#1 Stone Bridge vs #10 Robinson (Preview)
Stone Bridge will host Robinson on Friday night in a rematch of last year's 41-14 lopsided game that was won by the Rams. The Bulldogs are looking for revenge in a big way...
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
It is quite possible that Stone Bridge's Patrick Thompson will have to win the game on Friday night with his arm, despite having an injured throwing hand.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
Robinson's Brian Laiti will be a major factor in the outcome on Friday night from the defensive side of the ball. Laiti is one of the best linebackers in the region....
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
# 1 STONE BRIDGE vs #10 ROBINSON
WHERE: Stone Bridge High School
KICKOFF: 7:30PM
PREGAME: 7:00PM on the Gameday Radio Network
COMMENTATORS:
Andy Hayes (Play By Play)
Sean Griffen (Color Commentary)
Glenn Wooten (Sideline)
MEDIA COVERAGE:
RADIO: Gameday Radio Network
Online at www.GamedayMagazine.com
& On The Dial On AM 1200 WAGE
ASHBURN, VA - Hit the drums because they should be playing right now with the Stone Bridge vs Robinson match-up set to take place Friday night in Ashburn. It is quite possibly the biggest game in the state, and few would argue with that statement, especially the folks here at Gameday.
We witnessed last year's lopsided 41-14 Robinson win over Stone Bridge, only their second regular season loss in the last 6 years, and it wasn't pretty. The Bulldogs looked out of sort on defense, inexperienced on offense, and shell shocked when it was all said and done. Oh how a year changes things.
Stone Bridge enters Friday's rematch ranked #1 in the Gameday Power Poll, and every other poll for that matter. The Bulldogs are winners of their last 14 games, and included in that run is a Division 5 State Championship. While last year's magical season still puts a smile on the faces of most Bulldog fans, the one blemish to their season remains the Robinson game. And it goes without saying that Stone Bridge is hungry to right the ship.
Robinson, fresh off a win over Lake Braddock (26-9) last Thursday, is rested and healthy, and they will be nothing like the easy task Stone Bridge faced against West Springfield in week one. The Rams are big, physical, fast, well coached, and....you get the picture.
Robinson matches up well with Stone Bridge in every area except one in 2008; the revenge factor. The Rams will be at a slight disadvantage in this one because Stone Bridge is angry about last year's contest, and hungry to prove it was a fluke. For Robinson, it is just another game on a long and winding path they hope leads to a post-season run.
A loss for either team really does no harm, but don't tell that to the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, they don't want to hear it. This game matters because their pride was damaged in last year's game, and only a win over Robinson this season will fix those feelings.
Let's take a look at the breakdown of this colossal game on Friday night.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Robinson Offensive Line vs Stone Bridge Defensive Line
Last year, Robinson won this battle and beat Stone Bridge to the edge on several plays. The Rams controlled the line of scrimmage in the second half and Stone Bridge got out of position a few times, which allowed the graduated Peter Ferrara to score with outside running plays. After the Robinson game last year, Stone Bridge's defensive line became one of the most dominating units in the state of Virginia. On Friday, it will feature three major college football players in Zach Thompson, David Wang, Brian Slay, and prospect Jimmy Bradford. The Rams will try to get the edge, but it is doubtful that they will get it in 2008 against the now senior led defensive line of Stone Bridge. Advantage....Stone Bridge
Robinson Defensive Front Seven vs Stone Bridge Running Game:
In 2007, the Rams were able to pressure Stone Bridge and disrupt the Bulldog single wing attack with their size and physicality. The Bulldog offensive line is much improved, but the running backs for Stone Bridge are inexperienced. Watch this match-up closely because even if the offensive line for the Bulldogs opens some holes, they will close quickly with Robinson's front seven. How Stone Bridge runs the football early could be a big indicator of how this game may turn out on the scoreboard. Robinson's Brian Laiti is a future major college football linebacker, and he will make a name for himself in this game.....Advantage....Robinson
KEYS TO VICTORY:
For Stone Bridge:
- Establish The Run
- Protect QB Patrick Thompson
- Take Away The Robinson Running Game
For Robinson
- Be Balanced On Offense
- Shut Down The Single Win
- Avoid The Big Plays On Defense
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
STONE BRIDGE:
Keep a close eye on Stone Bridge's Patrick Thompson, who is still nursing a hand injury suffered in training camp. While other offensive players often grab the spotlight with big numbers, Thompson is the key to the Stone Bridge locomotive they call an offense. His ability to throw in this game will be absolutely huge, and Robinson knows it. The Rams will load the line of scrimmage and bring pressure to disrupt Stone Bridge's running game, and that will open some opportunities up for the Bulldogs down the field in the passing game. If Stone Bridge can't get Robinson to respect its passing attack, it will be a long night for the Bulldogs once again.
ROBINSON:
Robinson's offense is built around its two running backs Winton Fox and Alex Murray. Murray scored twice in last week's win over Lake Braddock, and both he and Fox are tough inside runners. The Rams will try to neutralize Stone Bridge's size advantage on the defensive line by running quick hitting trap and zone plays in my opinion. This will put pressure on the linebackers for the Bulldogs, and Mike Olson could be a key player to watch for Stone Bridge. If the Rams can establish the inside running game, it will open things up for Robinson's senior quarterback Timmy Meier. Meier had a solid game a year ago throwing the football, and his leadership will be a big factor in this game. Watch closely if Robinson falls behind early because how they react could be the biggest sign of how this game will end on the scoreboard.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Michael Prince - Stone Bridge Senior Receiver
Prince scored 4 touchdowns last week against West Springfield, and his speed will help keep Robinson from stacking the line of scrimmage. If Prince gets loose early, Stone Bridge could put up big numbers on the scoreboard.
Brian Laiti - Robinson Junior Linebacker
When you play Stone Bridge's single wing, you better have a great linebacker who can make the right reads. Robinson has just that guy in Laiti, the third of his family to star for the Rams. Laiti will have the tough responsibility of playing sound against the Stone Bridge running game. His athleticism will give the Bulldogs trouble in the running game.
MY EXPERT ANALYSIS:
That's what I call it, but you may not. Look, Stone Bridge is the real deal in Division 5, and nobody is questioning that. However, if you line them up in the Concorde District each week, the outlook becomes a little more murky as to how they would finish. No question they could beat anyone in the Concorde, but anyone in the Concorde District can beat them too, as witnessed by many last year in the Robinson game.
In 2005, Stone Bridge lost to Oakton, then returned the favor to the Cougars in 2006. Are we headed for a repeat of history in Friday's contest? I think so, and for this reason. Last year, Stone Bridge was inexperienced, unproven, and untested. That is not the case this year, and this group of seniors for the Bulldogs will not be intimidated by the Rams, especially at home. The combination of Thompson at quarterback and the big boys in the trenches has me leaning toward the Bulldogs, but don't expect a blowout like last week. Stone Bridge and Robinson will provide those in attendance with one of the best, hard fought games of the year. Home field advantage gives the Bulldogs a narrow 31-21 win.
PROJECTED WEATHER:
High of 87 degrees and a low of 67 degrees with a light wind. PERFECT FOOTBALL WEATHER!
