has been in mid-season form for Woodgrove with Atem Ntantang motoring for 110 yards and three TDs on just 15 carries. It was 7-0 at the half but Ntantang found the end zone twice in the third quarter to make it 22-0 Wolverines. The Tigers did not score until it was 36-0. Tyler Workman only needed to throw three times in the vicotry. Karl Austin had 69 yards rushing and a score on six attempts.


Up Next: Woodgrove's first ever Dulles District game -- last year the Wolverines did not play a full district slate -- at Potomac Falls this Friday.

Thursday's Game
Stone Bridge 3, Robinson 0
The Skinny: No Randy May was not coaching this game for the Bulldogs but Stone Bridge and Robinson battled all night in a contest that appeared headed for a scoreless overtime game - until Stone Bridge brought in back-up RB Stephen Trivieri, a senior transfer from Canada, and handed him the ball 13 straight times, running the same play 12 times in a row as they drove down to the 1 to set up Ben Lambourne's game-winning chip shot FG. The Bulldogs defense, which gave up only 56 points in 10 regular season games last year, appears capable, behind the play of JR lineman Jonathan Allen and SR LB Aaron Palmer, of holding opponents to even less points this season. The Bulldogs will look for improvement in their passing game under new QB Ryan Burns.


Up Next: Stone Bridge travels to face another Concorde District power, Chantilly.


Hey fans: What were your thoughts on the action last week? Leave us a comment ... but only if the comment is positive or constructive! We are looking for analysis not rants!