Irwin's 2TD's Pace Bulldogs To Region Title Win
ASHBURN, VA - For the third straight year, the Stone Bridge Bulldogs clashed with the Edison Eagles for the Northern Region Championship on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Avenging a heartbreaking loss in last year's game, the Bulldogs turned Black Friday into a day of celebration once again as they defeated the Eagles 27-14.
The game was billed in many circles as Edison quarterback Ben Barber versus the many weapons of Stone Bridge led by Liberty District player of the year Jeron Gouveia. As it has many times this year, the Bulldogs defense turned out to be the dominate factor.
Edison opened the contest on its own ten after bobbling the kick-off, and a 15-yard run by Barber gave the Eagles breathing room to the 26. Four plays later, Barber ran a sweep to the left and was nearing the sideline when he was stripped and Mike Olson jumped on the ball for the Bulldogs.
A thirteen-yard run by Gouveia, and a nine-yard pass from Patrick Thompson to Ryan Moody moved the Bulldogs quickly to the Eagle 19. Four plays later, on third and ten, Matt Irwin slipped behind the coverage in the left corner and Thompson found him for the game's first score. Ronnie Shaban's PAT kick made it 7-0 Stone Bridge.
On its next series, Edison found no success against the Bulldog defense and went three-and-out. The punt by the Eagles caught a favorable bounce and ran all the way to the Stone Bridge two, where Irwin picked it up and fought to the ten. On first-and-ten at the 22, Thompson was forced from the pocket and rolled right. Throwing under pressure, the pass was tipped from Thompson's hand and gathered in by the Eagles' Kevin Carter who raced untouched twenty yards for the touchdown. The extra point was good, and Edison had new life.
A fine kick-off return by Moody put Stone Bridge on the Bulldog 47 to begin the next drive. The Bulldogs used a variety of players to work the ball to the Eagle nine, including carries by Kareem Alexander, Mike Stancik and Gouveia, as well as passes to Moody and Dan Elliott. The drive stalled there, however, and Shaban connected on a 26-yard field goal to give Stone Bridge the lead 10-7.
After a touchback, Edison began at the twenty and needed only six plays to push to the Stone Bridge 30. But the Bulldog defense rose up again, and on fourth-and-five, Barber's pass fell incomplete to end the threat. Two plays into the Bulldog drive, Thompson threw down the right sideline, where Gouveia made a leaping catch between two defenders for a 32-yard gain. Another pass to Irwin on the left side took the ball to the Eagle 17. On second-an-eight, Thompson hit Irwin in the right flat, and Irwin wheeled past everyone to the corner for the score. Shaban's second PAT put Stone Bridge in front 17-7.
On the ensuing kick-off, Edison's Drew Baldwin was racked hard, losing the ball, and Stone Bridge's Brian Burnett came up with the recovery. The Bulldogs stayed on the ground, pounding away with Alexander and Gouveia, and reached the Eagle two, but were unable to punch in for the TD before running the clock down to four seconds. Shaban drilled the field goal from eighteen yards, and Stone Bridge led at the half 20-7.
Stone Bridge was set to receive the second half kick-off, but miscommunication between receivers left the kick to drop, and the Eagles pounced on the free ball at the Bulldog 24. The Stone Bridge defense came up huge again, however, and stuffed the Edison runners for losses on the first two plays. Faced with third-and-17, Barber completed two passes, but the second was three yards short. The Eagles turned the ball over on downs, wasting a big opportunity to climb back into the game.
Stone Bridge went conservative, staying on the ground and quickly went three-and-out, punting to the Edison 44. On the second play from scrimmage, Barber completed a 12-yard pass to Corey Washington, but a roughing the passer penalty advanced the ball all the way to the Stone Bridge 28. Another twelve-yard strike to Washington was followed by a holding call on the Eagles, and two rushes by Barber set the ball at the Bulldog 16. From there, Edison threw a switch at Stone Bridge, with Barber splitting to the right as a wide receiver, and Branden Suggs at quarterback. The move worked, as all eyes were on Barber while Washington slipped behind the secondary to the left and pulled in a 16-yard touchdown pass. The PAT kick pulled Edison within striking distance, 20-14.
After the kick, Stone Bridge started on its own 26, and was faced with fourth-and-one at the 35 when Alexander slammed ahead for two yards. Thompson rambled around the right end for twelve on the next play, but a late hit by Edison gave the Bulldogs excellent position at the Eagle 36. On first down, Thompson stepped back and lofted a pass to the left corner of the end-zone. Moody made a highlight catch, leaping over the defender and pulling the ball away for the touchdown. Another kick by Shaban put the Bulldogs ahead to stay 27-14.
The teams traded three-and-outs, eventually leaving Edison to start on its own 28. Riding Barber's arm and legs, the Eagles used ten plays to advance to the Stone Bridge 41. But on third down, Bulldog stepped in front of Barber's pass across the middle and returned the ball to the Eagle 45, giving Stone Bridge a chance to ice the game.
The Bulldogs then gave Edison a big dose of power running courtesy Alexander. Carrying the ball seven times, the stout running back ground the ball to the Eagle 31, eating up four minutes and two Edison time outs in the process. Stone Bridge turned the ball over on downs with 3:38 left in the game.
Barber was forced to the air, but the Stone Bridge defense was ready and waiting. On fourth-and-eight at the Bulldog 40, Barber's pass fell incomplete, and Bulldogs had only to run out the remaining 2:43.
In the end, Stone Bridge took advantage of Edison turnovers and held the Eagle offense well below its averages for yards and scoring. On offense, the Bulldogs got contributions from many players, took points when they had the opportunity and used their many weapons to keep the Eagles guessing.
The Bulldogs improve their record to 12-1, matching the school record for wins in a season, and capture their fourth region championship. They advance to the state semi-finals for the fourth year in the school's short eight-year history.
Prepared by, Dave and Suzy Barta
spbarta@aol.com
