Training Camp Tour Day 6: Stone Bridge
ASHBURN, VA- It was a long and strenuous day for the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, who began two-a-day practices amidst the dreadful August heat. Despite the heat, the Bulldogs opened what they hope will be another successful season. Last year the team won the Liberty District title for the second consecutive year. They finished their season 11-1, losing to the Edison Eagles in the Northern Region Division 5 Championship. Stone Bridge enters camp with several positions of interest to keep a close eye on. The Bulldogs lost 3 players to major college football a year ago, and the team's success in 2007 may hinge on how they fill the production lost with the graduation of Devon Brown (Wake Forest), Terence Glenn (Rhode Island), and Andrew Nuss (Notre Dame).
Who will fill the shoes of Glenn and Brown?
These two stars, both of whom went onto play college football, were the key to the high powered single wing attack the Bulldogs showcased last season. The speed of Brown will be hard to replace, but look for players like Daniel Allen and Kareem Alexander to be scoring several touchdowns this fall. Also look for the senior Ryan Moody to put up some solid numbers at receiver. As for replacing standout quarterback Terence Glenn, the decision as to who will replace the talented signal caller is still up in the air. Likely candidates for the job are junior Patrick Thompson and senior Mike Stancik. Stancik has some experience behind center after filling in for Glenn for a few plays last season, but both players are inexperienced and must prove they can run the football as well as they throw it.
What can we expect from two-time All Gameday player Jeron Gouvia?
Standout safety Jeron Gouveia is back to full health after tearing his MCL in the post season last year. The 2006 northern Region defensive player of the year knows he is going to be playing football at Virginia Tech, so he can now focus on his senior season with the Bulldogs. Last year Gouveia had 65 tackles and three interceptions. It won't be a surprise to see Gouveia on both sides of the ball after he scored six touchdowns last year running the football, but he will be most dominating on defense. Gouveia has gained weight in the off-season, and has been well conditioned all summer through speed and agility camps. With his athletic ability and toughness, Gouveia figures to be one of the best players in the state and once again should give Bulldog fans plenty of highlights throughout the year.
Will this be the year?
After a season that was cut shorter then everyone expected, the Bulldogs are ready to win a state championship. Size and depth will not be a problem, but overall team experience may become the obstacle. With tough non-district games against West Springfield, Robinson, and Loudoun Valley, the Bulldogs must get off to a good start to build momentum heading into the Liberty District. While many people expect the Bulldogs to take a step back, they could be mistaken. Thompson's Bulldogs traditionally play well when the odds are against them. It is very possible that the Bulldogs can make this season historic.
Key Games:
Stone Bridge travels to Robinson on September 7th for a colossal battle. The winner of this contest should emerge with tremendous confidence. In the final weeks of the season, Madison will travel to Stone Bridge for what could be the deciding game as to who wins the Liberty District. The Bulldogs have knocked the Warhawks out of the playoffs the past two seasons, so tensions will be high for this game.
Extra Point:
On August 17th, the Bulldogs will scrimmage the Broad Run Spartans. It will be the first time that Stone Bridge will compete against the Spartans in two years, even though the schools are less than 3 miles apart.
