Bulldogs Advance To Championship Game 38-24
ASHBURN, VA - Redemption is a beautiful thing. Not to mention a powerful offensive line. Late in the first half, Stone Bridge senior Jeron Gouveia muffed a punt that eventually turned into a Phoebus touchdown and a 21-14 Phantom halftime lead. Lesser players dwell on mistakes. Gouveia saddled up and in the second half led the Bulldogs on to a 38-24 victory over the previously undefeated and defending Division 5 state champions in what must be described as the biggest win to date in Stone Bridge football.
Facing a program steeped in success and riding high, the Bulldogs matched the number-one-ranked Phantoms punch for punch. By the fourth quarter, Stone Bridge was virtually daring Phoebus to stop the run. Pounding away play after play, Gouveia and fellow senior Kareem Alexander moved behind an offensive line that was simply trampling the opponent by game's end.
Phoebus opened the game with the ball, and on the first play gave Stone Bridge much to think about. Quarterback Tajh Boyd hit Reid Evans on a quick hit pass, and Evans weaved all the way to the Stone Bridge 36 yard line. The Bulldogs defense stiffened, and on fourth down Boyd's pass to Markell Wilkins was a yard shy of the first down.
Stone Bridge stayed primarily on the ground and managed to push back to the Phantom 45. On fourth-and-eleven, Daniel Allen burst through the middle but was tripped up just short of the first down, and Phoebus took over. The Phantoms likewise stuck with the running game, but on third-and-eight from the Bulldog 35, Boyd found Demetirus Ward in the left flat. Ward picked up a couple key blocks and rambled in for the game's first score. The extra point but Phoebus in front 7-0.
The Bulldogs' next series was unproductive, and they were forced to punt from their own 19. Phoebus had great field position on the Stone Bridge 42, but as they have all season, the Bulldog defenders met the challenge. Boyd's pass fell incomplete on fourth-and eleven on the Stone Bridge 30, and the Bulldogs took possession.
Stone Bridge switched gears and brought out the passing attack. After a five yard run by Mike Stancik, Gouveia made a leaping catch to move the ball into Phantom territory. Another run by Stancik was followed by two completions by quarterback Patrick Thompson to dependable Matt Irwin, working the ball to the Phoebus eight. On first-and-goal, Thompson rolled right and looked to be sacked when he tossed to Ryan Moody who made a spectacular one-handed grab for the TD. Ronnie Shaban added the PAT and the score was tied 7-7.
Shaban's kick-off went into the end zone, and Phoebus started on its own 20. Four plays later, lightning struck for the Bulldogs when Boyd's pass attempt was tipped at the line by Doug Sims. Mike Olson gathered it in on the fly and raced untouched 41 yards for the touchdown. Another Shaban PAT put Stone Bridge in front 14-7 and Phoebus momentarily on their heels.
As great teams do, the Phantoms quickly regrouped. On the first play from scrimmage, Evans sped around the right side and used some key blocks to take the ball all the way to the Stone Bridge 22. Four plays later Boyd found Darius McMillian in the end zone, and the score was knotted once again, 14-14.
After the kick-off, passes by Thompson to Irwin and Daniel Allen quickly moved the ball to the fifty. On the next play, a fumbled snap was recovered by Phoebus at the Bulldog 48. The drive was short-lived, however, when Phantom tailback Shawne Alston fumbled and Stancik covered at the Stone Bridge 39.
Stone Bridge went three-and-out and was forced to punt, turning the ball over to Phoebus at the Phantom 29. The Phantoms could do no better than midfield on their drive and punted as well. But the kick was mishandled by Gouveia, and Phoebus recovered on the Stone Bridge 22 Boyd scrambled to the Bulldog eight, and two plays later found Evans in the end-zone for the TD. The Phantoms went into the locker room leading 21-14.
Stone Bridge opened the second half with the ball, and disaster nearly struck. Thompson's pass was picked off by Phoebus at the Bulldog 30 and returned to the six. The Stone Bridge defense came up big again, however, and held the Phantoms to a 29-yard field goal, giving Phoebus a 24-14 lead.
Starting from the twenty, Stone Bridge mixed up the run and pass, the key play being a 25-yard completion to Moody. The drive moved to the Phoebus 26, but on third down, Gouveia's pass was intercepted at the Phantom four. Luck was with the Bulldogs, however, when Phoebus fumbled on the very next play and Zach Thompson pounced on the ball at the six. At that point, the Bulldogs put the machine in four-wheel-drive. Four straight runs ended with Gouveia punching in from the one, and Stone Bridge was in range, trailing 24-21.
Phoebus began the next drive with great field position at the Phantom 41, and a 26-yard strike from Boyd to Evans found them at the Stone Bridge 33 in a hurry. The Bulldog defense came up strong once more, though, when Kevin Elliott picked off Boyd at the 16 to kill the threat.
From there, the rumble was nearly audible. Stone Bridge slugged out thirteen rushes, covering 84 yards in 6:39. The key play was on fourth-and-one at the Phantom 8, when a hard count drew the defense offside. On the next play, Gouveia slammed in from the four, and the PAT put the Bulldogs in front for good, 28-24. In the drive, Gouveia rushed eight times for fifty yards, while Alexander added fourteen on three carries.
In what is probably the most unappreciated weapon in the Bulldog arsenal, Shaban's kick-off reached the end-zone once more, forcing the Phantoms to deal with a long field. The Stone Bridge defense was unbending, and Phoebus faced fourth-and-twelve from the 18. The snap was high, clearing the punter's head and going out of the end zone for a safety. The Bulldogs' lead was now six, and fatigue was starting to show in the Phantoms.
After the free kick, Stone Bridge began at the Bulldog 41, and it was all Gouveia. Aside from a nice 19-yard completion to Moody, the offensive line thumped the Phoebus defenders time and again, with Gouveia churning behind them for large chunks of real estate. With 1:49 to play, the all-state back scored from the seven and a two-point conversion pass from Patrick Thompson to Zach Thompson put the lead at fourteen, 38-24.
After another touchback, Phoebus started once more from the 20. Boyd hit Evans for 17 yards, but a big hit by John Bladel coughed the ball up, and Gouveia was there to recover. Stone Bridge took a knee to end the contest.
Statistically, the game was even, but Stone Bridge dominated the time of possession 29:18 to 18:42, particularly in the second half. After halftime, the Bulldogs limited Phoebus to 14 plays and a net twenty-three yards of offense. Gouveia led all rushers with 103 yards and three TDs.
The Bulldogs record their 13th victory, a school record, and move to the state championship game for the second time in three years. They will face the undefeated Potomac Panthers in what promises to be a classic title matchup.
Prepared by, Dave and Suzy Barta
spbarta@aol.com
CHECK BACK......For more coverage of Saturday's game with video coverage and the replay of the broadcast....Also check for Gameday's photos of the Phoebus vs Stone Bridge match-up......
