Stewart's 2 TD Catches Too Much For Patriots
HERNDON, VA - Both the Park View Patriots and Herndon Hornets were excited to start the 2008 football season Monday night. The Hornets were looking to build on last year's stretch run, and focusing on starting this season quickly with a win. The Patriots on the other hand were looking for players to step up and fill the voids left by the departure of the 2007 senior class.
As the game got under way it was the Park View Patriots taking early control, ball control that is. The Patriots were able to control the clock for most of the period with a solid running attack and quick passes from quarterback Brandon Lee. Running backs Daryus Beale and Brandon Absher helped the balance attack by getting to the outside of the Herndon defense. Despite the advantage in total yards in the first quarter the Patriots were unable to get into the end zone, missing an opportunity halfway through the opening quarter when the Hornets' defense made a stand inside their own 10-yard line.
It would not take long for Coach Andy Hill's team to cross the goal line once the 2nd quarter began. Brandon Lee took the snap from under center and dove straight into the end zone from 1-yard out for the first score of the ballgame; however, after a Herndon encroachment penalty the Patriots could not convert the 2-point conversion and the score remained 6 - 0 with 10:21 remaining in the first half of play.
On the very next possession for the Herndon offense, and only 52 seconds later on the game clock, Zack Ozycz found Jake Stewart for a 34-yard touchdown pass that tied the ballgame. After the extra-point the Hornets had the lead 7 - 6. The two teams would trade possessions over the next 8 minutes of the half, when once again Ozycz would find an open receiver behind the Patriot defense. This time it was Nick Impellizzeri, who would scamper 43-yards for another Hornet touchdown and a 14 - 6 halftime lead for Coach Joe Sheaffer.
As the second half got underway the momentum seemed to be completely on the side of the Herndon Hornets, who had lost to the Patriots by a combined score of 58 - 7 over the previous two seasons. The Hornets had the lead and were receiving to start the final half of play. Devon Thompson corralled the kickoff and turned a routine return into a masterpiece. Thompson ran around and through Park View defenders, before finally being tracked down by Brandon Absher at the 1-yard line, but the damage had been done and touchdown for the Hornets was inevitable. On the very next play Ozycz ran a quarterback draw and scored another touchdown for the Hornets' offense. After the extra point by Joe Eftekhari, the score stood at 21 - 6 in favor of the home standing Hornets. The Patriots offense could not find any sort of rhythm in the second half of the ballgame and after a Randell Anane interception it was Ozycz again who found an open Stewart for the Hornets' second score of the half. The extra point was blocked by the Patriots and after 3 quarters of play the score stood at 27 - 6.
With the score almost out of reach, the 4th quarter was a formality. The Herndon defense played exceptionally, led by Jake Feldman, Will Geiger, and Mostafa Morrad. These three led a very high energy front 5 for the Hornets, and consistently pressured the Patriots signal-callers. One final touchdown with just 4:44 remaining in the contest put the game away for Herndon. Zach Leach took the handoff from Ozycz and swept around the right side and into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown run. The final score of the ballgame was 34 - 6, and the Herndon Hornets (1 - 0) had avenged losses from the 2006 and 2007 seasons to the Park View Patriots (0 - 1).
Both teams will have home games this week, making the short practice week a little easier. Herndon will take on South Lakes, and in a game that can be heard right here at www.GamedayMagazine.com, the Patriots will take on the Jefferson County Cougars from West Virginia. Game time for both contests is 7:30pm.
MOE'S SOUTHWEST GRILL PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Herndon Hornets: Senior, Jake Stewart
Stewart's two touchdown catches and tenacious defense for the Hornets proved to be the difference in the ballgame. The 6'4" tight end was a favorite target for quarterback Zack Ozycz all game long, and he repeatedly disrupted the Park View offense.
Park View Patriots: Junior, Michael Devaney
Devaney was all over the field on defense for the Patriots. His ability to cover the field from side to side helped negate the Hornets rushing attack as the game progressed.
