Bruins Survive Defensive Struggle

Even when their opponent keeps them from lighting up the scoreboard, Michael Nebrich and Matt Zanellato put on a show.

Nebrich completed 19-of-31 passes for 288 yards, running for one touchdo0wn and throwing a 50-yard scoring strike to Zanellato that proved to be the game-winner in Lake Braddock's 12-7 victory over Westfield Thursday night. Zanellato finished the game with 10 catches for 207 yards and the touchdown.

On a bizarre play, Zanellato's 50-yard score nearly went in the books as an illegal touching penalty against the talented senior receiver. The Bruins trailed 7-6 late in the first half, and were looking to grab the lead heading into the locker room. On a second down play, Zanellato went out of bounds and was the first person to touch the ball after coming back in the field of play. The side judge initially had the call against Zanellato, but the back judge overruled and called defensive pass interference, allowing the touchdown to stand.

"It was an out-and-up and [the cornerback and I] got tangled up and we both kind of pushed off each other," Zanellato said. "He guided me out of bounds, he gave me that nudge to get out, so I wasn't surprised they called it on him."

Even with Nebrich himself accounting for close to 350 yards of total offense, the Bruins had by far their lowest output of the season. Offensive coordinator Chris Weiler attributed that to good coaching by Westfield and a few miscues by his receivers.

"Their defensive coordinator, Kyle Simmons, is great," Weiler said. "He has had a lot of time to practice against the spread offense. We dropped some balls tonight and we put some balls on the carpet, too, and that didn't help us."

The blowout wins may be easier on the nerves, but Head Coach Jim Poythress was happy his team got a test from Westfield and dealt with some adversity.

"I think it was good for us to have a close game," Poythress said. "In fact, I told somebody on the ride in, 'Better to be a close game or even lose because if [we] go in there and blow them out 50-0 and then our kids think they're great.' Next thing you know, we're getting knocked out come playoff time."

Although the game remained close throughout, the Westfield offense simply could not get anything going against a stout Lake Braddock defense. The Bulldogs only touchdown came after they recovered a fumble on the Bruins' 11-yard-line. Outside of the takeaway, Westfield had the ball in Lake Braddock territory just three times all game.

With three minutes left in the game and the ball at Lake Braddock's 46-yard-line Westfield Head Coach Tom Verbanic chose to punt on 4th-and-long, even though his team had just one timeout left. It was the last time they had the ball.

"To come out and have a performance like this with their backs against the wall, our offense sputtering a little bit, it's going to give our defensive side of the ball great confidence as the year moves on," Poythress said.

Every time the Bruins needed to come up with something, Nebrich looked in Zanellato's direction. Westfield was able to contain Nebrich on the ground, limiting him to 59 yards on 15 carries and constantly putting pressure on him in the pocket. They were unable, however, to stop what is quickly becoming one of the Northern Region's deadliest connections.

"As soon as [Zanellato] got over here we started working and he has done an absolutely great job in this offense," Nebrich said. "He just continues to improve each week."

The 3-0 Bruins host the TC Williams Titans next Friday night at 7:30 pm.