By Suzy and Dave Barta
Special to LoudounPrepSports.com
Photos and Videos by Alysia Deem
LoudounPrepSports.com
Ashburn (Oct. 7, 2008) – The Stone Bridge Bulldogs opened up defense of their Northern Region title with a 58-7 drumming of Thomas Jefferson in a first round playoff game Friday night, but the win was less than pretty at times. While holding the Colonials to minus 89 yards rushing, the Bulldogs were whistled for ten penalties and were bothered by the injury bug for the third straight week.
As they have all year, the Bulldogs racked up impressive numbers on offense while absolutely stuffing the opponent on defense. Marcus Harris led all rushers with 105 yards and two touchdowns and John Bladel had a big night subbing for the injured Patrick Thompson, throwing for 188 yards and two scores.
Aside from the final series of the game, Jefferson failed to put together a serious drive all night. Things did not start well for the Colonials as the snap on fourth down sailed over punter Evan Burch’s head. Burch attempted to run out of trouble but was smothered by the Bulldogs at the two and fumbled into the end zone where it was covered by another Colonial for the safety.
On the ensuing free kick, Dare Ewetusa broke free and raced 60 yards for a touchdown, putting Stone Bridge up 9-0 with less than two minutes gone in the game. Jefferson went three and out in its next series, eventually punting to the Stone Bridge 28. The Bulldogs moved to the Colonial 39 when Bladel found Michael Prince for the TD. Abdul Shaban added his second PAT to put Stone Bridge ahead 16-0.
Jefferson went nowhere on its next possession, and Stone Bridge started at the Colonial 45. It took only three plays before Allen cut through the line for 38 yards and another Bulldog touchdown, and at the end of the first quarter Stone Bridge led 23-0.
The Colonials put up another three and out and punted to the Bulldog 26. Frustrated by a holding penalty and a personal foul call, Stone Bridge attempted to go for the first down on fourth and 28 from its own eight, but Bladel’s pass fell incomplete. The Bulldog defense was up to the task, however, and Zach Miller led the stand when he intercepted Ben Daily’s pass in the end zone and returned it to the 11. Stone Bridge was backed up the 2, though, when whistled for a block in the back during the return.
Stone Bridge then began a long march down the field, highlighted by three straight Bladel completions of 34 yards to Andrew Ansell, 34 yards to Zach Thompson and 13 yards to Nick Sheehan. Bladel capped it off by hitting Thompson from the twelve for the touchdown and a 30-0 Bulldog lead.
After the half, Stone Bridge went back to the ground game and worked to the Colonial 29, but a fourth down pass fell incomplete to **** the drive. Jefferson quarterback Daily was picked off once more, this time by Sheehan who nearly tight-rope the sidelines for the score, but was called out on the ten. On third down, Harris took the snap and simply outran everyone to the corner of the end zone. Shaban’s extra point put the Bulldogs up 37-0.
Nothing changed for Jefferson, as Daily threw three straight incompletions, but a fine punt by Burch backed the Bulldogs up to their own 25. From there Harris struck again when he burst out of the line and sped past everyone for his second TD.
Yet another three and out for the Colonials gave Stone Bridge the ball on the Bulldog 25 and this time the reserves got into the act. Ben Branower and Ryan Loudermilk carried the load, pushing the ball to Jefferson’s 21. On second and 12, Loudermilk weaved through the line, finally leaping over a defender and racing 21 yards for the touchdown. Shaban added another kick to put Stone Bridge ahead 51-0.
The two teams traded possessions before Jefferson finally found some success through the air. Daily completed five of six passes, the last being a 12 yard toss to Mike Howard in the back of the end zone, and Jefferson was on the board 51-7 with 0:43 left in the game.
The Colonials decided to push their luck, attempting an onside kick, but the ball was scooped up by Kevin Libuit who galloped 50 yards for the game’s final score and a 58-7 Bulldog victory.
Stone Bridge tallied 486 yards of total offense while Jefferson netted 60. Without the 74 yard scoring drive at the end of the game, the Colonials would have ended up in the red.
The Bulldogs move on to the region semifinals to face 9-2 Mt. Vernon, the #2 seed from the National district.
Scoring Summary– | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Final |
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BULLDOGS : | 23 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 58 |
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Colonials : | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
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Team | Period | Scoring Play | Conversion |
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B | 1 | SAFETY |
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B | 1 | Dare Ewetusa (2), 60 yards kickoff return | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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B | 1 | John Bladel (15) pass to Michael Prince (5), 39 yards | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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B | 1 | Daniel Allen (20), 38 yard run | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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B | 2 | John Bladel (15) pass to Zach Thompson (99), 12 yards | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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B | 3 | Marcus Harris (21), 10 yard run | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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B | 3 | Marcus Harris (21), 70 yard run | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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B | 4 | Ryan Lowdermilk (4), 21 yard run | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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4 | Ben Dally (11) pass to Mike Howard (21), 12 yards | Evan Burch (24) kick good |
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B | 4 | Kevin Libuit (35), 50 yards kickoff return | Abdul Shaban (45) kick good |
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BULLDOGS | | Colonials |
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11 | First Downs | 6 |
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486 | Total Offense (Yards) | 60 |
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40-283 (7.08) | Rushing – Yards | 16–89 (-5.56) |
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10-203 (20.30) | Passing – Yards | 13-149 (11.46) You need to log in to vote. If you already had an account, you may log in here Alternatively, if you do not have an account yet you can create one here. | |||||||||||
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