Stone Bridge Blocks FG Preserving Win
In the highly anticipated match-up between the Bulldogs of Stone Bridge and the Bulldogs of Westfield, a game that was touted as being an instant classic, neither team disappointed Friday night. Before a packed crowd, Stone Bridge and Westfield traded punches all night long until the very end, where the Ashburn Bulldogs hung on to win by 3 points...
Photo By: Marc Gold / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
Stone Bridge's Kyle Gouveia had a strong game for the Bulldogs, finishing with an interception, a touchdown run, and also a touchdown pass in the 21-18 win over Westfield...
Photo By: Marc Gold / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
Danny Fenyak played well against Stone Bridge on Friday night, completing his first pass of the game that eventually led to a touchdown on the very first play from scrimmage...
Photo By: Marc Gold / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
ASHBURN, VA - In a match-up seen by many in both the Loudoun and Fairfax areas as overdue, the Bulldogs of Stone Bridge played host to the Bulldogs of Westfield Friday night to kick off the 2009 football season. The game surely lived up to the hype, as Stone Bridge squeaked out a 21-18 victory over Westfield thanks largely in part to a blocked field goal with under a minute remaining in the game.
The scoreboard did not stay unlit for long, as Westfield opened up the game with a double pass to Garry Turner, who then took it 69 yards to the end zone. James Crossett's extra point was blocked, leaving Westfield up 6-0.
However, Stone Bridge refused to hang their heads.
"We are Stone Bridge. We are used to winning and used to battling. We weren't going to panic," said head coach Mickey Thompson.
Stone Bridge emphasized that attitude on the ensuing kickoff, as team captain Marcus Harris returned the ball all the way to Westfield's 31-yard line. After two 3rd-down conversions, Stone Bridge found the end zone courtesy of a 1-yard run by Spenser Rositano. Abdul Shaban's extra point split the uprights to give Stone Bridge a 7-6 advantage.
After the two teams traded punts, Westfield found themselves on the Stone Bridge 30-yard line courtesy of a muffed punt by Rositano. However, on 3rd and 5, Westfield quarterback Danny Fenyak had his pass tipped at the line of scrimmage, then picked off by Kyle Gouveia.
The second quarter began with Stone Bridge hoping to build a comfortable lead on Westfield after Gouveia's interception. After converting on a fourth down and five situation, Stone Bridge found themselves facing a 3rd and 18. However, a 19-yard completion from Brian Rody to Marcus Harris gave Stone Bridge the 1st down as well as position inside the red zone. After slowly inching towards the goal line, they finally found the end zone on 4th down thanks to a 2-yard run from Gouveia. After the score, Stone Bridge led 14-6 with 5:40 remaining in the half.
On the following drive, Westfield, led by Fenyak and Turner, began marching down the field. After a pass interference penalty on Stone Bridge, Westfield found themselves on Stone Bridge's 29-yard line. Fenyak continued to move the offense deeper into Stone Bridge territory before calling a timeout with 29 seconds remaining. After the timeout, Westfield found themselves faced with 3rd down and 2 from the 3-yard line. On the next play, Westfield scored on a 3-yard pass from Fenyak to tight end Mitch Castleberry. Westfield failed on the 2-point conversion, leaving them trailing 14-12.
Stone Bridge was able to get deep enough into Westfield territory to allow Rositano to attempt a 47-yard kick before the half expired. His kick fell short though, leaving the score at 14-12.
Stone Bridge started with the ball in the second half. Both teams traded punts before things began to get interesting. On Stone Bridge's second drive of the half, they attempted to go for it on 4th and 10. However, Rody's pass to Rositano was intercepted by Bo Hartman, who then returned it to the Stone Bridge 42-yard line. On the very next play, running back Kendall Anderson scampered 42 yards to the end zone. Another failed 2-point conversion left Westfield leading 18-14.
Once again though, Stone Bride refused to be demoralized by a game-changing play. On the next possession, they gave Westfield a dose of their own medicine by connecting with Rositano on a 67-yard double pass from Rody to Gouveia. Shaban nailed the extra point to put Stone Bridge up 21-18.
As the fourth quarter began, Westfield's offense began to knock on Stone Bridge's door. In the opening minute of the quarter, Westfield found themselves with a 4th down and 12 on the 32-yard line of Stone Bridge. After choosing to attempt the field goal, Crosset's kick fell short, giving Stone Bridge the ball.
Stone Bridge began to use up as much clock as possible during their possession. After eating up a lot of yards, two timeouts, and over eight minutes of time, Stone Bridge found themselves in a 4th down and 10 situation. They elected to go for it, which proved to be a mistake as Rositano was stopped for a no gain on the handoff, giving Westfield one last shot to tie or win the game.
They took over at their own 42 yard line with just over three minutes to play. After a Stone Bridge sack, it seemed as though Westfield was out of it. Dylan Doty brought the team back to life however, finding a huge hole and running all the way to the Stone Bridge 28-yard line as the clock continued to run. Westfield quickly got up to the line, and on the next play, Fenyak connected with Castleberry on a 23-yard pass up the middle, giving them first and goal with just under 90 seconds remaining. A pass up the middle went incomplete, setting up 2nd and goal. A Fenyak pass to Turner in the corner of the end zone was overthrown, setting up 3rd and goal with 1:07 to go. The same pass was attempted the next play and again was overthrown, forcing Crossett, who had yet to connect on a kick all night, to attempt a potential game-winning 22-yard field goal. The snap was clean, the hold was clean, and the kick went up. However, so did Spenser Rositano, who got just high enough to block the kick, giving Stone Bridge the 21-18 victory.
"I wasn't even supposed to blitz on the play, but I went in a little bit. I just jumped as high as I could and I got a piece of it," said Rositano after the game.
After the game, emotions continued to run high on the field, as Stone Bridge players and coaches alike rejoiced at the thrilling victory.
"It was pure craziness on the sidelines. I've never been through anything like that here at Stone Bridge," said head coach Mickey Thompson.
Garry Turner, wide receiver for Westfield whose performance against Stone Bridge solidified his status as one of the best receivers in the area, was optimistic about his team's performance despite the loss.
"We played really hard against a great team. Both teams were battling. I was really pleased with a lot of the things that happened in the game, but in the end we just came up a little short," said Turner.
A season of uncertainty began on a positive note for Stone Bridge. They hope to bring the momentum from Friday night's victory over to next week, when they visit Cedar Run District newcomer Heritage on September 11th.
On the flipside, Westfield will hope to rebound from a tough loss when they play host to West Potomac High School on the 11th as well.
