Gouveia, Barber To Take Center Stage Friday...
ASHBURN, VA - As the 2007 Northern Region Championship roles around, a rematch will occur between two of the state's finest...The Stone Bridge Bulldogs and the Edison Eagles. Last year, Edison came out on top in a 31-17 upset win over the Bulldogs. However, this season is different. The region final will feature a head to head battle between Virginia Tech recruits Ben Barber (Edison) and Jeron Gouveia (Stone Bridge). Last season, Barber started at wide receiver for the Eagles, and helped tear apart the Bulldog secondary with 9 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. Starting safety, Gouveia was forced to watch from the sideline with a season ending injury as his team struggled against the Eagle's fierce passing game.
This season, Gouveia has emerged as a leader for the Bulldogs, both offensively and defensively. He has been clutch in every position that they have needed him to be. While he primarily plays safety, Gouveia has also seen time at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, as well as all defensive backfield positions. At quarterback, Gouveia has completed 3 of 4 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. He has also been a dominating factor in the Stone Bridge running game, behind Kareem Alexander, with 68 rushes for 673 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gouveia has been equally impressive in the passing game, with 16 catches for 438 yards and 5 touchdowns. He recently made school history, last week in the region semi final win against Marshal, with a school record setting 99 yard touchdown reception.
While Gouveia's offensive numbers are impressive he has probably been better known for his ability on defense for the Bulldogs. This season, he has 47 tackles, 12 assists, and 4 interceptions. 2 of which were game changers in the come from behind victory at West Springfield, in the first week of the season. Gouveia will truly be a key threat for the Eagles on both sides of the football.
Edison will counter with a fierce passing attack with Ben Barber, who currently alternates between quarterback and running back, for the Eagles. This season, Barber has completed 64 of 128 passes for 1215 yards and 14 touchdowns. Barber has relied on two key receivers, Drew Baldwin and Corey Washington. Baldwin leads the team with 400 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. While Washington leads the Eagles with 7 touchdowns on 16 catches and 389 yards. Barber has also been, without a doubt, the Eagles best weapon on the ground, as well. He has rushed for a team leading 941 yards and 18 touchdowns.
There is no doubt that these two guys will need to have stellar games in order for their team to come away with the win. If the Eagles are able to take Gouveia out of the game, then the Bulldogs will need a huge passing game from Patrick Thompson and wide receivers Ryan Moody and Matt Irwin. They will also need a dominating running game from Kareem Alexander.
If the Bulldogs can shut down Barber then, the Eagles will have to rely heavily on the ground game. Akeen Perry (98 carries for 839 yards, 8 touchdowns) and Kevin Carter (85 carries for 706 yards and 11 touchdowns) have been a superb running back combination for Edison.
This game is expected to be very close, but it may come down to a huge play by either Jeron Gouveia or Ben Barber to see which team moves one step closer to the state championship game.
See Also: The Chess Match Within the Championship
