Stone Bridge Man-Handles South Lakes 51-6
Swarming defense was the name of the game as Stone Bridge man-handled South Lakes 51-6 in a Liberty District contest Friday night. The Bulldogs allowed a token 3 yards rushing on 24 attempts as they harassed the Seahawks time and again in their own backfield.
Seniors Brian Slay, Zach Thompson and Jimmy Bradford shut down the Seahawk offense at the point of attack all evening. Those ball carriers that did manage to sneak through were quickly mugged by linebackers Mike Olson, Travis Hannam and Nick Sheehan. Patrick Thompson led the Bulldogs on the other side of the ball, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for another.
Stone Bridge opened the game in good field position when a South Lakes attempt at an onside kick was unsuccessful. It wasn't long before the Bulldogs took advantage, and four plays into the drive Thompson rambled nearly untouched 25 yards into the end zone. Abdul Shaban added the PAT and Stone Bridge led 7-0 with only 1:49 off the clock.
Stone Bridge took its own shot at an onside kick but it, too, was no good when the Bulldogs touched the ball too early. The Seahawks netted one yard on their first possession, and the punt was shanked, giving Stone Bridge the ball on its own 42. The Bulldogs worked the ball to the South Lakes five, but the Seahawks escaped when Thompson's pass fell incomplete on fourth down.
The South Lakes offense was completely shut down, and during the punt Slay broke through and blocked the kick, forcing it out at the Seahawk 15. On Stone Bridge's first play the offensive line completely sealed the right side and Thompson trotted easily into the end zone. Another Shaban kick put the Bulldogs ahead 14-0.
After the kick off the Seahawks started on their own 26, and on fourth and three from the 33 they chose to go for it, hoping for a spark. The pitch was fumbled and the Seahawk running back was mobbed all the way back at the six yard line where the Bulldogs took over. It took only one shot once more as Thompson found John Bladel across the middle for the TD. A conversion pass from Thompson to brother Zach made the score 22-0 Stone Bridge.
In the next South Lakes series the pressure from the Bulldog defensive line was building. Quarterback Justin Zeller's only hope on most plays was to throw up a pass while in full retreat. On third down he managed to find Brian Stout in the middle for 18 yards, but was not as fortunate the next play. Dare Ewetusa picked off the pass near the right sideline and Stone Bridge had the ball on the Seahawk 44.
Thompson found Nate Ingersoll and Sheehan for 13 and 15 yards respectively, moving the ball to the six in a hurry. Daniel Allen took it in from there, going in untouched for the score. Another Shaban kick and Stone Bridge led 29-0
South Lakes managed one first down in the next series, and used a roughing the passer call to move to midfield, but the drive stalled there. The ensuing punt backed up Stone Bridge to its own 28. The Bulldogs put together nine plays and pressed to the Seahawk 33, but that drive died when Thompson's pass fell incomplete.
The Seahawks had a chance to celebrate in the next series. Thanks to one personal foul and two pass interference calls, South Lakes drove deep into Stone Bridge territory. On first down at the eleven, Zeller found Darius Smith in the corner and the Seahawks were on the board with no time left in the first half.. The snap was muffed on the PAT, and the Bulldogs led 29-6 at the intermission.
South Lakes opened the second half with the ball, but on the second play from scrimmage Zeller was faced with a huge rush and tossed up a throw to the left side. Mike Olson jumped in front of the pass and jogged 30 yards to pay dirt. In a blink the Bulldogs led 37-6.
The Seahawks went three and out in their next series, and the Bulldogs uncharacteristically did the same. But on South Lakes' first play, Slay broke through and jumped on an errant pitch to give the ball back to Stone Bridge. The Bulldogs stayed on the ground, and on first and goal from the eight, Thompson ran to the left and dodged and twisted his way into the end zone for his third rushing touchdown. With 3:42 left in the third Stone Bridge was on top 44-6.
The Seahawks tallied minus two yards in their next possession and punted to the Bulldog 36. John Bladel took a turn at QB for Stone Bridge and looked very sharp, hitting four of five for 34 yards before being spelled. Marcus Harris took over from there, rushing five times for 45 yards. He ultimately scored on a thirteen yard run that saw him head to the left before reversing field and leaving everyone behind, racing to the right corner. Shaban's kick ended the scoring at 51-6 Bulldogs.
Defensively the Bulldogs were impressive, yielding only 65 yards of offense, nearly half of that in the final series. Brian Slay was the chief antagonist, knocking down a pass at the line, blocking a punt, covering a fumble and generally helping disrupt the Seahawk offense all night.
The Bulldogs move to 6-0 (3-0) and entertain Langley for Homecoming next Friday in what could be their first real test of the season.
