When Old Mill High football’s team walked onto the field Friday night against rival Broadneck, the Patriots were determined to not allow history repeat itself. The Bruins beat Old Mill in the final game of the 2009 regular season.

Much was at stake Friday with the No. 2 seed in the Class 4A East Region and a home match next weekend on the line.

No. 5 Old Mill went to its running game and picked apart the fourth-ranked Bruins’ defense for a 31-7 victory. In winning their ninth straight since an opening loss to No. 2 Arundel, the Patriots (9-1 overall, 9-1 Anne Arundel) clinched a tie for the Anne Arundel County league title with the Wildcats, who were upset at Southern-Anne Arundel Friday evening.

The Patriots’ two-headed running back tandem of Demond Brown and Robert Chesson was again unstoppable. Brown rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns with Chesson adding 143 and a score.

Opting to defer after winning the coin toss, the defending Class 4A state champs built a 24-7 halftime lead as its defense helped set the table for Brown and Chesson. Patriots coach Damian Ferragamo said it was the first time this season they declined to start on offense.

“We didn’t want them to throw their defense out there and to get the momentum, they are an extremely good defense,” said Ferragamo. “I was surprised by the way we ran the ball on them.”

The strategy worked, as the Patriots’ defense clamped down on the Bruins’ first drive, forcing Broadneck (8-2, 8-2 Anne Arundel) to punt.  On their second offensive play, Brown ran straight into the trenches, then cut to his left and he was off for a 71-yard touchdown.

With the help of a 36-yard pass from quarterback Deonte Sheilds to Deion Briggs, Old Mill scored on its next drive as Brown scampered into the end zone from 6 yards out to go up 14-0 in the first quarter. Brown had rushed for 84 yards with two touchdowns.

The Bruins got on the board with on a James Mullis touchdown run, set up by a 57-yard run by running back Grant Harris. The Patriots continue battering Broadneck’s defense as a field goal by Sears and Chesson’s lone score extended the lead to 24-7 at intermission.

“They [Broadneck] have an incredible defense,” said Chesson, “we practiced hard all week going against different formations, we knew they were coming strong so we hit them hard and with quickness, we went one cut and go, and it worked for us.”

It was more of the same in the second half with Brown and Chesson, chipping away yardage down the field and eating the clock. With time running down in the third quarter, Chesson was able to break through a seam for a 25-yard gain, and Brown punched it in.

“The 1-2 combo makes it really comfortable for him and me because we know we have that support,” said Brown. “If one of us isn’t executing the other one will step in there and help out, there is no slack off between Rob and me.”

After allowing 44 points in its first nine decisions, Broadneck’s stout defense didn’t have any answers Friday.

“They were definitely the better team, and played likea state championship team tonight,” said a frustrated Bruins coach Jeff Herrick. “We have to move on and get ready to play next week.

The Patriots will likely host North Point from southern Maryland in next weekend’s opening round of the region playoffs.

It’s no secret what the Patriots plan to do to defend their state crown.

“We’re going to prepare and we are going to run the football,” said Ferragamo.

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