Centreville Defeats Lake Braddock, Heads to Regional Championship

Photos by Celeste Linthicum, article by Todd Smith

Lake Braddock got within four points of extending its playoff appearance but Concorde District leading rusher Manny Smith racked up 161 yards on the ground and hit pay-dirt three times, leading his (11-1) to victory over Lake Braddock (7-5) in the AAA Northern Regional semifinal Friday night, 21-18. 

“We played a very good Lake Braddock team and they were much better than the first time we played them,” said Coach Chris Haddock regarding his team’s semifinal win. “The kids hung in there when it got tight and we were able to do what we needed to do.”

The Bruins chewed away at Centreville’s 14-0 lead in the second half with a touchdown and field goal to close in, down just 14-10. But Wildcat quarterback Mitch Ferrick did what he does best – pass the ball accurately to get his team into scoring position. The senior QB has completed 64 percent of his passes on the year and kept consistent with that mark Friday, going 10 for 16 for 129 yards through the air. 

“He’s been real solid for us all year. He manages the game, keeps the kids focused and poised,” Haddock said regarding Ferrick’s performance. “What’s neat about Mitch is he’s been to every single Centreville football game that’s ever occurred because his dad has been one of the coaches since the school opened. It’s been his dream to be the quarterback here at Centreville and he’s getting his chance to live that dream.”

 Smith eventually knifed his way through Lake Braddock’s ‘D’ for his third score of the game late in the second half to nix any hope of a Bruin championship. Meanwhile, the Wildcat defense held its opponent to less than 20-points for the 11^th straight time this season. And Friday was just the second time in 2011 Haddock’s squad has allowed more than 14-points in a game. Haddock said his defense has been underrated all year due to his highly touted explosive offense garnering most of the attention.

 “A lot of people just look at our scores and think we’re just an offensive oriented team,” Haddock said. “But I think it’s the opposite and our defense gives our offense opportunities.”

Smith took advantage of those opportunities and surpassed the 100-yard-rushing mark for the 10th time this year, totaling 1,583 yards and 18 TDs on the ground this season. But the Wildcats are far from finished as the Northern Regional Championship hangs in the balance for the taking this Saturday in what should be the most anticipated regional match up of the year, in a grudge match against Westfield (12-0) for the regional championship. The Bulldogs edged Centreville on Oct. 28 in overtime, 13-10. But Haddock and his Wildcats have earned their shot at redemption with the Northern Regional title on the line.

Centreville plays at at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26.