Broad Run Stumbles; Stone Bridge Rolls

As October eases closer to an end, high school football games take on added importance as district races heat up and the playoffs edge ever closer. Friday night, two Ashburn teams moved in opposite directions, with Broad Run losing a pivotal district matchup on the road, while Stone Bridge again exerted its dominance in the Liberty District during homecoming weekend.

Coming off three straight wins, including last week's impressive 28-7 victory over Osbourn, Broad Run (4-4, 1-1 in district) had a chance to claim a share of the Cedar Run District lead with a win at Battlefield. Despite staying close through the first half, the Spartans could not keep pace with a bruising and balanced Battlefield attack. Austin Thibodeaux, Joe Walker and Ryan Swingle each rushed for at least 50 yards and a touchdown, and the Bobcats scored a 35-14 win. Corey Hilberath's 94 rushing yards and Dorian Jenkins’ 95 yards receiving were notable, but not enough to deliver victory to the Spartans.

Broad Run next faces district-leading Stonewall Jackson (8-0, 3-0) at home Friday.

The Stone Bridge Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0) had a much easier go of things, running away from the overmatched McLean Highlanders and cruising to a 49-7 win. Sterling Dailey had a monster game on the ground, picking up 138 yards on just seven carries, including scoring runs of 57 yards, 38 yards and 16 yards. Ryan Burns completed 13 of 18 passes for 238 yards, with two touchdown passes to D'Ante Yarborough and another to Rassaun Goldring.

The Bulldogs face their toughest district foe next week on the road at Madison (7-1, 5-0).

Briar Woods had a bye this week and plays Loudoun Valley (4-4, 3-3) Friday.

[Thanks to Chuck Moore and Random Snaps Photography for the pictures. Chuck's a Briar Woods dad (they had a bye, so he went to the Broad Run game). Do you regular shoot your child's games and would you be willing to share them? Let me know: dusty@patch.com]