Briar Woods Tops Broad Run in OT for Ashburn Football Supremacy

The Briar Woods Falcons continued their run for another state title, topping Broad Run 37-34 in overtime in the 5A North Semifinal Friday night for a spot in the region final.

Each year Ashburn consistently puts together three incredible high school football teams –Briar Woods, Broad Run and Stone Bridge – giving the local fans plenty of opportunities to see some great work on the gridiron. This year was possibly the most competitive for the teams. Broad Run previously knocked Stone Bridge from the regional playoffs before heading to Brambleton Friday.

Briar Woods got off to a hot start, with rushing touchdowns by Trace McSorley and Anthony Martinez, followed by a Nick LaFrankie field goal for a 17-0 lead after the first quarter. Then a field goal by Broad Run’s Sammy Sergei followed by a rushing touchdown from Corey Hilberath pulled the Spartans to within seven before McSorley tossed one to Melvin Holland Jr. to give the Falcons a two-touchdown lead at the half, 24-10.

Broad Run shut down Briar Woods offense in the second half, while continuing to score. In the third quarter, Brady Reitzel threw 27- and 88-yard touchdown passes to Chuck Davis and Travis Fulgham, respectively, tying the game 24-24.

Neither team could muster a score in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime.

The Falcons struck first in overtime when Trace McSorley threw an 8-yard pass to Brandon Polk for a 31-24 lead. The Spartans dug in and struck back with 10-yard passing score from Brady Reitzel to Travis Fulgham. Broad Run scored again on a 27-yard field goal from Sammy Sergei.

But McSorley, who has led the Falcons to three consecutive state championship and who tossed five touchdowns a week earlier, grabbed the final glory with a 1-yard run for 37-34 win.

Briar Woods will face the winner of Saturday’s game between top-seeded Massaponax and North Stafford — which dealt the Falcons their lone loss this season.

The Falcons will play the winner of today’s game between Massaponax and North Stafford. North Stafford beat Briar Woods earlier this year 19-7 – the team’s only loss.