Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball D4 State Quarterfinal Woodgrove vs. Courtland by Gary Sousa

(March 3, 2013) - Gary "Big Game" Sousa was on hand for the state quarterfinals at Robinson High School Saturday and captured this great photo gallery from the Division 4 girls game between Woodgrove and Courtland. See all 100 photos here!

Girls Basketball: Coastal Sports Network to Broadcast Woodgrove Girls State Quarterfinal Live Online Saturday

(Feb. 28, 2013) - Purcellville-based Coastal Sports Network will broadcast live online the Woodgrove High School girls basketball VHSL state quarterfinal game against Courtland Saturday at Robinson High School with a 4:30 p.m. tip off. The Broadcast, with Troy Bye on the play-by-play and Woodgrove boys coach Stephen Douglas on the color, will start at 4:20 p.m.

Football: Briar Woods Extends Winning Streak to 28 Straight Games with 45-15 State Semi Win Over Courtland

Ashburn (Dec. 3, 2012) - Briar Woods High School senior running back Cory Colder rushed for a season-high 182 yards on 30 carries and scored four touchdowns Saturday to lead the Falcons to a state-best 28th straight victory as Briar Woods rolled over Courtland, 45-15, in the VHSL Division 4 state semifinals.

Briar Woods (14-0) will shoot for a third straight state title when the Falcons face Heritage High School of Lynchburg on Satruday, Dec. 8 at Liberty University in Lynchburg with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. Heritage (12-1) beat previously unbeaten Salem on Saturday, 24-16.

Football: Briar Woods Looks to Continue "The Streak" in Today's State Semifinal Match-up with Courtland

It was all Briar Woods in a 52-8 win over Courtland in 2010 state semifinals
(photo by Jeff Scudder/Viva Loudoun)

Ashburn (Dec. 1, 2012) - The Briar Woods High School football team will look to continue the state's longest winning streak when they play for their 28th straight win today against Courtland in the 1:30 p.m. VHSL Division 4 state semifinal in "downtown Brambleton".

Briar Woods (13-0) is just two wins away from a third straight state title and making it five straight titles for Ashburn in D4 as Broad Run took home the championship in 2008 and 2009.

Two years ago, Courtland made the same trip to Ashburn and was sent home with a humiliating 52-8 loss.

Game Kit: VHSL Division 4 State Semifinal
Courtland (9-4) at Briar Woods (13-0)
1:30 p.m. kickoff 

Free Lance-Star: Cougars out to exorcise memory by Taft Coghill, Jr.

Free Lance-Star Closer Look

Loudoun Times-Mirror: State Semifinal Previews

Washington Post Preview

Ashburn Patch: Briar Woods Welcomes Past Foe to Brambleton by Sean Farrell

AllMetsports: Briar Woods Moves One Step Closer to Third Straight Virginia AA Division 4 Title

Loudoun Times-Mirror: Falcons Shut Out Raiders to Land Third Straight Region Title

Flashback Photo Gallery: Briar Woods Beats Courtland 2010 State Semi

Photo Gallery: Briar Woods Wins Regional Title by Joel Wolcott

Football: Falcons Devour Cougars to Advance to First Ever State Finals

By Andy States
VivaLoudoun "Hired Gun"

Asbhurn (Dec. 5, 2010) - After one play from scrimmage in Saturday’s VHSL Division 4 state football semifinal at Briar Woods High, there was plenty of reason for optimism on the Courtland Cougars sideline.

The Cougars Maha Williams ripped off a 25-yard run to get the visitors off to an auspicious start. Unfortunately for them, there probably wasn’t another play in the first half worth remembering.

Williams’ run proved to provide the only first down of the opening half for Courtland, while the host Falcons forced one turnover after another and scored on each of their seven first-half possessions. By the time the first half reached its end, Briar Woods led 45-0 and went on to a 52-8 win to clinch its first state final appearance.

The Falcons will play for the Division 4 state championship against unbeaten Harrisonburg (13-0)at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 11 at Liberty University.

Through the opening 24 minutes, Briar Woods (12-2) dominated about as thoroughly as a team could.

“The first play you wouldn’t have known,” Briar Woods coach Charlie Pierce said. “After that, our defense played like they’re supposed to, and set the tone.”

The Falcons blocked a punt, recovered a fumble and intercepted two passes in the first half to consistently create short fields for the offense -- and the offense capitalized.

After stalling inside the five and settling for a 20-yard David Clements’ field goal on their first possession, the Falcons scored touchdowns on six straight possessions.

Photo Gallery: Football - VHSL Division 5 Semifinals - Courtland vs. Briar Woods

(Dec. 5, 2010) - Check out the awesome photos by Jeff Scudder from Briar Woods' big 52-8 win over Courtland Saturday in the VHSL Division 5 state semifinals. Click on any photo to view the gallery with 103 shots.

Football: VHSL Division 4 State Semifinal - Courtland at Briar Woods

Ashburn (Dec. 4, 2010) - The Briar Woods High School football team had never won a playoff game entering this season but the Falcons, who have won nine straight games after opening the year 2-2, are just one win from a trip to the VHSL Division 4 state finals.

Briar Woods (11-2) hosts Courtland (8-4), a team that has won eight straight games after an 0-4 opening, today at 1:30 p.m. VivaLoudoun will have full coverage with Andy States and Chris Anderson on hand.

What others are saying about the big game:
Loudoun Times-Mirror: Stone Bridge, Briar Woods Aim for Success in State Football Playoffs
Washington Post: Matt Brooks Takes a Quick Look at Game
Washington Post: Matt Brooks Feature on BW freshman QB Trace McSorley
Ashburn Patch: Can Falcons Fly Over Cougars to the State Finals?
Gameday Magazine: George Khalsa Previews the Game
Freelance Star: Falcons Pierce Knows Cougars (interesting take and background here!)
VirginiaPreps: Briar Woods vs. Courtland preview (must be a paid member of VirginiaPreps to read)

VivaLoudoun Editor Dan Sousa Predicts: Briar Woods run defense halts Courtland but it may take a late field goal to secure 13-10 win and move Falcons on to first state final. Look for BWoods RB Michael Brownlee to get stronger as the game goes on and he should be key in the fourth quarter.

Mini-Profiles by Lisa Karl


Scott Rolin, Dulles District Defensive Player of the Year and WR
Scott Rolin has been a little nervous about the playoff games at Briar Woods this year. However, it’s not the most nervous he’s been. “I was very nervous about the Broad Run and Loudoun County games (regular season games),” says the Dulles District Defensive Player of the Year.

Scott has many reasons to love this year, among those is he is playing with his brother, Matt, who is a sophomore this year. “We’ve always played together and our dad coached us,” he says. “It’s good having him on the team for my last year in high school.”

The Rolins moved here from Texas the summer before Scott’s junior year. When asked about the difference playing in Texas and here, he talks about high school stadiums that seat 20,000 people (Briar Woods holds 3,000) and playoff games in Texas Stadium. Here though, he loves the atmosphere. “There weren’t as many people here last year,” Scott says, “but this year the community support is much better.”

Scott’s Texas team had enough depth that he only played wide receiver. Once here, Coach Pierce asked him to also play defense. Scott was more than glad to take the challenge. “I like to hit people,” he grins. He speaks about the all the work he’s put into the game. “It feels good to play – all my hard work paid off.”

What is in the future for Scott? He’s looking at several colleges, including the University of Alabama. He’s also looking at Wofford College, Shepherd University, among others, hoping he might have a chance to continue his football career. “I’ve always dreamed about playing college football,” Scott says. “I feel I can contribute to a team.”

Michael Brownlee, Senior Running Back
Michael Brownlee was excited and full of confidence approaching his senior year at Briar Woods High School. As running back for the football team, he felt he had come on strong at the end of the previous season and worked hard during the off-season.

Then, on the first play of the first game, Michael ran up the middle, was tangled and twisted up with a lot of other players. “I heard or felt a pop,” Michael says, “but I could walk, so I didn’t think it was that bad.” Michael was injured, breaking a bone in his right leg.

The trainers from both Briar Woods and Milbrook thought Michael could walk it off. But after trying to run, Michael heard a crack and the swelling and pain began. That’s when he knew. Michael’s mother went to the fence that separates the crowd from the team to check on her son. Michael hobbled over, put his head on her shoulder and cried. “I trained and worked hard all summer,” he says,” to get ready for this season.”

But Michael was lucky. The break was clean and it healed in time for him to rejoin the team. Cutting up the field was hard at first. And driving up the middle – the same play that caused the injury – was tough mentally. “I just wanted to play,” Michael says. “I was a little timid – a little scared. It was more emotional than physical.” Michael took the field, eased into more plays and now there’s no pain in the leg.

Michael was named to the Dulles District 2nd team offense, an honor he treasures. Next year he hopes to attend Shepard University, as he likes the smaller campus and class sizes. And he hopes, of course, to play football.

Trace McSorley, Freshman Quarterback, Dulles District Offensive Player of the Year
Trace McSorley played soccer before he played football. His father, Rick, says all the good football players he knew were also soccer players. However, there came a time – in 4th grade, when Trace wouldn’t be put off any longer, and so began his football career.

Trace’s football career at Briar Woods High School began as an 8th grader, when he played on the freshman team. As a freshman, he prepared to join the varsity team. The plan was to work with junior quarterback Mark Leith and senior running back Michael Brownlee to set two of them in shotgun formation for either a quarterback play or direct snap to Brownlee. Then, on the first play of the first game this season, Brownlee was hurt.

At first, Trace thought Michael had a leg stinger. Then, he wasn’t back in the game. Trace listen in shock as the coaches told him Michael had broken his leg. The other running back, Ryan Bumbray, stepped up his role. Then Ryan went out with an ankle injury.

Trace didn’t have time to think about it, though, there was a game to be won. He concentrated on executing plays and not being intercepted. Briar Woods went on to win that game – and seven more under his leadership. That first game was a confidence-booster. “After that,” Trace says, “I knew I could do it.”

For a freshman, it could be heady times. Quarterback of the varsity team, voted to freshman homecoming court, and named as Dulles District Offensive Player of the year. Trace is cautious about it all. He says when people start talking to him about all the success, he tries to downplay it. “I don’t want to be the big-headed kid,” he says. He just wants to play – and win.

Football: Briar Woods and Stone Bridge Semifinal Opponents Lined Up

(Nov. 28, 2010) - Briar Woods and Stone Bridge football teams have a week to prepare as they learned their VHSL state semifinal match-ups on Saturday. Region II champion Briar Woods will host Region I champion Courtland Saturday tentatively at 1:30 p.m. in the Division 4 semifinals, and Northern Region champion Stone Bridge will travel to Northwest Region champion Osbourn Saturday tentatively at 1:30 p.m.

The game time for the Manassas contest is up in the air due to an annual holiday parade scheduled in Manassas at the same time.

Briar Woods (11-2), advancing to the first time this far in the postseason, will host Courtland (8-4), a team that started the year 0-4 but has now won eight straight games including a 31-10 win over Eastern View Saturday in the Region I title game. Briar Woods started the year 2-2 and since won nine straight including the first three playoff games in school history, including a 24-21 win Friday over rival and two-time defending state champion Broad Run.

Stone Bridge (13-0) advances to the state semifinals for the fourth straight year and will face Osbourn  (12-0)  in a match-up of unbeaten teams as the Eagles stopped Mountain View Saturday, 48-7, and the Bulldogs beat Hayfield on Friday, 35-7.

More on Courtland's win over Eastern View from the Freelance Star
More on Osbourn's win over Mountain View from the Potomac News.
More on Dominique Terrell, Osbourn's top player from the Potomac News.

Photo Gallery: Boys Soccer - AA State Quarterfinal - Courtland vs. Broad Run

Click on either photo to view the full gallery.

Photo Gallery: Girls Basketball - D4 State Quarterfinals - Freedom vs. Courtland

Click on any photo to visit the full gallery by super shooter Craig Sterbutzel