Football: Top 10 Plays - Regional Quarterfinals

By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Manager, Washington D.C. Metro Area

Previous Weeks’ Top 10s:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10

Week 11 Top 10 Plays
Hon. Mention — Roland Roll Out
In the first quarter at Madison, Warhawk senior quarterback Eric Roland takes off on a designed roll out and dives for the pylon for an 11-yard touchdown run.

Hon. Mention — Angus Stakes Claim
In the first quarter at Madison, Eagle senior running back Angus Harper takes a weakside handoff, bounces against the flow of play and gets the corner for a 3-yard score that covered 30 yards.

Hon. Mention — Braden from Carson, Daily
Chantilly senior receiver Braden Voorhies skies for a 26-yard, juggling reception from quarterback Carson Romine over a Robinson defender, sparking the Chargers’ only scoring drive in their 10-7 loss to the Rams.

Hon. Mention — Sesay Pickle
Hayfield junior Hashim Sesay pulls down an athletic interception late in the first half at Yorktown. With the Patriots’ receiver suddenly acting as a defender, Sesay fends him off and pins the ball to his facemask for the pick and touchback.

No. 10 — End Zone Beckons Bechert
Early in the fourth quarter against Lake Braddock, Fairfax senior quarterback Jack Bechert dances around the pocket, eludes pressure and helicopters into the end zone between two defenders for an athletic, 3rd-and-goal touchdown run.

No. 9 — Sesay Hit Stick
Yorktown was driving in the first quarter, but faced a 3rd-and-9 at Hayfield’s 12-yard line. The Patriots appeared to have a touchdown, but Hawk junior Hashim Sesay had other plans as the ball reached the receiver. Sesay lowered his shoulder, cracked the Yorktown intended receiver and forced an incompletion, preserving Hayfield’s lead. The Patriots’ ensuing field goal attempt was blocked.

No. 8 –– Impressive INTs
The Lowe Down

In the third quarter of a two-score game against Lake Braddock, Fairfax senior defensive end Richard Lowe swats a pass attempt straight into the air, pivots and plucks the ball in one fluid motion for an interception and a 17-yard return. The Rebels’ upset bid fell short, though, 19-14.

How Sweet it Is

Westfield senior Ryan Sweet blows up South County’s attempt at a bubble screen, shoving the blocker into the intended receiver. Beyond that, the pass deflects off the blocker’s back and Sweet had the presence of mind to secure an interception.

No. 7 –– Cougars Flick Fleas
With minutes remaining it his season, Oakton coach Joe Thompson reached deep into the bag of tricks. Cougar junior quarterback Jimmy Boone, junior running back Luke Willis and senior Matt Chandler pulled off a perfect flea-flicker, as Boone hit Willis for a 46-yard score.

No. 6 — Bulldog Bite
Westfield sophomore running back Kendall Anderson bounces off-tackle weakside and flattens a South County defensive back at the goal line. This 18-yard touchdown sparked Anderson to a four-carry, 54-yard night.

No. 5 — Cougar Case of the Mondays
Woodson junior Tyler Monday fields this Oakton punt on the hop and heads toward the home sideline. In turning the corner, Monday gets leveling blocks from seniors Charles Basil, Patrick Bulger and Betrand Ngampa, springing a 36-yard return. (**Second most watched clip of the week!!)

No. 4 –– QB Theft
Picks Pence, None the Richer

Madison senior defensive tackle Charlie Pence pops the ball from the hand of the Edison quarterback and senior defensive end Kevin Sampson grabs it out of the air, earning the Warhawks possession at the Eagles’ 5-yard line. Madison avenged its last two playoff eliminations, defeating postseason-rival Edison, 31-10.

Greeting Card’illo

Yorktown senior linebacker Erik Cardillo gets to Hayfield’s quarterback on a blitz and plucks the ball from his hand — mid-release — resulting in a recorded sack, fumble forced and fumble recovery.

No. 3 — Marshall Law Nazrul’es Pats
Yorktown marched 54 yards on the opening drive of its quarterfinal against Hayfield, but had to settle for a would-be 20-yard field goal. Hawk junior linebacker Justin Marshall had other plans, though, blocking the kick, allowing senior Nazrul Islam to scoop the loose ball and head 84 yards for the first of five first-half Hayfield touchdowns. The Hawks won their first playoff game in 16 years, 34-6. (**Most watched clip of the week!!)

No. 2 — Stoked
As time expired for halftime, Woodson senior Connor Reilly dumped a pass over the middle to sophomore tailback Jonathan Stokes. Stokes bounced off two defenders, got the corner and headed to the end zone for a 22-yard, buzzer-beating score. The touchdown doubled the Cavs’ lead, allowing them to coast to a 31-16, first-round win.

No. 1 — Me, Myself and Iyebote
As time expired for halftime, South County senior quarterback Aaron Andrews launched an end-zone-bound pass to junior receiver Oniyemi Iyebote with Westfield defensive backs looming. Iyebote pulled down the 28-yard touchdown pass to cap a 50-point first half. It also proved the game-winning score as South County beat Westfield, 27-23, for the only road win of the quarterfinal round.