Briar Woods Powers Past Dominion

The Briar Woods Falcons rode a stifling defensive performance and a big day rushing from Cory Colder to a 41-7 win over district foe Dominion.

The tone for the game was set in the trenches, where the Falcons' (4-0, 2-0 in the district) defensive and offensive lines paved their way to, through and over the visiting Titans. 

The most telling statistic came in the form of rushing yards, where defensive linemen Josh Jacob and Nick Merletti led a punishing Falcon front seven that held Dominion (1-2, 1-1) to a total of two yards rushing for the entire game. Jacob finished the game with eleven tackles and two sacks, while Merletti added eight tackles of his own. The Falcon defensive front also routinely pressured Titan quarterback Donald Gasser, who threw three interceptions on the game: one each to Melvin Holland, Jr., Mike Barta, and Neil Barron. 

The defensive effort was even more impressive given the absence of linebacker Matt Rolin. The All-American candidate is still nursing an ankle injury that has kept him out of the last several Falcon games.

On offense, senior linemen Jard Coker, Jr. and Bran McKelvey helped pave the way for running back Cory Colder, who bulldozed through the Titan defense en route to 127 yards rushing and a touchdown. Quarterback Trace McSorley methodically picked apart the Dominion secondary, completing 10 passes to six different receivers for 108 yards and a score. McSorley added a 33-yard rushing touchdown of his own to round out another strong performance.

The Falcons next host Potomac Falls (1-3) this Friday night. The Panthers are coming off their first win of the season, a thrilling overtime victory against Heritage.