West Potomac looks to maintain defensive excellence in second round matchup with Madison

Da’Jon Bellfield, right, and West Potomac’s defense will look to slow down second-seeded Madison on Friday night in the second round of the 6A playoffs. (Courtesy of Lily Vita Photography)

West Potomac senior Da’Jon Bellfield earned 1st-team all-Patriot District honors this season as a linebacker. But it’s his big plays on special teams that have been about as remarkable as any around: Three blocked punts, including two that he scooped up and returned for touchdowns (a teammate scored on the other block).

Bellfield’s latest block helped West Potomac (9-2) beat T.C. Williams in the opening round of the 6A North playoffs last week, advancing the Wolverines to Friday’s 7:30 p.m. game at Madison.

“He’s got a nose for the ball,” West Potomac coach Jeremiah Ross said of Bellfield. “He’s [also] done a great job out there in the outside backer position.”

Bellfield’s block and TD return against T.C. Williams came in the second quarter, and put West Potomac up 13-0. The play helped ignite the Wolverines, who went on to shut out the Titans 26-0, avenging a loss to T.C. in October.

“It’s a confidence booster, it hypes the team” Bellfield said of his blocks. “It feels pretty good to bring something on special teams … that people usually sleep on.”

The T.C. win was West Potomac’s first shutout of the season. It advanced the Wolverines to the second round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated last season. This year’s team, however, is only four points away from being unbeaten, and despite being undersized, has used big hits and big plays on defense to stymie opponents.

“We just move fast, hit hard and don’t give up,” Bellfield said. “We take on the mentality of a wolverine. They don’t give up.”

This week West Potomac will face an unfamiliar opponent in Madison (10-1), a Liberty District team who advanced to the second round of the playoffs by way of a 26-8 win over Washington-Lee. The Warhawks are the second seed in the 6A playoffs, with their only loss of the season coming by eight points to fourth-seeded South Lakes.

Ross says Madison is a physical team on defense, and can move the ball on the ground or in the air on offense — not unlike his own squad.

“The first thing that comes across [on film] is they’re a very aggressive, very physical football team,” Ross said. “In some ways they’re similar to us. Very balanced … you can’t just take one thing away and think they’re done.”

All in the family

Da’Jon Bellfield’s twin brother, Da’Juan, also plays for West Potomac. He caught three touchdowns this year and earned 2nd team all-district honors as a wide receiver.

Da’Jon, left, and Da’Juan Bellfield.

Da’Jon Bellfield said the experience of leading West Potomac to their best season in years has been made more special because of the bond with his brother. The sons of West Potomac graduates, both Bellfields grew up playing for Gum Springs Youth Association and dreaming of playing for West Po. Now, Da’Jon Bellfield said, the twins relish the chance to watch each other excel on different sides of the ball while playing for the program they looked up to as kids.

“It’s actually really cool,” Da’Jon Bellfield said. “We’re achieving great things together, it’s amazing. My parents talk about it, people talk about how proud they are. It brings a smile to my face. It’s really special.”

The Bellfields also both play for West Potomac’s basketball team, which won the district last season. Ross credits basketball with helping them be more skilled football players, and said each has been vital to West Potomac’s football renaissance.

“Both of them have been awesome,” Ross said. “This year as seniors they’ve kind of matured and grown up. They’re leaders on our team.”

Notes

• West Potomac senior quarterback Mark Ellis will play Friday. He missed part of last week’s game with an injury.
• Madison and West Potomac have only one common opponent this season. The Wolverines beat Langley 41-12 in the first game of the year, while Madison beat Langley 33-14 on Sept. 23.