Moody Wants One More Chance At A Title.....
If you have been lucky enough to play in a state championship game, you may agree with the statement that it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. For Stone Bridge's Ryan Moody, he is hoping it is a twice in a lifetime opportunity. As just a sophomore, Moody played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs' run to the state championship game against Hampton. Late in the season, he became a favorite target of former All Gameday quarterback Terence Glenn. Stone Bridge wasn't supposed to beat the highly touted Hampton Crabbers, led by current Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor. But Stone Bridge actually dominated the game except for some costly fumbles. One of those fumbles happened with the game coming to a close when Moody caught a Terence Glenn pass and leaped toward the end zone. As he put the ball out to attempt to cross the goal line, a Hampton defender knocked it loose. In a matter of seconds, the game was over, the season was over, and the championship was Hampton's.
While the loss was clearly a result of several missed opportunities that day by the entire team, nobody took the defeat harder than Moody. It is a memory that still haunts him today, and it's been his overriding motivation in every practice, every workout session, and every game. Like many athletes who taste the championship game but come up short, all Moody wants is another chance.
"With great coaching and a great offense and defense, everything can come together for us," Moody said. "Getting to the title game was an interesting experience and I wish it would have gone a little differently."
This season, Moody is doing his best to get his team back to that championship game. Moody led all Stone Bridge receivers in the regular season with 15 touchdowns. His 15.9 yards per catch and clutch play helped the Bulldogs capture their 3rd consecutive Liberty District Championship.
One of the attributes that makes Moody one of the best in the region is that he shows up in big games. Against Madison in week eight, Moody lit up the Warhawks with two touchdown catches, and helped Stone Bridge to a 27-7 win.
Head coach Mickey Thompson has watched Moody grow up in the Stone Bridge program the past few years, and he has a high opinion of his most sure handed receiver. But what impresses the old ball coach more than anything is Moody's leadership.
"He's a team guy first, and of course he wants to catch the ball, but if we need to win a game, he'll get in there and block all day long too," Thompson said.
With the playoffs in full swing and the regional championship game looming ahead with Edison, the Bulldogs are right where they want to be. Stone Bridge will host the state playoffs until the semi finals if they win against the Eagles on Friday.
"We just have to come out and be prepared, and that's all we can ask for," said Moody.
With his continued stellar play in 2007, Moody is receiving interest from several schools, but he is yet to make a decision as to where he will head next fall for college. His goal is to play football at the next level, and Thompson believes that will happen.
"Ryan is really starting to grab interest from the college programs. When it is all said and done, I think we will see him land something in the coming months," Thompson said.
Being a Stone Bridge receiver didn't use to be much of a fun thing, considering the Bulldogs rarely threw the ball back when the school first opened. But in recent years, Thompson has evolved his single wing attack to feature players like Moody and fellow receiver Matt Irwin.
Whether Stone Bridge can make it back to the state championship game remains to be seen, but their chances are as good as anyone's with players like Ryan Moody on the football field. As for that second chance, Moody is determined to be ready if he is to receive it.
"We need to get Coach Thompson his first ring and that is what we are pushing for."
