PREVIEW: Broad Run vs. Potomac Falls
The #6 Potomac Falls Panthers and #7 Broad Run Spartans square off Friday for sole possession of the Dulles District lead, and to settle a score that has been brewing since opening day...
Broad Run's T.J. Peeler is back from an early season injury, and bolsters an already potent offense. Peeler adds another weapon in the Spartan arsenal both offensively, and defensively, in time for the Dulles title run.
Photo By Marc Gold \ Gameday Magazine
Potomac Falls WR\DB has emerged as another deep threat for the Panther passing attack in previous weeks. With Owens, the Panthers have added another bullet in the Run & Shoot offense.
Photo by Jeff Schryver \ Gameday Magazine
POTOMAC FALLS vs. BROAD RUN
WHERE: Broad Run Stadium
WHEN: Friday, October 24th, 2008
KICKOFF: 7:30pm
PREGAME: 7:00pm
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Gameday Radio Game of the Week Broadcast Live Worldwide Online at www.GamedayMagazine.com
Simulcast Live On AM 1200 WAGE
BROADCAST TEAM:
Tom Whipple (Play By Play)
Bruce Bornarth (Color Commentary)
ASHBURN, VA - You gotta admit...nobody saw the importance of this game at the beginning of the season. But as the season started to unfold, and the weeks started to fly by, it became more and more anticipated. Both the Broad Run Spartans and Potomac Falls Panthers enter Friday's game with perfect 7-0 records, and this, quite possibly, will be for all the marbles in the Dulles District.
Both teams have had their share of lopsided wins, and a couple of games where they survived for the victory. Both teams tout potent offenses, coupled with stingy, hard hitting defenses. So far on the season, the Panthers have scored 315 points...tops in the Dulles, as an average of 45 per game, while giving up a total of 99, for an average of 14.1. The Spartans boast a scoring average of 36 points per game (252 total), and have given up only 69...an average of 9.6 per game.
But if numbers aren't enough to see why this game will be one of the best of this season to be a part of...either as a play, coach, or spectator, then let's look at history. Since 2000, the Panthers, who own a 45-40 record since, have beaten the Spartans five times out of seven, and have outscored there cross county rivals 163-129. Broad Run has garnered a record of 41-45 in that same span, and has had a couple of very down seasons in that time. But the Spartans have two things Potomac Falls doesn't...a Dulles Championship and a visit to the play-offs (both coming in 2008).
During the period between 2000 and today, a much heated rivalry has also been cultivated between the Spartans and Panthers. Bottom line? These two teams just don't like each other. So nothing usually has to be at stake for this game to be anticipated by both sides. Now throw in the Dulles District championship, and you have a game for the ages! Instant Classic? I think so...
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Presented By: Fractured Prune
Potomac Falls QB Greg Woodlief vs. the Broad Run Defense
Woodlief has been successful creating opportunities on the run. He likes to roll out to see the field, or tuck and run when the chance is there. Teams have been able to either close off his passing routes, or box him in so he doesn't roll out...but not both. The Spartan defense will need to do both to be successful. ADVANTAGE: POTOMAC FALLS
Broad Run's Special Teams vs Potomac Falls Special Teams
Spartan placekicker Graham Allen is a threat anywhere inside an opponent's 40 yard line. The Panther's Asa Fox needs to be inside the 25 yard line. The Spartans have speedy Breon Earle as their feature return specialist, and the Panthers counter with Chad McMichael and Greg Woodlief. Earle is fast, elusive, and has the ability to make you miss. McMichael and Woodlief rely on a very good front 5 that loves to knock the snot out of you, creating their openings. ADVANTAGE: BROAD RUN
KEYS TO VICTORY:
Presented By: Moe's Southwest Grill
FOR POTOMAC FALLS
-- Employ an effective run blitz often on defense to close the gaps on the Broad Run traps and counters.
-- Stay patient on offense and take what the defense gives you.
-- Take the crowd out of the game by getting on the board first.
FOR BROAD RUN
-- Keep the Panther offense off the field. Sustain long effective drives to where down the defense.
-- Get the home crowd into the game early, and keep them loud!
-- Let Graham Allen use his leg to get you points when presented.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Presented By: Atlanta Bread Company
POTOMAC FALLS RECORDS SINCE 2000 (45-40)
2000: 5-5
2001: 4-5
2002: 4-5
2003: 7-3
2004: 4-6
2005: 4-6
2006: 7-3
2007: 3-7
2008: 7-0 (YTD)
BROAD RUN RECORDS SINCE 2000 (41-45)
2000: 5-5
2001: 1-8
2002: 0-9
2003: 6-4
2004: 6-4
2005: 1-9
2006: 5-5
2007: 10-1*
2008: 7-0 (YTD)
* Made the play-offs
HEAD TO HEAD SINCE 2000
2000: Broad Run 17 - Potomac Falls 13
2001: Potomac Falls 21 - Broad Run 19
2002: Potomac Falls 42 - Broad Run 7
2003: Potomac Falls 34 - Broad Run 28
2004: Broad Run 35 - Potomac Falls 0
2005: Potomac Falls 24 - Broad Run 0
2006: Potomac Falls 23 - Broad Run 7
2007: Broad Run 16 - Potomac Falls 6
AGAINST THE COMPETITION
Potomac Falls' opponents have an overall record of 18-35, while Broad Run's foes are 21-28.
X'S AND O'S
Both head coach's are in their 3rd season with their respective teams. Under Michael Burnett, the Spartans are 22-6, while Scott Woodlief has accumulated a record of 17-10. The series between the two coaches stands at 1-1.
EXPERT PROGNOSTICATION
Coach Whipple's Analysis:
The Potomac Falls Panthers are playing with a chip on their shoulder, and rightly so. Nobody (except me) has given this team any respect, while most others have already crowned the Spartans the 2008 Kings of the Dulles. The bottom line...The Panthers are playing this game for respect. Oh sure...they want that crown, too, but with a win Friday night, there should be nobody left to doubt what coach Woodlief claimed at the beginning of the season...which was that his Panthers were contenders. No matter who wins, and who loses this game, both will surely go to the play-offs. But for the Panthers to come away with the Dulles District crown, it would validate an arguably suspect program. So many outsiders have maligned this program for several years, and for several different reasons. But winning would cure a lot of ills, and this team is doing just that...winning! Should the Spartans be victorious, and go on to take their 2nd consecutive title, it will have been expected by both insiders, and outsiders. So there is more on the line for the Panthers in this game, than on the other end of the County.
I won't beat a dead horse here, and say why I think Potomac Falls will win this game (just read my Inside the Huddle piece of October 14). But I will say that from what I have observed over the course of 4 weeks, the Panthers have a better offense, but a defense that is about equal. The "X" factor...? Potomac Falls has been more opportunistic, in creating turnovers, and capitalizing on them with points, AND Broad Run has coughed the ball up a few times of late. FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: POTOMAC FALLS 35 - BROAD RUN 31
Coach Hayes' Analysis:
Last time I checked, the Broad Run Spartans are riding a 17 game winning streak in the regular season, and that includes a win over Potomac Falls last year. The Spartans haven't been knocked down yet, and it won't happen Friday either. The Spartans know what it takes to win a championship, and Potomac Falls thinks they can win it. That is a HUGE difference. Look, my friend Whipp has a soft spot in his heart for the Panthers, and I understand why. He is a Sterling guy, and believe me when I say this, Sterling people like to pick on folks from Ashburn. Bottom line is this, the Spartans, when they play their A-Game are as good as anyone in the STATE of Virginia, not just the Dulles District. If Tom thinks the Spartans haven't been reading his remarks online and stewing about it, he is wrong! They are hungry to show everyone, including the Panthers who is for real on Friday night!
The Spartans have more weapons on offense than they know what to do with, and in big games, #23 Breon Earl always shows up. He will be the most electrifying player on the field again Friday. Look for the Broad Run defense to play intense football as well and shut down Panther Michael Baker. He won't have much success against McAdow and crew in the running game, and that will put the pressure on Greg Woodlief to win the game. The Spartans will get up close on Owens and McMichael and make it hard to get off the line of scrimmage, and defensive coordinator Adam Fortune will bring pressure at every opportunity. The Panthers have had their way with many teams this year, but they could find themselves down early, and I'm not sold that they know how to respond to that just yet. We'll see Friday night how it unfolds, but this is truly going to be a heavyweight fight.
I'm taking Broad Run as the favorite Friday to win because as they say, until you knock off the Champions, they are still the Champions. We'll see if Potomac Falls has the toughness to hang four quarters with the boys from Ashburn. That will determine the outcome! FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: BROAD RUN 27 - POTOMAC FALLS 24
