High School Football is Back!

Summer is over and football is back! Ashburn’s Briar Woods, Broad Run and Stone Bridge high school varsity football teams have combined to win four state championships since 2007 – including Briar Woods first state title last season – and all three are poised to make deep playoff runs again this year.

The Broad Run Spartans lead off the local action at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, when the team hosts cross-town rival Park View High School. Briar Woods and Stone Bridge start their seasons next week. 

Be sure to check back soon for previews of Briar Woods and Stone Bridge as well as continued coverage.

Moving on Up

For the past four seasons, the Spartans have been a dominant force in Virginia AA high school football. During that span, the team compiled a 49-3 record, won three straight Dulles District titles, and captured state championships in 2008 and 2009. Last year, the Spartans appeared headed for a third consecutive title; but Briar Woods beat them twice last year en route to its first state championship.

A new set of challenges awaits Broad Run this year. For starters, an increase in student population forced the team to make the jump from AA to AAA Division 5 football. Playing in the very competitive Cedar Run district, the Spartans have arguably the toughest schedule in the state. The team faces both rival Ashburn powerhouses in September, in addition to perennial playoff contender Woodbridge. Then, in mid-October the Spartans host back-to-back games against last year's Division 5 state semifinalist, Osbourne High School and Division 6 state champion Battlefield High.

"We're getting ready to play great competition," said Spartan head coach Matt Griffis. "In triple AAA, they don’t know who Broad Run is. They don’t pay attention to AA football. Battlefield and Osbourne don't even know we exist, and that's kind of nice. Hopefully we'll sneak under people's radar and have some success."

Even though the Spartans will be the new kids on the AAA block, it might be tough for the team to sneak up on anyone, with a roster stacked full of big, talented players. Boasting 24 seniors and many starters from last year's playoff team, the Spartans have the depth and experience needed to face their competition this season.

Leading the charge for the Spartans are mammoth linemen Brendan Vechery – a transfer from Fairfax's Lee High School – and Jackson Matteo, both of whom are recruitment candidates for several Division 1 colleges. Standing taller than 6-foot-5 each, the dynamic duo will pave the way for running back Derril Thomas and the Spartan's power rushing game. Thomas scored 20 touchdowns last year despite playing with numerous injuries.

Senior quarterback Connor Jessop, who lead the Spartans to a state title in his sophomore season, stands 6-foot-4 and will target his favorite wide receiver Michael Stratton, as well as returning tight end and all-district defensive end Caleb Lindsay.

In addition to the returning talent, the Spartans stand to benefit from another year of experience under Griffis, who led the team to the regional final game last year in his rookie season as head coach.

"Being in the second year, the kids understand the expectations for practice, they're more comfortable with what we're doing on defense, more comfortable with what we're doing on offense,” he said, adding that the players “are a lot calmer and more comfortable with what's going on, and the same with myself."

Even with a daunting schedule ahead, this year’s Spartan team appears poised for another playoff run regardless of its division.

[Correction: Michael Price was previously listed as a member of the Spartans. He is not attending Broad Run this year. Patch apologizes for the error.]