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SportsLake Braddock’s Edwards Makes First Start at QBBruins defeat WestPotomac in seasonopener.By Jon RoetmanLake Braddock junior Kyle Edwards made his first start at quarterback against West Potomac on Aug. 29.Lake Braddockrunning backDejoun Leerushed for 147yards and twotouchdownsagainst WestPotomac onAug. 29.Photos byCraig Sterbutzel/The ConnectionThe ConnectionKyle Edwards started 13 games atsafety and outside linebackerduring his sophomore year, butthe experience failed to fully preparehim for Aug. 29.After an offseason of hype and questions,Edwards made his first start at quarterbackfor the Lake Braddock football team. Hereplaced All-American Caleb Henderson,now a freshman with the University ofNorth Carolina Tar Heels. Facing WestPotomac on the Bruins’ home field, Edwardsassumed his role as field general for a LakeBraddock program that has won five consecutivedistrict championships.“I started 13 games last year but not atthe position I’m playing right now,” Edwardssaid following Friday’s season opener. “Definitely,that first quarter, throwing the ballwas kind of awkward. … Playing 13 gameson the defensive side of the ball, that’s awhole different mindset. I was definitelyprepared for the speed and the physicality,but I had to get used to throwing in front of2,000 people.”Edwards struggled at times, but the juniordid enough to lead Lake Braddock to a30-6 victory over Conference 7 foe WestPotomac. Edwards had a rough night in thepassing game, completing just 8 of 19 attemptsfor 104 yards, but had multiplethrows dropped by receivers. Edwards alsolost a pair of fumbles.On the positive side, No. 12 rushed 15times for 109 yards and two touchdowns.His 32-yard scoring scamper early in thefourth quarter gave Lake Braddock a 24-0lead.“I thought the quarterback did well [forhis] first time out,” Lake Braddock headcoach Jim Poythress said. “We dropped alot of balls.”What has Poythress told Edwards aboutreplacing Henderson?“Be himself, that’s it,” the coach said. “Really,what else can you say? We’ve producedquite a few quarterbacks and we expect himjust to maintain the status quo and get itmoving. … I thought he ran the ball well,he was effective on most of the passes. Howmany were dropped?”After the game, Edwards discussed howhe’s handled the repetitive questions aboutreplacing Henderson, who led LakeBraddock to a 21-3 record over two seasonsand helped the Bruins reach the 20136A North region semifinals.“As many times as I’ve been asked aboutit, it doesn’t cross my mind when I’m outon the field,” said Edwards, who is listed at6 feet 2, 210 pounds. “We’re trying to dosomething ourselves. I was part of a teamlast year, we were 12-1, and now we haveto start from scratch. … People ask me questions,but I’m not really thinking about it,honestly.” Edwards won’t have to carry theoffensive load by himself. Against WestPotomac, senior running back Dejoun Leerushed 16 times for 147 yards and twotouchdowns. His 60-yard touchdown rungave the Bruins a 30-0 advantage with 6:20remaining in the fourth quarter.“[West Potomac was] running after himall night,” Poythress said. “… When he getsloose, he’s a problem for people.”Lee has faith Edwards can perform at ahigh level.“We can’t live in the past,” Lee said. “Wehad a great quarterback, we’re going todevelop a just-as-good quarterback, hopefully,for Kyle’s sake. I think he can be thatgood, and I think he will be that good.”Senior receiver/defensive back AJAlexander, listed at 6 feet 4, 225 pounds, isa Division I recruit. On Friday, he caughttwo passes for 54 yards and finished witheight tackles and a pass break-up.What has it been like transitioning to anew quarterback?“It’s different. It’s not better, it’s not worse,it’s just different,” Alexander said. “You’vegot to work on your timing. [It was] twoyears … with Caleb Henderson, getting thesame kind of ball every time, as opposed toBurke Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman703-752-4031 or jroetman@connectionnewspapers.comhaving someone come in and throw you aball differently.”Lake Braddock’s next challenge is a homegame against Stone Bridge at 7:30 p.m. onFriday, Sept. 5. Edwards figures to get morecomfortable in his prominent position as theseason progresses. Maybe he’ll even havefewer questions to answer about replacingCaleb Henderson.“Caleb Henderson is a heck of a playerand his legacy deserves to be asked aboutand I hope he does well at UNC,” Alexandersaid. “But it’s on to a new chapter now forhim and Lake Braddock football with KyleEdwards as our new quarterback.”14 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ September 4-10, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com