By Jeffery Gibert
West Potomac High School Senior/ DigitalSports Intern
**Videos added. click VIDEOS on the top left!!!
The Edison Eagles moved one step closer to completing a perfect season Friday night with a big shutout win over the visiting Washington-Lee Generals, 51-0. It was Homecoming for the Eagles and they put on quite the show.
Now, only a date with Chantilly stands between the Eagles and their first 10-0 regular-season in school history.
“Nine-and-0,” Edison junior Christian Washington said. “Let’s go!”
Edison got started in a hurry against Washington-Lee, scoring on its second play from scrimmage on a 22-yard run by junior quarterback Levi Barber, who finished the game with 68 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Barber also completed 4-of-6 passes for 86 yards and another score.
That was just the beginning of the end for the Generals, who gave up quick touchdowns on drives that lasted four plays or less an astonishing four times.
“It feels good to get that first rushing touchdown of the year, man,” Barber said about the games’ first points. “I was running the ball and I went into the end zone and, just, it felt good to get that first TD.”
Edison running backs Angus Harper, a junior, and Stephon Robertson, a senior, had huge first halves on the ground, too. Harper got most of the big yardage — 92 yards on just six carries — while Robertson totaled 52 yards reached the end zone three times (and again a fourth time in the second half) on just seven carries.
“Basically, I just, I watch Stephon. I really look up to this guy,” Harper said. “Running behind this guy is a pleasure. I love running behind him. [With] these receivers blocking; Levi giving me the ball … I’m gone.”
Robertson also unselfishly praised Edison’s offensive line, which is led by Penn State-bound senior Frank Figueroa, adding: “We came and we just did well. And a shout-out to the O-Linemen.”
The linemen had their best game earlier this season when the Eagles rushed for more than 500 yards in a win over Wakefield.
“Well, basically we have a lot of athletes on the team and it’s kind of tough to keep motivated week-in, week-out,” Edison senior center Mehdi Charfi said. “We gotta make sure we give 100 percent each play because it’s gonna matter later in the season.”
Washington-Lee did well rushing the ball, too. The Generals were led by senior tailback Charlie Fuller, although the Generals best play in the first half came on a kickoff return. But just when it looked like Washington-Lee was going to take it to the house, Edison kicker Danny Arnez took the return man down with a big hit.
At half time, the Homecoming King and Queen were announced. Edison players Scott Holder, Dimincio Tucker and Devontae Baskin were nominated for King, but the 2008 Edison Homecoming King and Queen were Isaac Barnett and Lisa Kindred.
To start the second half off, Edison showed great sportsmanship by kicking to the Generals to start the half. The Eagles had also kicked off to start the first half. Unfortunately for the Generals, they still couldn’t manage to put any points on the board.
Edison athlete Corey Washington also had a nice game. After missing last week’s game, he felt he had to come out extra sharp. His night was highlighted by a 69-yard run for a touchdown while playing quarterback.
“You know I didn’t play last week, so I had to make up for what I missed,” Washington said.
Next week will be a highly anticipated match-up. The Eagles will have to be on their ‘A’ game if they plan on finishing the regular season undefeated and secure home-field advantage throughout the Northern Region playoffs.
Last year, Chantilly came up to Alexandria and beat the Eagles on their
home field, so Edison is looking for a little revenge this week.
“I mean, everybody did their thing,” Edison senior Donnell Epps said after the game. “That’s what happens when everybody [their does] thing. We comin’ for Chantilly. We comin’ for Chantilly, baby.”
