Welcome to the Thursday Throwdown. As you may be well familiar with this blog, you probably know that in this space every week Brooks and I debate about a number of different things. We'll do so again today, taking a look at who we feel will be key players from the Loudoun County-Broad Run match-up in detail and also picking other key players from around the Loudoun County playoffs in liner-format.

To be clear, all of these players will likely have a big role in their games. And to be more clear, Brooks and I do this for the sake of argument alone. Why so much on LC-BR and so little elsewhere? well, it's our Game of the Week and we'll be spreading the love a bit more tomorrow in the Breakdown. So we figured we'd give the appropriate spotlight here in Throwdown. Okay?

Ready? Set. Throwdown.

BROAD RUN

Paul, I've got a question for you. Who's the only player in Loudoun to have rushed for a touchdown in every game he's played this season? Here's your hint: His name starts with two initials and ends with "eeler." That's right, junior running back T.J. Peeler and his ridiculous 12.4 yards per carry is your guy. He's cracked 128 yards in two of his last three games including a 243-yard, 4-TD explosion against County three weeks ago. If he runs wild again, this game turns into a rout. - MB

It's true, T.J. has been running wild, especially in the last month or so. And his success is certainly critical to Broad Run. But you have to believe the key player for the Spartans in their playoff opener will be Dulles District (Unanimous) Defensive Player of the Year, Kenny McAdow. McAdow is a fierce competitor and the heart and soul of the best defense in the district and he'll be guiding a unit that will look to shut down County's Andrew Walczak, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games and four of his past five. If the Raiders can't run the ball effectively, that could spell big trouble. - PT

I'll tell you what spells trouble: T-R-O-U-B-L-E. And you know what I found in there? A 'T' and a backwards 'J'...sort off...if you straighten out the bottom. Anyway, the point is no one has had an answer to Peeler this season. The only thing that prevented him from running away with the district rushing title was an elbow injury. I watched him break off a 56-yard touchdown run on Broad Run's first offensive play last Friday against Park View, a play that immediately changed the way the Patriots played the rest of the game. That's the kind of impact he has. He's a playmaker and a game-changer and if the Raiders load up the box to stop him, it only opens up the throwing lanes for First Team All-District QB Chris Jessop, and you saw what he did in that situation last week. - MB

You may find a T and...an L... in 'trouble', but I see a B - R - E and O in there as well. Add an 'N' and you have the Dulles District Offensive Player of the Year, Breon Earl. He will play just as crucial a role on offense as Peeler, providing the quick outside burst and game-breaking ability. McAdow has a solid defensive line in front of him and capable players around him, but his energy and leadership and what makes the defense work. McAdow's ability to fill the gaps and slow any running game means Loudoun County will be forced to air it out. They did so last time they faced County, throwing 35 times in a 37-17 loss and I think Broad Run would take that result again. - PT

LOUDOUN COUNTY

As much as I argued Kenny McAdow above, I only have to look at the reverse of said argument to come up with a key player -- or in this case players -- for the Raiders. Andrew Walczak has been a beast, as I've said, but the guys in front of him have been playing very well. Loudoun County's offensive line will be the vital unit as the Raiders look to pull off what would be the biggest upset of the season, and they must be able to generate a push against the Spartans strong defensive front. The Raiders have been using Mike Howard and tight end Chase Williams to get out and block the second level, but if County's O-line doesnt get hat on hat and win the battle in the trenches those two will be meeting linebackers and linemen in the backfield and that running game is blown up. - PT

You mentioned above that the last place the Raiders dont want to find themselves chucking the ball 35 times in this game. That said - and while this position clearly depends on protection from that offensive line you're touting - County has no chance in this game if they can't make a few big plays through the air. That's where Joe Bushrod comes in. The senior QB has been a little up and down this year but this is the game where he needs to have that career performance all high school athletes dream of. I'm not saying he needs to throw for 200 yards and four scores - although that would certainly help his team's cause - but he has to find a way to hook up with Williams and Mike Ayoub and use his mobility in the pocket to wear out the Spartans' defense. He was only 2-of-7 for 31 yards in the win at Heritage, but he made one of those two passes count, connecting with Ayoub for a key touchdown. The Raiders will need much more of that to have a chance on Friday. - MB

Bushrod certainly will be a vital part of the gameplan as he will be asked to do what he has been doing the past three weeks: manage the game. But regardless of whether or not Bushrod is looking to throw the ball more often, he'll be at the mercy of his offensive line in doing so. The Spartans bring a ruthless pass rush when a team is dropping back to throw, often going man-up with Chris Jessop single covering the opposition's top receiver on the outside and thus freeing up more blitzers. If the big guys up front cant buy time for Bushrod, and most importantly can't open up the holes for Walczak and Howard, Loudoun County will be in big trouble. - PT

Yes, the offensive line has to give the running game some room with which to work, but Bushrod is still the key offensively. Last week Park View put up the most points the Spartans have surrendered all season in a 39-26 losing effort. And they got on the board with the passing game. It wasn't the deep ball that got them on the board either, it was short screens or crossing routes with the speedy Josh Jones that hurt Broad Run. We know the Spartans defensive line can bring pressure, so Bushrod needs to get rid of the ball quickly and find Ayoub and Williams in the flats or over the middle. Once the ball is out of the backfield, the Raiders have a much better chance to make plays. It sounds simple and it is, but if Bushrod can't get the ball to those guys and evade the pressure with his feet, it's going to be a long night for the boys in yellow and blue. - MB

OTHER KEY PLAYERS AROUND THE AREA

Potomac Falls vs. James Wood

Tenorio's Pick: QB Gregory Woodlief- The senior quarterback has to be a playmaker for the Panthers, providing the big play through the air as he has done all season as well as making plays at defensive back.

Brooks' Pick: RB Michael Baker - The engine that makes the Panthers go: the senior averaged 150 yards per game in their nine wins. He is without a doubt the key to this offense.

Briar Woods at Monticello

Tenorio's Pick: RB Ray Taliaferro- The senior running back provides the majority of offense for the Falcons, and if he can put up another 200-plus yard performance on the ground Briar Woods could pull off the upset.

Brooks' Pick: QB Edwin Mends - The freshman was put into a tight spot with three weeks to go in the season and responded big - posting his best game yet in a 194-yard, 4-TD record setting win at Freedom. He needs to avoid mistakes and make a few plays with his arm for the Falcons to upset Monticello.

Stone Bridge vs. Mount Vernon

Tenorio's Pick: LB Mike Olson- Olson's athleticism will be vital once again in shutting down an option offense. He played a big part in doing so against Woodson, and with Travis Hannam out, he'll have even more responsibility against the Majors.

Brooks' Pick: WR Michael Prince - With 19 TDs (on only 50 touches!) in 11 games, Prince is a scoring machine. With their QB still not 100 percent, the Bulldogs need this senior playmaker to continue his incredible season on Friday night.