Game of the Week: Broad Run hosts Osbourn

Game Time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Broad Run 

Broad Run will play its first-ever Cedar Run district game this week when the Spartans host the Osbourn Eagles of Manassas. In recent years, Osbourn has established itself as a Virginia football power, capturing a state title in 2006 and making it to the state playoffs in 2008 and 2010.

Earlier this season, Osbourn appeared headed for disaster after the defending state semifinalists  – – began the season with two straight blowout losses to Brooke Point and Mountain View. In those losses, the Eagles young squad committed eight turnovers and mustered little offense while being outscored 75-21. 

Yet since that inglorious start, the Eagles (5-2, 1-0 in the district) have reeled off five straight wins and sit atop the Cedar Run district standings after last week's 28-21 win over defending Division 6 state champion Battlefield.

Osbourn's most dangerous offensive weapon is running back Cedrick Delaney. The slightly built Delaney – who is listed at 5-foot-9, not including his old-school high-top fade – is one of the area's leading rushers and best overall athletes. Through seven games, Delaney has amassed 924 yards on the ground with a staggering 18 touchdowns. The speedster keyed Osbourn's win over Battlefield, as he racked up 175 yards rushing and scored all four of the Eagles’ touchdowns.

Delaney's emergence as a premier rushing threat is pretty remarkable considering he missed most of last season with a broken right fibula. But it's hard to hold back an athlete like Delaney, who also stars as an all-district point guard for the Eagles basketball team.

At quarterback, Osbourn's Conner Lane provides enough firepower through the air to make opposing defenses respect the Eagles passing ability. Lane has passed for more than 500 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Broad Run (5-1, 0-0) heads into the game after a bye week, which couldn't have come at a better time. All of the Spartans remaining games will be against district opponents, including tough back-to-back games against Osbourn and Battlefield.

Before the bye, the Spartans stomped Herndon 36-7, and got rid of a little of the sour taste that may have lingered after a disappointing overtime loss to Stone Bridge, in which the Broad Run defense gave up 31 second-half and overtime point. Against Herndon, the Spartan defense returned to its normally stingy form. Other than that second half against Stone Bridge, the Broad Run defense hasn't given up more than 14 points in any game this season.

Prediction: If the Spartans want to prove they belong as one of the elite AAA teams in the state, they will have the chance to prove it over the next two weeks against two perennial AAA powers. With an extra week to prepare and get healthy, and with the added advantage of playing at home as the Spartan faithful take part in the cancer awareness campaign, expect the Spartans to make a statement this week against the Eagles. Broad Run 24, Osbourn 14.