Broad Run routs Ballou in home opener
By Jason S. Rufner
Broad Run defeated Ballou 40-0 in 2007. This time, the Spartans allowed the Knights to score 14 points, but still won by 40 points on a wet Friday night in Ashburn. The 54-14 victory runs the Spartans' record to 2-0 on the young season.
Broad Run quarterback Chris Jessop set the game's tone on the home side's third play from scrimmage. The senior took a keeper off right tackle, slipped between a pair of Ballou linebackers and won a race with defensive backs to the end zone. The 65-yard scamper provided the first six of the Spartans' 33 first-half points.
Jessop accounted for four of Broad Run's eight touchdowns, delivering scoring tosses to David Weaver and Didier Saidi.
With Hanna beginning to deliver her promised rain as the game proceeded, Jessop made just eight passing attempts, completing four. He ran for 106 yards, covering 100 of those yards on just two carries.
"The [offensive] line did a great job," Jessop said. "It's kinda hard not to do good when you got all the athletes that I have around me."
Breon Earl took a pitch in from 20 yards out, and T.J. Peeler toted the mail home from 17 yards.
In his final snap before giving way to backup Tim Miscovich, Jessop wrestled several Ballou defenders into the end zone from one yard out.
With eight minutes remaining in the third quarter and the Spartans up 40-6, Broad Run coach Mike Burnett gave the reserves plenty of work under the lights of Friday night.
Fourteen different Spartans got offensive touches against the visitors from D.C., including Farid Aliyev, who carried four times for 18 yards and a touchdown.
As the third quarter wound down, Miscovich punctuated the Broad Run offensive effort. The lefty picked up a bad snap and in the resulting confusion weaved his way 10 yards to put the Spartans over the half-century mark.
Broad Run did not punt at all in the game.
In the contest's non-offensive aspects, linebacker Josh Nappier intercepted a pass, and Broad Run fell on three Ballou fumbles. The Spartans blocked an extra-point attempt and did not allow the Knights to start a drive ahead of their own 30.
"We're lucky to have a good kicker. That really can change the game," Burnett said. "Graham [Allen] is a great kicker, and I thought we did a nice job of covering kicks."
The coach had particular praise for one of his primary seniors.
"I thought Breon was really terrific tonight on both sides of the ball," said Burnett of Earl, who rushed for 85 yards and recovered a Ballou fumble. "He makes an awful lot of tackles coming in at the safety position."
Burnett was mostly, but not entirely, pleased with his defense, which didn't permit Ballou quarterback Delonte Edwards a completion until the fourth quarter but did allow the visitors 139 yards rushing.
"I think we were over-aggressive defensively. In the first half we were a little too fast at times; we'd overrun plays," Burnett observed. "They're big and strong up front, and they were wearing us down a little bit, but I think we made some decent adjustments. When we slowed down and stayed at home, we played a lot better."
One of Burnett's primary cogs on defense, linebacker Tyler Johnson, was helped off the field after injuring his left ankle during Edwards' nine-yard touchdown scramble early in the second quarter. He did not return.
The Spartans will work through a bye week before hosting Brentsville on Sept. 19.
Broad Run stat leaders
Passing: Jessop (4 of 8 for 51 yards, 2 TDs)
Rushing: Jessop (5 for 106 yards, 1 TD); Earl (7 for 85 yards, 1 TD); Peeler (2 for 33 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Weaver (1 for 21 yards, 1 TD); Saidi (1 for 9 yards, 1 TD); Flemming (1 for 16 yards)