Drifters' Region A debut is a loud one PLAYOFFS

Drifters' Region A debut is a loud one PLAYOFFS
November 17, 2007 12:36 am
By MATT EPPERS



One of the smallest schools in the Virginia High School League is making a name for itself in its first year in the VHSL.

Colonial Beach racked up 406 yards of total offense on its way to a 40-19 win over Franklin in last night's Region A, Division I playoffs.

The Drifters (9-2) will play at Surry for the region championship next Saturday at 1 p.m.

"Man, this feels awesome," said senior running back Brandon Foster. "I can't wait to finally get the chance to play for states because that's what we're heading for."

Foster's 157 yards rushing paced a Drifters offense that finished with 304 yards on the ground.

Once Colonial Beach built a 27-point lead after three quarters, coach Jeremy Jack got everyone involved in the school's first VHSL playoff game.

Ten different players ran the ball for Colonial Beach.

"It's big," Jack said. "For a small community and our first time in the league, it's a really exciting. It's a whole new experience. It's a little bit beyond belief."

The Drifters were undefeated champs of the Delaney Athletic Conference a year ago, their last in the conference.

As a new member of the Tidewater District this season, Colonial Beach proved the jump was anything but a tough one.

The Drifters went 5-0 in district play and won the Tidewater title.

"We've been doubted the past couple seasons with our success as an independent," Jack said. "A lot of people said we couldn't do it at the VHSL level. But these guys have really bonded together. There's a lot of pride."

Colonial Beach spent nearly the entire first half in Franklin territory.

The Drifters ran 21 of their first 22 plays on the Broncos' side of the 50.

After a first quarter of great field position but no points, Colonial Beach finally got into to the endzone on the initial play of the second quarter.

Brent Steffey ran in from five yards away to cap a six-play drive that started on the Franklin 38.

"Playing on a short field was big," said Jack.

Steffey hit Tristan Carey on a 41-yard pass to cap the Drifters' next drive, which started on the Broncos 35-yard line.

On the first play after the kick-off, the Broncos fumbled. The Drifters recovered at the Franklin 18.

Three plays later, Tim Wilson plunged into the endzone from 1 yard out.

"Certainly you look for all your options," Jack said of using so many players on offense. "We've got to get productive reps from our first guys. I know we've got to get as many guys as possible in and get them experience in big games like this."

Terry Bushrod ran for 10- and 13-yard scores in the third, and Foster added a touchdown on a 49-yard draw play.

Franklin got an 89-yard touchdown pass from Donzell Shearin to Malik Brown late in the fourth.

"It's not just one person holding the weight on this offense," Foster said. "Everybody is getting involved, and everybody is having fun while they're doing it. Everybody is happy, and that's what we try to do. That's how we win games."

Steffey finished with 102 yards passing and 37 rushing. Bushrod had 40 on the ground, and Carey had three catches for 94 yards.



Franklin
0
7
6
6
--
19

Colonial Beach
0
20
20
0
--
40



Second Quarter

CB--B. Steffey 5-yard run (T. Carey kick).

CB--T. Carey 41-yard pass from B. Steffey (T. Carey kick).

CB--T. Wilson 1-yard run (kick failed).

Fr--E. Bottoms 12-yard run (J. Jervey kick).

Third Quarter

CB--T. Bushrod 10-yard run (T. Carey kick).

CB--B. Foster Jr. 49-yard run (pass failed).

Fr--E. Bottoms 3-yard run (run failed).

CB--T. Bushrod 13-yard run (T. Carey kick).

Fourth Quarter

Fr--M. Brown 89-yard pass from D. Shearin (run failed).

TEAMSTATISTICS

Fr
CB

First downs10
20

Rushing yardage35-78
36-304

Passing yardage128
102

Passes4-9-0
5-12-0

Punts-Avg.5-27.8
2-32

Fumbles-lost3-3
2-0

Penalties-yards 11-87
9-85



INDIVIDUALSTATISTICS

Rushing: Colonial Beach--Brandon Foster Jr. 10-157, TD; Terry Bushrod 5-40, 2TDs; Brent Steffey 5-37, TD; Dylan Farinet 3-25; Tim Wilson 4-18, TD; Nick Peterson 3-10; Travis Cundiff 2-10; Will Trivett 2-6; Chad Inscoe 1-1; Paul Roberson 1-0. Franklin--Elliott Bottoms 13-45, 2TDs; Isaiah Hudson 9-19; Donzell Shearin 11-15; Antonio Smith 1-1; Malik Brown 1-(-2).
Passing: Colonial Beach--Brent Steffey 5-9-0 102, TD; Brandon Foster Jr. 0-2-0 0; Dylan Farinet 0-1-0 0. Franklin--Donzell Shearin 4-9-0 128, TD.

Receiving: Colonial Beach--Tristan Carey 3-94, TD; Nathan Galloway 1-5; Terry Bushrod 1-3. Franklin--Malik Brown 3-103, TD; Antonio Smith 1-25.




Matt Eppers: 540/374-5440
Email: sports@freelancestar.com




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FRANKLIN 19 COLONIAL BEACH 40


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