LIVE Blog of 6C Finals - South County 31, Lake Braddock 15 - FINAL

[matthew328826]

Set for Black Friday VHSL Football action as it's South County (12-0) hosting Lake Braddock (10-2) in the Region 6C Championship. It's a re-match of last year's playoffs, which South County won 15-9. It's also a re-match from a regular season finale that saw the Stallions prevail, 40-21.

Follow updates here and via Twitter @ hatfieldsports

Before that, let's go through Brantley Henninger's Preview, which you can see in our next post....

 

[matthew328826]

From Brantley's Preview in the NOVA Predictions...

Region 6C Final:


#3 Lake Braddock Bruins (10-2) vs. #1 South County Stallions (12-0)

When these teams met a few weeks ago, Lake Braddock score more points in the second half (29) than any other team had scored against South County in an entire game (20). Nonetheless, the Stallions offense stepped up and dropped 40 points, securing the win.

Lake Braddock bounced back from dropping the regular season finale by trouncing James Robinson 42-14 in the opening round of Regional playoff play, then outlasting second seeded Mount Vernon in an overtime thriller in the Regional Semifinals. As has been the case almost all season, the Bruins have turned to the ever-reliable Joe Murray on offense. The senior RB has broken out for 1,919 rushing yards (7.6 avg.) and 27 touchdowns, as well as 279 receiving yards (17.4 avg.) and 3 more scores.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Murray has more carries and yards (57 for 471) over the last two games than he had in any two-game span in the regular season. With a chance to surpass 2,000 rushing yards for the season Murray will most likely continue the trend, even if he is facing one of the best defenses in all of Class 6. Not to be overlooked is senior TE/DE Matthew Hibner. The future Michigan Wolverine has stood out on both sides of the ball, with 832 receiving yards (23.1 avg.) and 11 TD on offense and 78 tackles (51 solo), 9 sacks, 40 hurries, and 3 interceptions on defense.

South County, meanwhile, has been in the habit of steamrolling the competition. The Stallions have pitched four shutouts and held another four opponents to single digits en route to an average 33.2 point margin of victory. After surrendering a season-high 29 points to Lake Braddock to close out the regular season, South County has outscored their two playoff foes 77-0. Senior QB Matt Dzierski, who somehow manages to fly under the radar every week, has led the offense with 2,700 passing yards for 34 TD and just 5 interceptions, while adding 524 yards and eight more scores on the ground.

WR Brock Spalding has easily been the favorite target in the passing game, hauling in 64 catches for 1,120 yards (17.5 avg.) and 17 TD. The defense has been fortified by Senior LB Nico Asmar who led the team with over 100 tackles, and Senior Athlete Zion Dayne. Having lined up at DE, DT, LB, TE, and RB, Dayne has contributed in every imaginable way; he has racked up rushing touchdowns and sacks, and block field goals and PATs almost every week this season.

Though the game could go either way, South County should have the advantage. The Stallions already have a win this season, and now their defense has first-hand experience against the Bruins' offense. That said, Lake Braddock's defense has picked up momentum over the past two weeks and could limit South County's scoring.

Brantley's Prediction: South County 27, Lake Braddock 18
Matt Hatfield Says: South County 23-15
VHSL-Reference.com Says: South County 29-13
Coach Ed Young Says: South County 18-12


... Ok, set for kick-off, it'll be Lake Braddock ball first, from their own 20.

 

[matthew328826]

Nice drive to start for Mike Dougherty's Lake Braddock Bruins. Joe Murray broke off a run of 19 yards near midfield. Then Billy Edwards found Remi Johnson for a completion into South County territory.

But they are facing 3rd & 8 at the South County 44. Then it's Zion Dayne - son of the former Wisconsin Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne - making the sack - to bring down Billy Edwards for a loss of 1.

South County begins their first possession at their own 32.

 

[matthew328826]

On their second play from scrimmage, South Cunty fumbles as they give it to Keshawn Toran and Remi Johnson of Lake Braddock recovers. The Bruins begin their second series at their own 48.

Billy Edwards scrambles 11 yards and now Lake Braddock is on the move. Matt Hibner - the Michigan commit - makes a great grab worth 14 yards out of trips left to get them to the 23 of South County.

 

[matthew328826]

Tell you what, South County's defense is playing tough and physical as Haris Khan, Nico Asmar and Zion Dayne are all making big hits. In fact, one was a bit too violent from Dayne on third down, drawing a flag on the Stallions. It also forces Billy Edwards to come off for a play.

On 3rd & Goal from the 10 of South County - the Bruins go with trips right. A better snap this time from the center to the QB Edwards and he finds the Michigan man Hibner for a touchdown on a great back shoulder fade.

 

[matthew328826]

 

[matthew328826]

1:16 left 1stQ - South County 7, Lake Braddock 7. Matt Dzierski with a 35-yard TD pass to the sophomore Brock Spalding. Caps a 7-play, 80-yard drive in just 2:43 for the Stallions.

A very precise, fast-paced drive by South County to answer. Matt Dzierski got the ball in the hands of about four different playmakers and he's 5 of 5 for 61 yards so far.

 

[matthew328826]

 

[matthew328826]

The South County defensive front is starting to pin its ears back and take control as Haris Khan, Dorian Mitchell and Zion Dayne all now have multiple tackles for loss. In fact, combined we're looking at about 8 total for those three, mostly assisted.

Billy Edwards and Joe Murray can make things happen - at the QB and RB spots respectively - but the Lake Braddock offensive line will have to step up to let them dazzle.

 

[matthew328826]

Trying to catch my breath as this has easily been the hardest game to blog at the speed in which it's being played by both fast and furious offenses.

We're looking at a 4th & 1 from the 19 of Lake Braddock and for the second straight play South County goes with the Wildcat with the jumbo back in Zion Dayne, the big fella headed to Yale. Approaching just 4 minutes to go in the first half.

A couple of tough stands from the Lake Braddock defense, where Matt Hibner is doing double duty and playing along the defensive line.

Earlier in the 2nd quarter - SoCo QB Matt Dzierski had a huge 45-yard completion to Joshawn Lewis, who fumbled and it was recovered by Lake Braddock (not positive, but appeared to be Marcus Cousins on that recovery for the Bruins). Lake Braddock had trouble blocking up front again and they ended up punting it away with Hibner, only getting about 15 net yards to allow the Stallions to start at the 41 of the Bruins.

 

[matthew328826]

Coach Gerry Pannoni (who I say this affectionately could pass for the brother of late great pro wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage) of South County would've liked the touchdown, but he'll take the 3 points nonetheless.

 

[matthew328826]

Penalties - with their inability to protect up front against Haris Khan, Nico Asmar, Zion Dayne, Dorian Mitchell, Dayshawn Coleman and anyone else South County sends at the quarterback - have plagued Lake Braddock. So much so that before 3rd & 36, Head Coach Mike Dougherty goes out on the field during a time-out, voices his displeasure and gets a sideline warning.

Joe Murray's latest run only gets a yard with, guess who? Dayne there to stop him. So Matt Hibner will now be punting from his own end zone with 1:50 to go until intermission.

 

[matthew328826]

Excellent punt, albeit low, by Matt Hibner as it gets a nice roll to put South County at their own 44 with 1:40 remaining in the second quarter. If Lake Braddock can get to half-time, only down 10-7, they'll take it as they can try to re-group with the o-line and gives themselves a shot.

This is an important series for South County as a touchdown can give them some breathing room and allow them to deliver a dagger with another score early in the second half.

 

[matthew328826]

Matt Hibner is everywhere. Whether he lines up on the defensive line or at outside linebacker, he's proving to be a difference-maker on defense in addition to his exploits at tight end. His sack of Matt Dzierski results in a loss of 9 and on 3rd & 23, they only get back 5 of it with a pass completion to Brock Spalding, the talented tenth grader. His older brother Dillon - now at JMU - was one of the best ever to come out of Northern Virginia at the wide receiver spot.

A tremendous 52-yard punt from Owen Alfaro pins Lake Braddock at their own 13 with under a minute to go in the opening half. They'll go to the break, trailing by 3.

 

[matthew328826]

Back in a bit...

 

[matthew328826]

Actually agree with this assessment, but we'll see if it has an impact on the outcome...

Your half-time numbers...

Stats at the Half:

South County 10:
Matt Dzierski - 9-11 for 125Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio
Keshawn Toran - 8Car. 20Yds.
Jaeden Davis - 2Car. 24Yds.
Brock Spalding - 4Rec. 54Yds. TD
Joshawn Lewis - 3Rec. 65Yds.
Zion Dayne - 7 Tackles (4 Solo), 2TFL, Sack; 3Car. 3Yds.
Haris Khan - 7 Tackles, 4.5TFL, 2.5 Sacks

Stallions - 25 plays for 153 total yards (9-11 for 125 pass yards; 14 rushes for 38 yards, 2 lost fumbles); 2 turnovers; 4 penalties for 24 yards


Lake Braddock 7:
Billy Edwards - 5-9 for 41Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio; 7Car. 12Yds.
Joe Murray - 15Car. 41Yds; 2Rec. 11Yds.
Matt Hibner - 2Rec. 24Yds. TD; 6 Tackles (4 Solo), Sack
Stuart Reid - 5 Tackles (3 Solo)
Marcus Cousins - 4 Tackles (3 Solo), Fumble Recovery
Remi Johnson - 1Rec. 6Yds; 2 Tackles, Fumble Recovery

Bruins - 31 plays for 94 total yards (5-9 for 41 pass yards; 22 rushes for 53 yards); 0 turnovers; 1 penalty for 15 yards

 

[matthew328826]

South County has come out of the locker room and made a conscious effort to pound the rock, using the bulldozer that is Zion Dayne. He gains chunks - 7, 10, 3 - between the tackles following a 7-yard grab from Brock Spalding.

As the Lake Braddock defense hangs tough, on 3rd & 9, the Stallions take a shot deep and they draw a 15-yard pass interference penalty on the Bruins. That will put them in Lake Braddock territory. A nice job of being patient and then lulling the defense asleep to attack with the aggressive shot.

Michael Iduma comes through on Matt Dzierski's blind-side and drops him for a loss of almost 10 on a sack.

 

[matthew328826]

What a day Spalding - only a sophomore - is having. He's got 6 catches for 107 yards and 2 TD's. Brock entered with 64 receptions for over 1100 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season.

Sense of urgency has to be high for Lake Braddock, now beginning at their own 26 on their first series of the second half.

 

[matthew328826]

Lake Braddock goes 3 & out and their offensive line did not help them much as a low snap put QB Billy Edwards running in trouble. Haris Khan dropped him for a loss of 2. Joe Murray got a solid run of about 6. Yet, on 3rd down, there's not enough time or an open receiver for Edwards to find to move the chains.

South County's second series of the third quarter on offense will begin at their own 20.

 

[matthew328826]

You have to cash in when the chances come ... or else you're headed home.

 

[matthew328826]

A long completion from QB Matt Dzierski to Dylan Dunn worth 36 yards has South County knocking on the door again.

After a Lake Braddock penalty, the Bruins show some toughness on three straight run plays with the bruiser Zion Dayne to set up 4th & Goal from the 1 with under a minute to play in the 3rd period.

 

[matthew328826]

Michigan commit Matt Hibner, Marcus Cousins, Stuart Reid, Michael Weidinger, Michael Udma, Remi Johnson and even Max James - known more as a receiver - have all made some key stops today for the Lake Braddock defense. Now can the o-line give the offense a chance to put together a drive that gets them back in it during the 4th quarter?

 

[matthew328826]

There's only one place worse to be in for the beginning of the 4th quarter. That's from your own 1. Lake Braddock is in a danger spot here.

 

[matthew328826]

Have no idea how he did it, but Billy Edwards, the junior QB with double-digit D-1 offers, was able to scoot away from the pressure and take off for a gain of 17 yards to nearly the 20.

On 3rd down though, South County brings the heat and they make Edwards feel the pain...

 

[matthew328826]

 

[matthew328826]

Boom - that may have been the dagger.

 

[matthew328826]

Credit Lake Braddock for not quitting as they have put together a rather good drive in the 4th quarter while trailing by 17. Billy Edwards misfired on six straight passes to end the first half and begin the second half, but he found Matt Hibner for a 26-yard completion. Joe Murray has gotten back in a decent rhythm running the ball.

Can the Bruins finish the drive?

With 5:03 to go, Lake Braddock QB Billy Edwards is being looked at as he was under duress and got the wind knocked out of him by Zion Dayne, the defensive beast for South County.

 

[matthew328826]

You can't block Zion Dayne with 1 guy. Simply can't do it - in my opinion - at this level. Trust that Westfield Coach Kyle Simmons and Yorktown Coach Bruce Hanson are aware. Those two teams square off, where the winner should be taking on South County in the State Semis.

These two teams average in that 40 point per game neighborhood - and today the storyline has been defense.

With 2:27 to go after two plays of basically no yards for South County, the Bruins will call time-out. The Stallions face 3rd & 10 from their own 43.

 

[matthew328826]

A defense for South County that comes up with its first takeaway on the day, yet had by my count 19 tackles for loss, 10 sacks. A couple of those tackles for loss could possibly be charted as sacks. Certainly it was a group effort with eight different defenders stopping Lake Braddock's Billy Edwards or Joe Murray - one of the best backfield combos from the QB/RB spots in all of Northern VA - behind the line of scrimmage.

 

[matthew328826]

With 11 seconds to play, Lake Braddock won't stop - they can't stop - trying to sling the rock. Boy, that young man Billy Edwards has taken a pounding from a defense of South County giving up less than 9 points per contest. Yet, it's Edwards firing a 39-yard completion to his stud tight end Matt Hibner down to the 1.

Hibner goes over 100 yard mark on that catch - his 6th of the day. He also has about 11 total tackles as well.

On his 26th rushing attempt of the day - Joe Murray gets into the end zone for the first time. My stats are unofficial of course, but I have him at 80 yards. If that is the total, he will finish with exactly 1999 for the season. That is his 31st total touchdown - 28th on the ground - on the season.

 

[matthew328826]

Onside kick try coming.... ultimately, it won't matter as South County will be moving on to 13-0 overall and Lake Braddock finishing at 10-3 overall.

Stallions recover and will take a knee.

 

[Catch50]

View embedded media

Onside kick try coming.... ultimately, it won't matter as South County will be moving on to 13-0 overall and Lake Braddock finishing at 10-3 overall.

Stallions recover and will take a knee.

Thanks for a great job!!!

The Stallions had 12 sacks total. Harris Khan had 4.

 

[matthew328826]

South County will either travel to fellow 13-0 and unbeaten Westfield next Saturday, December 7 at 1:30 PM in a classic State Semifinal OR they will get to host a 12-1 surprising Yorktown team on that same date and time - on their home surface - for a chance to play the next weekend at Hampton University in the Class 6 State Championship. Remember, it's determined on who hosts by power rating, not seeding or overall record.

Westfield hosts Yorktown on Saturday, November 30th in a Region 6D Championship that fans can check out online from our friends at GamedayMagazine.com.

That'll do it - - will post some final numbers once I tally them all up and more reaction to come right here on your home for Virginia High School Football through the State Championships, you know it's VirginiaPreps.com.

 

[matthew328826]

Thanks for a great job!!!

The Stallions had 12 sacks total. Harris Khan had 4.

Sounds about right - I had 10 sacks, 19 tackles for loss as a group and he was great along with several other defenders.