Panthers pounce on Pride early in win
By Jason S. Rufner
Potomac Falls (1-0 in the Dulles District, 4-0 overall) was opportunistic Sept. 26 in a 48-21 home win against Heritage (0-1, 3-1) in each school's district opener.
The Panthers used turnovers and long returns to big-play Heritage to a 28-0 lead before the first quarter was done.
As chilly, damp air settled over Panther Stadium, Potomac Falls effectively controlled the ball to ice the game, punting only twice during the contest.
"We talked about jumping on Heritage quick and let's see how they respond," Panther coach Scott Woodlief said.
The Panthers' Chad McMichael set the game's tone by returning the opening kickoff 74 yards, then catching a 4-yard touchdown pass from Gregory Woodlief three plays later.
On Heritage's first play from scrimmage, Potomac Falls' defensive back Tarrell Owens saw a receiver flare out and another coming to block him to set up the screen. Pride quarterback Zach Gordon executed a perfect play-action fake that fooled everyone but Owens.
"I went as fast as I could to undercut it," Owens said, then smiled broadly. "That was easy."
Owens' insightful read on the play created a 17-yard pick six and a 14-0 Panther lead before the game was two minutes old.
A pair of Michael Baker touchdown runs -- the first a 57-yard sideline race, the second a 1-yard plow up the middle -- provided all the points that the Panthers would need to defeat coach Wes Driskill's Heritage team.
"We made some mistakes early; they took advantage of it," Driskill said. "We just got in too big a hole that we couldn't climb out of."
For the Pride, quarterback Brian Rody replaced Gordon early in the first quarter. Rody completed 16 of 31 passes for 218 yards, throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Ross Madison carried 17 times for 75 yards and caught one pass for 29 yards and a score.
Seven Heritage players caught a pass in the game.
The damage done by Potomac Falls was mostly on the ground with Michael Baker, who rushed 15 times for 114 yards and three scores.
Gregory Woodlief was efficient in completing nine of 14 for 114 yards. He tossed three touchdowns, allowing one interception.
Owens and Michael tandemed for 89 receiving yards and three touchdown catches.
The Panthers start a two-game road stretch Oct. 3 at Loudoun County.
That night, the Pride take on another team with numerous offensive weapons when Broad Run carries its perfect record into Leesburg.
"We're trying to earn some respect in this league," Scott Woodlief said. "In [the Dulles District], any team can beat any team on any given Friday night."