Leesburg, Va. — Even with a twelve hour weather delay, the Broad Run High School football team didn’t miss a beat. After taking a 10-7 lead into the half against rival Tuscarora High School on August 31 in Leesburg, lightning struck forcing both teams to head home with the second half slated to resume at 10 a.m. on September 1. A re-energized Spartans’ defense held the Huskies scoreless in the morning meeting, as Broad Run went on to defeat Tuscarora, 23-7.
“We didn’t have a great half defensively yesterday,” Broad Run junior linebacker Joshua Allison said. “But today we came out and did our thing and got it done.”
[adrotate group=”4″]What Allison is referring to is a couple Tuscarora plays which were called back in the second quarter because of penalties, including what looked to be a 79-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Ethan Gick.
The Spartans’ defense, however, made the necessary adjustments over night, forcing back-to-back turnovers on downs to start the second half, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
“They were penalties, but we were very fortunate,” Broad Run head coach Matt Griffis said. “Our defense could have come out here today doubting themselves, but they came out knowing what they had to fix, and they took care of it.”
And while the Broad Run defense got going, the Spartans’ offense kept rolling.
On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Broad Run junior quarterback Mitch Griffis tossed a short pass to senior receiver Luke Lindenfeldar, who went 62 yards to the house, giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead less than 20 seconds into the game.
“That first play really sparked our energy, but I told the guys let’s not get complacent,” the younger Griffis said. “We weren’t going to score on just one play again. It’s going to take long drives. So let’s keep our foot on the gas pedal.”
Then on the first series of the second half, Griffis added to the Spartans’ lead, connecting with sophomore receiver Jake Busser for a 59-yard touchdown pass.
“It starts with those five guys up front on the offensive line. They do a great job blocking and so do our tight ends and H-backs,” the Wake Forest-commit said. “Having those guys blocking for me – and having Tim in the backfield – makes my job a lot easier.”
For just the second time in two years, Broad Run junior running back Tim Baldwin was held scoreless. But the attention he drew from the Tuscarora defense allowed Griffis and co. to go to work through the air.
“People are going to try to stop Tim, and I would too,” Coach Griffis said. “Defenses are filling up the box to stop Tim which makes him such an effective player with or without the ball in his hand.”
Broad Run (1-1) looks to stay hot when they host non-district foe Woodgrove (1-1) in Ashburn on September 7 before resuming Potomac District play on September 14 against John Champe (0-2). Tuscarora (1-1) will try to bounce back as the Huskies travel to T.C. Williams in Alexandria on September 7.
“Tuscarora is such a great ball club,” Mitch Griffis said. “It’s great to get the first reading of them, because we’re probably going to see them again.”
Scoring
1Q 11:44 BR Mitch Griffis to Luke Lindenfeldar 62-yard TD pass (Young PAT)
1Q 5:56 T LeRon West 3-yard TD run (Skirkanich PAT)
1Q 1:17 BR Dylan Young 22-yard field goal
3Q 4:58 BR Mitch Griffis to Jake Busser 59-yard TD pass (Young PAT)
4Q 10:19 BR Mitch Griffis to Romy Miner 21-yard TD pass (PAT blocked)
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