The No. 19 Bruins, a consistent power out of Anne Arundel County, knew they would need to find an answer for Avit if they were going to return to the Maryland state finals for the first time since 2003. And on Friday night in Potomac, they had an answer for just about everything as they handled the No. 10 Bulldogs and cruised to a 31-7 win.
Broadneck (11-2) will face Wise in the 4A championship next week at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
“Nobody ever thinks we can do something like this. Everybody always sleeps on Broadneck,” Coach Rob Harris said. “And you know what? I think we are where we should be.”
Harris’s team entered this semifinal matchup riding the high of a season-changing, 21-20 win over Northwest in last weekend’s state quarterfinals. Churchill, playing in the state semifinals for the first time since 1995, struggled to replicate the ingredients that helped it power its way to this major stage.
Avit, an undeniable force in the backfield, was held somewhat in check by an aggressive Bruins front. He finished with 189 yards on the ground but couldn’t find the type of long, momentum-swinging runs that he had produced for the Bulldogs (11-2) so often before.
“We wanted to send as many bodies as possible at him,” Harris said. “He is the real deal. Totally lived up to the hype. I don’t know how he didn’t tire out tonight.”
With the defense keeping Churchill off the board, Broadneck’s offense had plenty of time to patiently pick apart the Bulldogs. The Bruins led 17-0 at halftime, thanks to a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown from junior quarterback CJ Watkins.
“Feels like we’re getting better every week,” Watkins said. “Our preparation is way better than it was early in the season.”
The second half opened with a bizarre three-play sequence in which Churchill lost a fumble, Broadneck lost a fumble and then the Bulldogs lost another fumble. Once the Bruins recovered the latest fumble and recaptured momentum, they pushed their lead to 24-0 three plays later.
Avit scored Churchill’s lone touchdown with 50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. At that point, with the game in hand, any cheers from the home crowd were drowned out by a joyous refrain from the visiting sideline.
“We’re going to the ’chip!” Broadneck fans chanted. “We’re going to the ’chip!”