Built Tough: Bulldog O-Line Is Key To Title
ASHBURN, VA - Local football fans who are old enough to remember the glory days of the Washington Redskins know well the benefits of a dominant offensive line. While the offensive line of the Stone Bridge Bulldogs has not incited awkward cross dressing in the student section, they may very well enjoy the same type of success delivered by "The Hogs".
Stone Bridge has not lost a game since September 7th, against Division 6 Robinson. Nearly three months to the day, they will play for a state title thanks in large part to a diverse running attack, featuring the powerful Kareem Alexander, the speedy Daniel Allen, and the all around athleticism of Jeron Gouveia, and the ability to spread their offense to big play receivers Matt Irwin and Ryan Moody. Much of this success can be attributed to the most blue collar of football players, the big men up front who open holes and give the time needed for big plays to develop.
They have been lauded with all-district selections and recognized for allowing Patrick Thompson to mature as a quarterback and the running game to dominate as they always have. However, when the odds were longest against the Bulldogs, when they found themselves down by ten with no momentum against the defending Division 5 state champion Phoebus Phantoms, the offensive line did their best work of the season. First team All Liberty district selections Drew Guyer, David Wang, and Chris Simei, along with honorable mention selection Danny Parrotte and the combination of Dexter Strong and Mike Webber, have formed a formidable force to be reckoned with all season long.
They received some aid from defensive linemen Zach Thompson, Brian Slay, and Dan Lee, and the combination completely took over the tempo of the game, allowing the Bulldog running attack to find the end zone and lead the way to Charlottesville with a gutty 38-24 victory. In the moments following the game, Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson wasted no time in praising his line that was short on experience coming into the 2007 campaign, but came up huge when he and the Bulldogs needed them most. "The game was won up front," Thompson said. "That's where the credit goes...those are the heroes of this game."
They have battled their share of injuries this season. First team All Liberty District center Drew Guyer had missed time. Playing center in the single wing offense is no easy task, with directional snaps being added to the usual duties of a center. With Guyer out, in stepped Andrew Lieu and the offense didn't miss a beat. David Wang, a captain and stand out junior linemen, was hurt on the second play of this Saturday's State Semifinal match-up. The Virginia Tech bound tackle played through the pain and now will play for the first state title in the brief but decorated history of Stone Bridge football.
They will have their hands full once again on Saturday as they face off against a Potomac Panthers defense that has allowed 7 or fewer points six times this season, including two shutouts. The Panthers however, will encounter an offense that is averaging 40 points a game and a powerful offensive line that paved the way for two 600 yard rushers during the regular season and 38 rushing touchdowns. If the state title makes its way to Ashburn, it will be the biggest of the Bulldogs up front clearing the way.
