By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area
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Lake Braddock (2-1) at T.C. Williams (2-1)
DigitalSports Co-Game of the Week
The road team has won the last eight games in this series.
The last home win was in 2000, a 54-0 shutout for the Bruins in Burke as part of an unbeaten regular season.
Speaking of beating the dead horse: This year, Lake Braddock is 2-0 when high-profile offensive assistant coach Bill Renner in attendance, 0-1 when he’s not.
He won’t be at Saturday’s game.
However, the offense had its highest-scoring game in his absence, a 43-42 heartbreaking loss to Woodson.
Last week, he was on the sidelines, but it only had three points through three-plus quarters against Westfield. Ultimately, senior running back Osman Mansaray scored a decisive, 27-yard run in the Bruins’ 10-9 win. But chalk that game up to the defense.
That’s the lead determinant for Lake Braddock, not which assistants step off the bus. In its two wins, the defense has yet to allow an offensive touchdown.
T.C. Williams could not enter with more momentum, though. It beat defending Division 6 Northern Region champion, 15-9, last week at home on a 59-yard fumble return TD by senior linebacker Chelo Abbe with 1:51 left.
If you haven’t seen that highlight, welcome back to the Internet.
The Titans are arguably the most athletic teams in the region, making them one of the toughest teams to prepare for. Senior tailback Cortez Taylor is one of the quickest players in the region and must be accounted for on every down.
T.C. Williams’ defense bent, cracked, but never broke against Oakton, holding the Cougars without a second-half point and keeping its high-profile junior quarterback to his least productive outing of the season.
Lake Braddock’s keys to victory: Minimize interceptions — five last week — and, defensively, keep Taylor away from the edges.
T.C. Williams’ keys to victory: Senior Robert Carter needs to spell Taylor effectively to divert attention, senior John Bray needs to provide something of an aerial threat to keep L.B. honest –5-for-13 against Oakton with two pickles — and senior defensive end Dajuan Douglas needs to raise H-E-double hockey sticks like he did in the first two weeks.
This is a Saturday game, so there’s no excuse for the stands not to be packed with neutral fans. Yes, college football is on, but that’s what TiVos are for.
If you don’t have a DVR, join the people who didn’t see the Abbe touchdown and get to this century already.
Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com
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