Rodney Helps Pioneers Top Warriors 24-17
WINCHESTER, VA - Both the Millbrook Pioneers and Sherando Warriors needed wins entering their contest Friday night. For the Warriors a win would mean they would be able to lock up a Region II playoff berth, and for the Pioneers a win would keep their slim playoff hopes alive in Division 3 for Region II. The game was fast moving with several long drives by both squads, but it was the Millbrook Pioneers grabbing the win 24-17 over the Warriors on senior night.
Led by the play of Calvin Rodney and Andrew Oates Millbrook was able to control the clock and grind out a close Northwestern district victory that concluded their season. With the win Millbrook finished the 2008 regular season with a 6-4 record.
The Pioneers controlled the clock in this game with an impressive 29:47 to 18:13 advantage in time of possession, while out gaining the Warriors 319 to 192.
Millbrook opened the game with a 77 yard drive that took almost 8 minutes off the 1st quarter clock. The drive was capped off when Calvin Rodney took the handoff from Andrew Oates and powered his way into the end zone for a 6 yard touchdown run and an early 7-0 lead for the Pioneers. Not the be outdone, the Warriors fought back on their opening possession of the game, scoring on a Roger Smith, Jr. 5 yard touchdown run to tie the score at 7 apiece with 10:22 to play in the opening half.
After 3 and outs by both teams the Pioneers took over with the ball at their own 40 yard line with 6:49 to play in the half. Millbrook proceeded to drive the football inside the Warriors' 10 yard line, but were forced to settle for a field goal by Cody Fazenbaker to make the score 10-7 in favor of the Pioneers as the teams headed to the locker room.
After the halftime break it was the Warriors who struck first on a Corey Rice to Dalton Boyd 74 yard touchdown pass on the 3rd play from scrimmage in the second half. The Sherando lead would not last long as the Pioneers marched back down the field to retake the lead 17-14 after Andrew Oates found Neil Bishop down the sideline for a 37 yard touchdown pass of his own. On the drive Oates completed 3 passes for 43 yards including the touchdown pass. Oates had one of his best games for Millbrook this season finishing the contest completing 14 of 16 passes for 158 yards and the one touchdown.
Sherando found themselves in familiar territory being down 17-14 in the fourth quarter of this one, the same situation they had 2 weeks ago against James Wood. This time though Sherando would be able to tie the ballgame when Lukas Stump connected on a 37 yard field goal with just 4:28 to play in the contest. The score was tied at 17-17, but the Pioneers were not done yet. Millbrook proceeded to take the football on their next possession and drive 71 yards in 3:43 scoring on a Livingston Smith touchdown run that proved to be the difference in this one. The Warriors would get one last chance with just :41 left to play in regulation and needed Corey Rice to lead them down the field for a chance at the tie.
After an encroachment penalty against the Pioneers Rice dropped to pass and was sacked for a 10 yard loss by blitzing linebacker Allen Silver for the game's only sack. 3 plays later Rice dropped to pass again and was looking over the middle for a receiver when Clayton Rodney stepped in front of the Warrior receiver to intercept the football and give Millbrook the win 24-17. It was the first win in school history against the Sherando Warriors and the Millbrook Pioneers kept their playoff hopes alive.
The Millbrook Pioneers played tough defensively all game long, limiting Roger Smith, Jr. to just 64 yards on 22 carries. They were also able to make the big plays when they needed to, intercepting Rice to seal the win. Offensively the Pioneers scored on 4 of their 6 possessions in the game. Calvin Rodney finished the game with 71 yards on 20 carries and Neil Bishop grabbed 2 catches for 74 yards.
Millbrook must now wait and see what happens next Friday before they will officially know what their playoff fate may be. Sherando will play 1st year program Kettle Run at Arrowhead Stadium with kickoff set for 7:05 PM for their final regular season game in 2008.
Velocity Sports Performance Players of the Game
Millbrook: Calvin Rodney, Running Back / Linebacker
Rodney spent most of the night on the field, either running the football or helping to limit the Warriors offensively. Rodney made numerous plays as the inside linebacker, while punishing the Warriors on the ground for the Millbrook offense. He finished the game with 74 yards and a touchdown offensively and double digit totals in tackles defensively.
Sherando: Dalton Boyd, Wide Receiver
Boyd led all receivers in the game with 3 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. He was also relied upon to block down field in the running game, and returned punts for Sherando during the game because of his hands ability. Even though Boyd is a junior, he plays like one of the most experienced players on the field at all times.
