Allen's 4TD's Lead Bulldogs To 51-13 Win......
While the weather Friday night in Ashburn was dreary and uninspiring, Stone Bridge running back Daniel Allen's performance was anything but. The Bulldog senior was money every time he touched the ball, rushing four times for 167 yards and four touchdowns as Stone Bridge remained perfect with a 51-13 thumping of McLean.
The Highlanders kicked off to start the game, but were quickly on offense as Stone Bridge quarterback Patrick Thompson's first pass was overthrown and picked off at the McLean 33. McLean could do nothing with the opportunity, and punted to the Bulldog 48 after going three and out. Thompson went right back to work, hitting Nick Sheehan for twelve and Michael Prince for 34, who made a fine leaping catch at the Highlander six. Allen then scored his first touchdown, bulldozing in from the six behind a wall off linemen. Abdul Shaban added the PAT to put Stone Bridge in front 7-0.
Mclean's first play from scrimmage on the next series was disastrous, as they fumbled the ball away on their own 17 and Spenser Rositano pounced on it. The Stone Bridge offense seemed to stall a bit, but on fourth and goal, Thompson found Nate Ingersoll for a seven yard TD, and the Bulldogs were up 14-0 with less than four minutes gone in the game.
The Highlanders had no luck in the next series, either, as they went three and out once more and punted to near midfield. Thompson was bit by the INT bug again when his passed was tipped and gathered in by a Highlander defender at the McLean 33. The Highlanders' offensive fortune did not improve, and another three and out turned the ball over to the Bulldogs at the Stone Bridge 29.
On first down, Allen took the snap and in an instant was through the line and racing untouched 71 yards for his second score. Shaban added the point after and Stone Bridge was in control 21-0. After a touchback, McLean started at the twenty but was unable to record a first down, and the uncontested punt rolled all the way to the Stone Bridge 28. Thompson used a 27 yard completion to Zach Thompson and a 28-yarder to Sheehan to move the ball to the Highlander 20. From there it was another lightning strike by Allen, who zipped in unchallenged through the center of the line once more. Another Shaban kick made the score 28-0 Stone Bridge with nearly nine minutes left in the first half.
McLean started with good field position after the kick off and managed to put together a respectable drive in the next series, working the ball to the Bulldog 30. But on fourth and one, the Stone Bridge defense stuffed the run and the Highlanders were forced to walk away empty handed.
On the next play, Allen struck again, finding his way through the crowded line before bursting through and easily out-running everyone to the end zone. The extra point made it 35-0 Stone Bridge and the rout was on. On the second play of McLean's next series, quarterback William Heet found a receiver over the middle, but the ball was stripped and Sheehan recovered for Stone Bridge. On the next play, Thompson found brother Zach once more, this time all alone behind the secondary for a 27 yard touchdown and a 42-0 lead.
McLean's nightmare continued in the next set of downs when on fourth down the snap to the punter was low and squeaked through to the end zone where it was covered for a safety. The ensuing penalty kick was taken over by Stone Bridge on the Highlander 34, and two plays later Thompson had his third TD pass when he found Prince for the score. The half ended with the Bulldogs on top 51-0.
In the second half, Stone Bridge head coach Mickey Thompson bowed to the elements and chose to rest his starters. McLean took advantage by scoring on an 18 yard Heet-to-Riely Biero pass in the third quarter and a Biero 53 yard run as time expired.
For the year, Allen has an impressive total of 10 touchdowns in 51 rushes, and is averaging nearly nine yards per carry. Thompson doubled his interception total, but added to his TD passes and now has 15 for the season. The Bulldogs defense allowed a grand total of seven yards in the first half before calling it a night.
Stone Bridge continues its march, traveling to South Lakes next Friday in another Liberty District contest.
