The Highland Springs Springers, thought to be one of the top teams in the state all season, concluded their magical run to a state championship by racing out to an early lead over Stone Bridge before the defense clamped down in the second half and the offense hit a couple of big plays to pull away from the Stone Bridge Bulldogs.
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM TIME SCORING PLAY GAME SCORE
HS 8:27 (1) Anderson 61 yards, PAT Ellis 7-0
SB 8:48 (2) Ridley 1 yard, PAT Alcorn 7-7
HS 3:57 (2) Carter to Wallace 22 yards, PAT failed 13-7
HS 6:01 (3) Carter to Wallace 55 yards, two-point pass 21-7
HS 11:44 (4) Dortch 66 yards, PAT blocked 27-7
GAME FLOW
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MISTAKES
Stone Bridge opened the game aggressively taking a deep shot on their second play of the game and throwing on three of their first six plays. However, the first mistake of the game came just over two minutes in when Joe Thompson took a deep shot towards the end zone, but Highland Springs defensive back Greg Dortch made a leaping interception in the end zone. The senior then returned the ball back to his own 28-yard line shutting down the Bulldogs' game-opening threat.
Following the interception, the Highland Springs' explosiveness showed itself for the first time as running back D.J. Anderson split the Stone Bridge defense and raced 61 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the Springers' possession.
Less than four minutes into the contest, the Springers led 7-0 and showed off their tremendous athletic advantage with the acrobatic Dortch pick and Anderson's scoring sprint.
On the ensuing Stone Bridge drive, the Bulldogs' offense bullied their way down the field sticking with the run game with the exception of one pass to get inside the Springers' 10-yard line. Facing fourth-and-five from the Springers' 7, Stone Bridge passed on a field goal attempt opting for a backside screen pass that fell a couple of yards short when senior Dewayne Winston was taken down at the four.
The teams exchanged punts and Highland Springs made their first big mistake of the game fumbling the Stone Bridge punt at their own 18-yard line with Bulldog Chase Ridley making the recovery. Three plays later, Ridley was rewarding with a touchdown run as he took an inside handoff on a counter and walked untouched into the end zone tying the game at 7 less than four minutes into the second quarter.
Both teams had made mistakes and each paid the price by giving up a score.
DEFENSE AND FIELD POSITION
Following their score, Stone Bridge tried to take advantage of their momentum with an onsides kick, but Highland Springs made the recovery near midfield.
Getting nothing out of their three-and-out possession, the Springers punted. The defense returned the three-and-out favor forcing a Stone Bridge punt which gave the ball back to the offense at the Bulldogs' 33.
Working with the short field, the Springers tested the middle of the Bulldogs defense a couple of times with the run before looking outside to their talented receivers. Junior quarterback Juwan Carter found K'Von Wallace in a one-on-one situation in the end zone and lofted a gorgeous pass to the senior wide out who beat his man on a go route for a 22-yard score.
Each team got a couple more tries before the half ended, but the defenses made quick stops as each offense floundered around midfield sending the teams into half time with the Springers leading 13-7.
STRIKE FIRST AND EXTEND
After the teams traded punts to open the second half, Highland Springs again got another big play from one of their wide receivers. Using Wallace as the wildcat quarterback, the Springers netted zero yards on two plays, but Carter returned to his position behind center on third-and-ten hitting Wallace with a hitch route near the first down marker. A sidestep and a stiff arm later, Wallace found room down the Stone Bridge sideline racing untouched for a 55-yard touchdown. Using a muddle huddle, Dortch took the shotgun snap on the two-point conversion and rolled to the right. When a Bulldogs defender stepped up to him, the senior gently tossed the ball into the end zone into the waiting arms of Wallace for a 21-7 lead.
RUN AWAY
Opening up the fourth quarter with a defensive stop, the Springers then used another big play to further extend their lead when Greg Dortch, working from the backfield, took a handoff up the middle of the field racing 66 yards for a Springers' touchdown and a 28-7 lead just seconds into the fourth quarter.
Post-game audio with Coach Mickey Thompson and Stone Bridge players
Post-game audio with Coach Loren Johnson and Highland Springs Springers players
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
K'VON WALLACE
The Highland Springs senior terrorized the Stone Bridge defense most of the game catching four passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns including a 55-yarder that broke the game open in the second half.
DJ ANDERSON
Opening the scoring in the contest with a 61-yard burst up the middle, the Springers tailback set an early tone for his team and finished the game with 103 yards and one touchdown on eleven carries.
JUWAN CARTER
The junior, a three-year starter, was limited a bit in the first half connecting on only 2 of 5 passes for 27 yards, but as the game opened up in the second half, he shines bright finishing the contest with 90 yards passing on 5 of 8 completions with two touchdowns.
Football Editor Rod Johnson is entering his second decade with www.VirginiaPreps.com having started with the site in 2003. To keep up with all the high school football news in Virginia, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook. He can also be contacted via e-mail at vaprepsrod@cox.net.
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM TIME SCORING PLAY GAME SCORE
HS 8:27 (1) Anderson 61 yards, PAT Ellis 7-0
SB 8:48 (2) Ridley 1 yard, PAT Alcorn 7-7
HS 3:57 (2) Carter to Wallace 22 yards, PAT failed 13-7
HS 6:01 (3) Carter to Wallace 55 yards, two-point pass 21-7
HS 11:44 (4) Dortch 66 yards, PAT blocked 27-7
GAME FLOW
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MISTAKES
Stone Bridge opened the game aggressively taking a deep shot on their second play of the game and throwing on three of their first six plays. However, the first mistake of the game came just over two minutes in when Joe Thompson took a deep shot towards the end zone, but Highland Springs defensive back Greg Dortch made a leaping interception in the end zone. The senior then returned the ball back to his own 28-yard line shutting down the Bulldogs' game-opening threat.
Following the interception, the Highland Springs' explosiveness showed itself for the first time as running back D.J. Anderson split the Stone Bridge defense and raced 61 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the Springers' possession.
Less than four minutes into the contest, the Springers led 7-0 and showed off their tremendous athletic advantage with the acrobatic Dortch pick and Anderson's scoring sprint.
On the ensuing Stone Bridge drive, the Bulldogs' offense bullied their way down the field sticking with the run game with the exception of one pass to get inside the Springers' 10-yard line. Facing fourth-and-five from the Springers' 7, Stone Bridge passed on a field goal attempt opting for a backside screen pass that fell a couple of yards short when senior Dewayne Winston was taken down at the four.
The teams exchanged punts and Highland Springs made their first big mistake of the game fumbling the Stone Bridge punt at their own 18-yard line with Bulldog Chase Ridley making the recovery. Three plays later, Ridley was rewarding with a touchdown run as he took an inside handoff on a counter and walked untouched into the end zone tying the game at 7 less than four minutes into the second quarter.
Both teams had made mistakes and each paid the price by giving up a score.
DEFENSE AND FIELD POSITION
Following their score, Stone Bridge tried to take advantage of their momentum with an onsides kick, but Highland Springs made the recovery near midfield.
Getting nothing out of their three-and-out possession, the Springers punted. The defense returned the three-and-out favor forcing a Stone Bridge punt which gave the ball back to the offense at the Bulldogs' 33.
Working with the short field, the Springers tested the middle of the Bulldogs defense a couple of times with the run before looking outside to their talented receivers. Junior quarterback Juwan Carter found K'Von Wallace in a one-on-one situation in the end zone and lofted a gorgeous pass to the senior wide out who beat his man on a go route for a 22-yard score.
Each team got a couple more tries before the half ended, but the defenses made quick stops as each offense floundered around midfield sending the teams into half time with the Springers leading 13-7.
STRIKE FIRST AND EXTEND
After the teams traded punts to open the second half, Highland Springs again got another big play from one of their wide receivers. Using Wallace as the wildcat quarterback, the Springers netted zero yards on two plays, but Carter returned to his position behind center on third-and-ten hitting Wallace with a hitch route near the first down marker. A sidestep and a stiff arm later, Wallace found room down the Stone Bridge sideline racing untouched for a 55-yard touchdown. Using a muddle huddle, Dortch took the shotgun snap on the two-point conversion and rolled to the right. When a Bulldogs defender stepped up to him, the senior gently tossed the ball into the end zone into the waiting arms of Wallace for a 21-7 lead.
RUN AWAY
Opening up the fourth quarter with a defensive stop, the Springers then used another big play to further extend their lead when Greg Dortch, working from the backfield, took a handoff up the middle of the field racing 66 yards for a Springers' touchdown and a 28-7 lead just seconds into the fourth quarter.
Post-game audio with Coach Mickey Thompson and Stone Bridge players
Post-game audio with Coach Loren Johnson and Highland Springs Springers players
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
K'VON WALLACE
The Highland Springs senior terrorized the Stone Bridge defense most of the game catching four passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns including a 55-yarder that broke the game open in the second half.
DJ ANDERSON
Opening the scoring in the contest with a 61-yard burst up the middle, the Springers tailback set an early tone for his team and finished the game with 103 yards and one touchdown on eleven carries.
JUWAN CARTER
The junior, a three-year starter, was limited a bit in the first half connecting on only 2 of 5 passes for 27 yards, but as the game opened up in the second half, he shines bright finishing the contest with 90 yards passing on 5 of 8 completions with two touchdowns.
Football Editor Rod Johnson is entering his second decade with www.VirginiaPreps.com having started with the site in 2003. To keep up with all the high school football news in Virginia, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook. He can also be contacted via e-mail at vaprepsrod@cox.net.
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