Spartans present a tough task for Sherando

By Jeremy Stafford -- jstafford@nvdaily.com

Don't believe for a moment the top-seeded Broad Run Spartans have slackened since winning the 2008 Group AA, Division 4 state championship.

In fact, Spartans coach Mike Burnett said that, because his team is sporting the proverbial target on its back, Broad Run's focus on repeating as state champion has remained incredibly keen.

"We've had a lot of tough games," Burnett said. "We haven't had a lot of games where we've been able to take it easy.

"Everybody kind of plays hard against us, and it's really kept us pretty sharp."

And with a core of college-bound, highly explosive offensive players returning from that state championship team, Broad Run has possibly the most incendiary offense in the state.

Tailback T.J. Peeler, a 6-1, 200-pound tailback who has committed to the University of Pittsburgh, has rushed for 1,791 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 8.5 yards per carry all but guarantees the Spartans a first down each time he touches the ball.

What's more, as defenses gear toward stopping Peeler, they easily forget about sophomore quarterback Connor Jessop, who has passed for 17 touchdowns and only one interception.

"[Peeler] takes a lot of pressure off [Jessop], and I think that's been the blessing for us -- we haven't had to put Connor under a lot of pressure," Burnett said, "and when we have, he's been great."

Of course, much to Jessop's relief, he has a Syracuse University-bound wide receiver in Adrian Flemming to throw to. Though Flemming has only 285 yards receiving, he's caught six touchdowns for the Spartans.

Thus, Sherando coach Bill Hall has one simple request for his defense: Don't get down if Broad Run moves the ball.

"I think it will be important for us to do a good job, not stopping, but trying to contain those guys and keeping them from making the explosive play," Hall said. "Obviously they're going to get yards, and they're going to make some catches, but don't give up the big play -- make them earn it."

Sherando linebacker Baxter Newman said that while Peeler is certainly a back to be reckoned with, the Warriors won't change their fundamental approach to stopping the run.

"We just treat him as every other running back: hit him hard; hit him often," Newman said. "It's going to take a solid effort throughout the whole defense, 'cause if we're lacking in one part of the defense, they'll exploit it real quick."

Sherando (9-2) at Broad Run (11-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Broad Run High School, Ashburn

Who to watch: Sherando -- Corey Rice, senior, QB (68-for-123 passing for 889 yards, five TDs); Jalen Brisco, sophomore, QB (20-for-26 passing for 347 yards, five TDs); Kadeem Blackwood, senior, RB (283 yards, three TDs); Dalton Boyd, senior, WR (627 yards, seven TDs); Shawn Branham, senior, LB, (155 tackles); Baxter Newman, senior, LB (113 tackles, four sacks); Zack James, senior, DB (66 tackles, four interceptions). Broad Run -- Connor Jessop, sophomore, QB (59-for-108 passing for 1,080 yards, 17 TDs); Adrian Flemming, senior, WR (285 yards, six TDs); T.J. Peeler, senior, RB (1,791 yards, 18 TDs); Johnny Meier, senior, LB.