Bulldogs Claim Liberty With Win Over Woodson
The Stone Bridge Bulldogs cap a perfect 10-0 season with 42-14 win over Liberty District rival WT Woodson
Photos by Jan Johnson / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Bulldog TE Brian Slay outruns WT Woodson defenders in Stone Bridge's win over Woodson Friday night...
Photos by Jan Johnson / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Zach Thompson leaps over a Woodson defender to haul in this pass Friday in Ashburn. The Bulldogs completed their perfect season with the win over their Liberty rivals...
Photos by Jan Johnson / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
ASHBURN, VA - The Stone Bridge Bulldogs completed their domination of the Liberty District with a convincing 42-14 win over W.T. Woodson on Halloween night. With quarterback Patrick Thompson on the sidelines, the Bulldogs turned to the ground game and Daniel Allen who came up big, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
Woodson came into the game tied with Stone Bridge at 6-0 in district play, and looking to make a name for its self against the Divison 5 powerhouse. The game was hard-hitting and physical, but the Bulldogs were clearly too much for the Cavaliers
After the opening kickoff, Woodson quickly went three and out and gave up the ball after a punt to the Bulldog 34. Stone Bridge served notice of their intent to pound the ball by rushing Allen six of nine plays in their initial drive. Working to the Cavalier 15 and faced with fourth and goal, Michael Prince took the handoff around the left end. Prince appeared to be stopped more than once, but twisted and turned through the defenders before diving over for the score. Abdul Shaban added the PAT and Stone Bridge led 7-0.
Woodson suffered another three and out, and this time the Bulldogs weren't content with grinding it out. On the first play from scrimmage, Allen took the snap and bolted through the line 58 yards to put Stone Bridge up 14-0.
On the next series Woodson showed some life and moved to near midfield thanks to a 25 yard run by quarterback Conner Reilly. The drive stalled there, however, and Reilly's punt gave Stone Bridge possession on its own 18. The Bulldogs again went into tractor mode, chugging downfield to the Woodson 20 via ten straight rushes. Then on first down quarterback John Bladel found Prince in the flat and Prince did the rest, racing to the corner for his second TD. Shaban added the extra point and Stone Bridge led 21-0.
The Cavaliers put together a short drive that managed to advance to the Bulldog 45, but on fourth and one the Woodson runner was crushed at the line and Stone Bridge had the ball at midfield. From there it was a simple matter of five rushes before Marcus Harris punched in from the one, and the Bulldogs were in command 28-0.
Woodson was backed into a hole during its next series, losing 20 yards thanks to an errant snap on third down. The ensuing punt was returned by Bladel to the Cavalier 38, but on the next play Bladel's pass was intercepted and returned to the Stone Bridge 22. As the first half expired, Reilly found Colin Dempsey across the middle for the score, and Woodson trailed 28-7 and the intermission.
The second half saw Stone Bridge unwavering in its attack. Four carries took the ball to the Cavalier 30 where Allen weaved through the secondary for his second touchdown and a 35-7 Bulldog lead. Woodson had limited success going to the air in its first drive of the half, but eventually had to punt and pinned the Bulldogs back at their own 3. From there, Stone Bridge went on an impressive 15 play 97 yard march that culminated with a nine yard Kyle Gouveia to Nick Sheehan strike for the touchdown. Prior to the TD pass, the Bulldogs ripped off fourteen straight rushes, leaving the Cavaliers battered and bruised. Woodson then went on its own 92 yard drive that ended with Reilly pushing in from three yards out to end the scoring at 42-14.
Since joining the Liberty District in 2004, the Bulldogs are 28-0 with four titles, and own six district titles dating back to 2002. The Bulldogs have not lost a district game since October 20, 2002. Stone Bridge finished the regular season undefeated for the fourth time in the last six seasons, and has a regular season record of 58-2 during that span.
Stone Bridge moves on to the Regional playoffs, looking to defend its Northern Region championship and Divison 5 state championship with an opening round game at home next Friday.
