Camp Notes: New Faces Emerge For Bulldogs
The Stone Bridge offensive line holds up the Spartan defensive line as senior Daniel Allen races toward the endzone....
Photo By: Gameday Magazine
Stone Bridge transfer Nick Sheehan looked good on Friday on defense against Broad Run. Sheehan may get the call to also play some quarterback if Patrick Thompson can't go this week against Woodbridge....
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ASHBURN, VA - In my book, the only thing you can tell from the preseason is whether a team has some rising talent or not. Friday during the Broad Run vs Stone Bridge scrimmage, it became pretty clear that Stone Bridge has some new faces that may take center stage this fall.
We knew Patrick Thompson could throw the ball. He proved that again against the Spartan secondary. We knew that the Bulldogs had a tremendous defensive line, and they kept Broad Run from moving the football most of the night.
However, what we didn't know was who might steal some spotlight this fall for last year's defending state champions. The answers became a little clearer when sophomore Marcus Harris took several handoffs and raced toward the end-zone. Harris, who is 5'11, 175lbs, looks like the next big thing at tailback for the Bulldogs. As just a tenth grader, he will have to wait his turn some in the rotation of head coach Mickey Thompson's offense, but I don't think the ole' ball coach will wait too long to put this talented youngster on the field if he keeps showing those types of skills running the ball.
In addition to Harris, Stone Bridge had several new faces on the field, many of whom were transfers this off-season. Wide receiver Nick Sheehan caught a couple of passes, but in my opinion, his biggest impact may soon come behind center. Last year's starter Patrick Thompson left the scrimmage after just two series with an injured hand, and he may see limited action leading up to the opening game.
While this is jus speculation, Sheehan, a senior, played some at quarterback last fall for Loudoun Valley. He is big at 6'2, 200lbs, and athletic enough to carry the offense while Thompson rests his hand.
While the extent of Thompson's hand injury is still unknown, it could be a blessing in disguise that it happened now instead of the first week of the season. At least at this point, Sheehan or backup Kyle Gouveia will have the opportunity to get some reps with the first team and take part in a scrimmage against last year's state runner up in Division 6, Woodbridge.
On defense, the Bulldogs shored up some of their question marks in the defensive backfield with the play of Dare Ewetusa at cornerback. Ewetusa looked strong defending the run and pass, and despite his 155lb frame, he appeared to be very physical.
With new players entering the playing field this fall, one holdover from last season that looks like he's ready to make a big splash is receiver Michael Prince. Prince had a long touchdown catch against Broad Run's best defender, and then made some acrobatic catches in traffic.
I got the feeling that Prince has become a lot faster then what he showed on the baseball field this past spring for the Bulldogs. If Prince can become the go to guy for the Bulldogs, this offense is going to be scary.
Defensive lineman Jimmy Bradford also impressed me during the scrimmage. Bradford, who is often forgotten because he plays in between two future ACC defensive ends in Brian Slay and Zach Thompson, can flat out play. He showed his toughness against the run, and then he made his case to Coach Thompson that he could also play tight end when he dove for a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage and intercepted it.
I'm expecting Bradford to have a great year, and don't be fooled, he is one of the emotional spark plugs for this team. His motor is 100mph every play, and the rest of the defense feeds off of that.
Overall, Stone Bridge looked like a team destined for great things again in 2008. They look confident, and the only question will be how healthy they can stay. Last year as they made their way to their first state championship in school history, injuries weren't much of a problem. But even before the season, the Bulldogs have a major one to worry about with the hand injury to Patrick Thompson.
Andy Hayes is the owner and founder of Gameday Magazine. He can be reached by e-mail at GamedayMagazine@aol.com.
