Stone Bridge Defeats Mount Vernon, 42-0
After cruising through the regular season and capturing their fourth straight Liberty District Title, the Stone Bridge Bulldogs looked to 9-2 Mount Vernon for their first real test of the year. After the game, there was not much debate over the grade to award: A, with two turnovers the only blemishes preventing an A+.
The Majors came in riding a seven game win streak and left wondering what bus just hit them. The Bulldogs controlled the ball on offense, dominated on defense and appeared tuned up to defend their Northern Region title next Friday. Daniel Allen once again led the Stone Bridge offense with two touchdowns, while the defense recorded its fourth shutout of the season.
Stone Bridge opened the game with the ball, but five plays into the series Allen was stripped and Mount Vernon recovered near midfield. The Majors quickly went three and out, and a poor punt gave the ball back to Stone Bridge at the Bulldog 45. The Bulldogs put together a ten play drive, but it stalled at the Mount Vernon 24 when Patrick Thompson's pass fell incomplete.
Mount Vernon could not record a first down, and the Bulldogs took over at their 39. It took only four carries by Allen and Marcus Harris before Harris raced in from the 16 for the game's first score. Abdul Shaban kicked the PAT and Stone Bridge led 7-0.
The Majors went nowhere in their next series, and turned the ball over once more to Stone Bridge at their own 37. The Bulldogs relied heavily on Allen as he carried six times for 51 yards, ultimately punching in from the five for his first TD. The drive ate up over four minutes and Stone Bridge was on top 14-0.
Mount Vernon's fortune remained the same as it went three and out again and was forced to punt. Bulldog John Bladel took the kick at the 46 and made a fine return to the Majors 35 to give Stone Bridge good field position. A big 25 yard scamper by Allen pushed the ball to the ten, and defensive stalwart Brian Slay nearly had a touchdown reception but was dragged down at the one. Not to be denied, Slay got the next call and bulldozed in for the TD. Shaban added the extra point and Stone Bridge was cruising 21-0.
Mount Vernon not could gain a first down after the kickoff, but Stone Bridge turned the ball back over after Thompson was intercepted. Mount Vernon took control on its own 29, and managed to record its only two first downs on pass completions with less than a minute left in the half. The Bulldogs were not in a giving mood, however, and the drive was snuffed at the Stone Bridge 36 just before the half.
The second half opened with the Bulldogs kicking off, but Shaban pulled off a perfect onside kick and the free ball was covered by Michael Prince. Nick Sheehan pulled in a Thompson pass with one hand to move the ball to the Major 30, and Zach Thompson also hauled in a pass but was denied the touchdown at the one. Allen waltzed in on the next play and Stone Bridge led 28-0.
Mount Vernon was stymied on its next series, and Stone Bridge began its next drive on its own 24. This time it was Sheehan who carried the load, hauling in three Thompson passes for 46 yards, including a 31 yard TD.
The Majors came up empty once more, eventually giving the ball back to Stone Bridge on the Bulldog 27. The Bulldogs put together an eleven play drive, highlighted by a 35 yard run by Zach Miller. The effort stalled at the Mount Vernon 15, and Shaban's 32 yard field goal attempt was just wide left.
After the kickoff, same story for Mount Vernon: three and out. Stone Bridge Drove from midfield to the 17 in eight plays where Noland Moser fought his way in for a touchdown and a 42-0 Bulldog lead. The Stone Bridge defense tacked on one more three and out on the Mount Vernon offense just for good measure.
The domination was total on the part of the Bulldogs. Stone Bridge ran the ball 49 times for 299 yards and tallied 472 yards of offense versus just 68 for Mount Vernon. The Majors relied on the rush coming into the game, but were crushed by the defensive front of Stone Bridge, gaining only 18 yards on 17 carries. The Bulldogs forced nine punts, allowed only two first downs and controlled the clock 32:23 to 15:37.
Next up the Bulldogs face undefeated rival Edison for the Northern Region championship on the Eagles' home turf. The two teams have met in the championship game each of the last four years, with Stone Bridge capturing the 2005 and 2007 titles.
