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Another impressive win for Panthers
The Potomac Falls Panthers used the same recipe for success Oct. 3 against Loudoun County that has worked so well in leading them to an undefeated start to the 2008 football season.
The Panthers scored early and kept their foot on the throttle throughout Friday's game with a versatile offense that is equally adept at reaching the end zone on the ground or through the air.
The end result was an impressive 47-14 victory against the host Raiders that keeps Potomac Falls (2-0 in the Dulles District, 5-0 overall) tied atop the district standings with reigning champion Broad Run.
"We have a running game and we have a passing game," Panther coach Scott Woodlief said. "When they started keying on our run, we started throwing the football. We had a couple of big plays on them and we opened them up in the secondary a little bit and then we started running the football. I think when we have both aspects going, we can play some good football."
Potomac Falls scored on its first possession Friday and never looked back. The Panthers turned three consecutive Raider (1-1, 3-2) turnovers into 20 points during a 93-second span of the second quarter to take full control at 27-0.
Senior Michael "Touchdown Maker" Baker found the end zone twice in the victory. Baker broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, then added a 39-yard fumble return for a score just 52 seconds later. Baker now has 11 touchdown runs and 14 total touchdowns on the season.
"We come into every game wanting to get up quick and just keeping pounding them all the way through the game," Baker said. "I think we did a great job of that tonight."
Potomac Falls matched its season scoring average of 47 points per game in the win. Gregory Woodlief connected with Tarrell Owens on a pair of touchdown passes. Woodlief also rushed for two scores, including a 67-yard touchdown run on the second offensive play of the second half.
Leo Pittman, who forced the fumble Baker returned for a touchdown, closed out the game's scoring with an 11-yard TD run. The Panthers have now outscored their opponents 233-79 this season.
"Our offense is real diverse," Baker said. "We have five or six playmakers that can put the ball in the end zone on any chance we get. When a defense can't key on one guy, they have to key on everything on the field, it opens a lot of things up for us."
Loudoun County entered Friday's game sky high after posting impressive wins against James Wood and Park View in its previous two games, but were unable to dig out of a 27-0 hole against a team the caliber of Potomac Falls.
Raider quarterback Joe Bushrod was under heavy pressure throughout the game. Bushrod avoided several near sacks but was still pulled down six times for a loss. He passed for 212 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown completion to Jake Wasko for County's lone score of the first half. Andrew Walczak's one-yard touchdown run capped off an 11-play, 77-yard drive in the third quarter.
Both teams are back in action Oct. 10. The Panthers play at Sterling rival Park View (1-1, 2-3), and the Raiders will host Briar Woods (1-1, 4-1).
Bringing the wood
The Panthers pride themselves on playing a physical brand of football. Senior David Zedan symbolizes the hard-nosed style of play with a two by four piece of lumber that he brings to each game.
"We have a saying on this team called 'bring the wood'. It's about going out there and hitting people hard and talking with your shoulder pads, not your mouth," Zedan said. "I've brought this old two by four to every game this season reminding us to 'bring the wood' and it's working right now."
Zedan carried the wood into Potomac Falls' huddle following its 47-14 win over Loudoun County Friday night to a roaring approval from his teammates. It has also become a ritual for every Panther to touch the wood before each game.
"The team loves it," Zedan said. "After every game, I hear it has to be the wood, man. It has to be the wood."
Individual leaders
Passing: PF-Woodlief (7 of 14 for 145 yards, 2 TD, 3 Int.); LC-Bushrod (17 of 31 for 208 yards, TD, Int.)
Rushing: PF-Baker (19 for 112 yards, TD), Woodlief (6 for 79 yards, 2 TD); LC-Green (8 for 27 yards)
Receiving: PF-McMichael (3 for 69 yards), Owens (2 for 42 yards, 2 TD); LC-Williams (6 for 63 yards), Ayoub (7 for 52 yards), Wasko (1 for 52 yards, TD)
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