It managed just two first downs all game. The passing attack never got on track, and the running game was stuffed for most of the night.

So after four quarters of play on Friday night, all Lake Braddock's football team had to show for its effort was a measley 52 yards total offense and the knowledge that there is still much work to be done to get better.

Well, those things and a gratifying victory.

The Bruins offense may have struggled to move the ball in its non-district home contest against W.T. Woodson, but Lake Braddock converted turnovers into points when it had to and relied on several big plays from the defense and special teams to earn a 31-21 win.

``We didn't play up to what we expected to," Lake Braddock senior wide receiver Craig Gallimore said. ``We can play a lot better than what we did."

But it's unlikely the Bruins (1-1) could show any more resiliance than they did against the Cavaliers (1-1). Gallimore returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the second quarter and corner back Jeremy McCain returned two intercepted passes for touchdowns, the second of which regained the lead for Lake Braddock in the fourth quarter after Woodson had stormed back from two touchdowns down at halftime to tie the game.

``We did some good things," Woodson head coach Mark Cox said. ``We came back from 14 points down and tied the game at 21, so that's pretty good. But when you give up 31 points and only allow the other team [52] yards of offense, that's a tough thing for our kids to swallow."

The Cavalier defense was excellent for the second game in a row after holding Jefferson to seven points in the season-opener last week. Senior linebacker Matt Morrell had three sacks, spearheading a unit that allowed just 47 yards rushing on 32 carries. Lake Braddock's passing game also was shut down, completing one pass in seven attempts for five yards.

``All of them are playing well," Cox said. ``It's a great defensive group and it's a group that's going to keep us in a lot of ballgames. We just have to be more productive offensively."

Woodson turned the ball over on three of its first four possessions and quickly found itself down, 14-0, in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

Running back Stephen Niez got the Cavs on the board with a 69-yard touchdown run, but the jubilant Woodson sideline was deflated seconds later when Gallimore took the kick off straight up the middle for a 97-yard return to push the margin back to 14 points, 21-7.

``Actually, I had just about nothing to do with that play," Gallimore said with a smile. ``All I had to do was run...The walls, we had two walls, and they just opened a hole 15 or 20 yards wide, so all I did was see it and take off."

Cavaliers junior quarterback Mike Solomon, starting just his second game for the varsity, eventually shook off McCain's first 30-yard interception return, and fired a 25-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jose Olivero midway through the third quarter.

Another Bruins turnover deep in their own territory late in the quarter set up Niez's three yard, game-tying touchdown, which captured all the momentum and quieted the packed Lake Braddock stands.

``I kind of noticed it in the beginning [of the second half], that we didn't go out as strong," said Gallimore. ``We were describing it as a puzzle where we just have to put the pieces back together. It started to fall apart a little bit and then we started putting it back together more and more."

The puzzle was completed with startling speed. After yet another Braddock punt, the Cavaliers had the ball and the game in their hands. But McCain again broke on a Solomon pass and, in a virtual replay of the first interception, again returned it about 30 yards for the go-ahead score.

``The ball was just thrown up for grabs," McCain said. ``It was mostly because of the [defensive] line. They rushed [the quarterback] and forced the pass, both times."

``The thing is, you're not always given particular opportunities," Bruin head coach Marty Riddle said. ``So when an opportunity presents itself you have to take advantage of it and [McCain] did that tonight and it really helped us."

The Bruins defense took it from there, forcing another Woodson turnover, which led to a field goal by Tim Washburn that sealed the game

As Lake Braddock's offense adjusts to a new system, moving away from the four-receiver, one-back sets common last year, the defense will have to carry the load. It has been bolstered by the addition of Jonathan Lupino, an All-Patriot District offensive lineman a year ago who moved to defensive line, as well as running back Stephen Whittenberg, who moved to linebacker. The defense is off to a fine start, holding Centreville to 14 points in an opening-week loss.

``The thing that is unique about this group is that there's not really one kid that is just so dominating," Riddle said. ``I think what it is...we've got solid kids at every position and they play well together as a unit."

MARSHALL

As impressive as the Statesmen's backfield has been early on this season, the team may want to switch its nickname to the one Marshall University uses: The Thundering Herd.

A week after tailback Darryl Smith ran for more than 200 yards in a loss to Falls Church, fullback Colton Turner had a solid 113-yard day on 16 carries and two touchdowns in Marshall's 40-26 win against Washington-Lee (0-2). Smith added 99 yards of his own and a couple of touchdowns. Zack Leasure ran for 65 yards.

``It's a culmination of our offensive line playing well and the three kids we give the ball to share some responsibility as well," said Marshall head coach Pete Salvano. ``All those things blend together."

The trio has worked well together so far, with Smith a combination back combining strength and speed. Turner, though not as fast, is just as physical at 235 pounds, running over would-be tacklers instead of around them. And Leasure is the slotback, utilizing his quick feet to cut against the defense. The Statesmen controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the game, just as they did in the 51-18 loss to Falls Church, with Smith, Turner and Leasure running behind John Horner, Will Whitaker, Tommy Gratton, Jack Allison and Tim Silver.

The problem against Falls Church was the defense gave up too many big pass plays. The Statesmen again gave up their share of long runs against the Generals, but the defense played well when it had to and this time the offense created a few big plays of its own.

``We were on a roller coaster for a while," Salvano said. ``They got up 14-0 real quick, but we were able to tie the game right at halftime, 20-20, and then we controlled the ball in the second half." Marshall plays at home against Edison next Friday.

YORKTOWN

The Patriots (1-1) earned their first win, 27-7, at home against Jefferson (0-2) on Friday, a week after a frustrating loss in the opener against South Lakes, where the offense often appeared out of sych.

Yorktown ran the ball effectively against the Colonials. Juniors Duane Tigney (103 yards rushing), John Crone (91 yards rushing) and Dustin McDonald (85 yards) wore down Jefferson's defense. Offensive lineman Paul Sweda returned from injury and teamed with Brett Merkel and LeRoy Ford to open up holes for the backs.

``We feel a lot better this week," head coach Bruce Hanson said. ``We had a good week of practice and those kids did a nice job running the football."

The Patriots moved the ball well against South Lakes in Week 1 with Crone and Tigney each going for about 80 yards apiece. This time they were able to take advantage of their scoring opportunities. Yorktown dominated time of possession against Jefferson, holding the ball for more than 38 minutes. The Colonials ran the ball just five times and had 37 passing attempts, with quarterback Ivan Hall completing 16 passes.

MADISON

The Warhawks (2-0) dominated from the start in a game Falls Church (1-1) had hoped would show it could compete with the best teams in Division 5.

Madison ran early and often on the Jaguars with Omar Hashish doing the most damage, going for four touchdowns. Falls Church wide receiver Thomas Fawehinmi, who led the Northern Region in receiving in Week 1, was held in check by a swarming Madison defense. Fawehinmi did some damage on the ground instead, but his 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter came with his team already down 48-0.

Madison had more than 400 yards total offense. The Warhawks take on Stuart next week. Falls Church plays unbeaten Chantilly.

LEE

Lancer head coach Gerry Pannoni is slowly trying to work running back P.J. Cameron into his backfield mix again. Cameron was the team's leading rusher a year ago, but had reconstructive surgery on his knee last winter and, while physically recovered and in shape, is still trying to get back to the level he was at last year.

``We want to be careful because I don't want to pound him to death this early," Pannoni said. ``My daughter tore her ACL playing lacrosse so I know the committment it takes to get back. I don't want to pound the kid and lose him. He's barely nine months out of surgery. He's looks okay running the ball and when he's fully recovered he'll carry the ball more. He's going to have to."

Cameron ran the ball 11 times for 50 yards in the opener against Edison.