Thompson's 3TD's lead Bulldogs Past McLean
MCLEAN, VA - As they have the last three weeks, the Stone Bridge Bulldogs combined a dominating defense with a high-powered offense to subdue an opponent, this time downing the McLean Highlanders 38-0. Patrick Thompson had a big night, throwing three touchdowns, two to Jeron Gouveia.
The game opened in typical fashion with a Ronnie Shaban touchback, and the Highlanders were forced to punt three plays later. On the first play from scrimmage, Thompson found Gouveia streaking past the McLean defender down the right side, and hit him in stride for a 55-yard touchdown. Shaban's PAT made it 7-0 in a hurry.
McLean started on its own 30, and was eventually faced with fourth down and no more than a couple of inches to go. But the Bulldog defensive front line stuffed Greg Love for no gain and Stone Bridge took over with excellent field position. The opportunity was wasted, however, when Thompson was picked off two plays later at the Highlander 20.
Mclean took possession, but could not generate even positive yardage in three plays. The ensuing punt gave Stone Bridge the ball on the McLean 42. Two completions by Thompson and two nice runs by Kareem Alexander moved the ball to the 28, when Thompson found Ryan Moody for the Bulldogs' second TD. The extra point made it 14-0 Stone Bridge with 4:32 left in the first quarter.
On their next series, the Highlanders managed to record a first down when Love found Tarek Ammoury twice for short gains. The drive died quickly after that, however, and McLean gave up the ball to the Bulldogs on the Stone Bridge 31. The Bulldogs put together a ten play drive, but it too fell apart after reaching the McLean 31.
The Highlanders suffered another three-and-out and punted to the Bulldog 41, but interference with the punt returner on the fair catch brought the ball to the Highlander 44. Stone Bridge stayed on the ground this time, and scored once more when Alexander sprinted around the right side from 19 yards out.
The kickoff by Shaban was a line drive that ricocheted off the McLean front line player, and the Bulldogs' Ben Plamer jumped on it at the Stone Bridge 48. Eight plays later Thompson hit Gouveia on an 18-yard swing pass to make it 28-0 just before the half.
Stone Bridge started the second half with the ball, and the offense methodically marched down the field, covering 55 yards in ten rushes before Gouveia punched in from the two. Shaban's kick made it 35-0 and the starters were done for the night.
The Bulldogs defensive reserves took over from there and continued the domination of the Highlander offense. After three plays, Stone Bridge took over on the McLean 37. The Bulldogs drove to the Highlander 25, and from that point Shaban connected on a 42-yard field goal to finish the scoring.
Both teams traded punts, and ultimately McLean put together an extended drive, but it passed mid-field only briefly before the game ended.
For the Bulldogs, the night was a display of balanced offense (149 yards rushing, 185 yards passing) and solid defense (55 yards of offense for McLean, 33 in the last drive). Alexander led all rushers with 75 yards and a TD, while Moody was the top receiver with 90 yards and a TD. The Bulldogs move to 4-1, 2-0 in the district and next host South Lakes.
Prepared by, Dave and Suzy Barta
spbarta@aol.com
