The Skyline Hawks jumped out to an early 14-0, but then had to rally in the 4th quarter to defeat the George Mason Mustangs by a final score of 21 to 20 in Falls Church Friday evening.
Logan Maiatico capped off the Hawks opening drive with a 1 yard touchdown run with 9:03 left in the first quarter.
The Mustangs were moving the ball on their first possession behind a strong running game of Connor Plaks and George Papodopolous. But when faced with a 3rd and 14, George Mason went to the air, and while Evans Rice's pass was complete to Enzo Paradiso, the Hawks forced a fumble that was recovered by Alan Pinon-Santos.
After ineffective drives on the next possession for both teams, the Hawks extended their lead with 1:25 left in the first quarter when Blake Appleton connected with Budder Haley. It was the first play of the drive, and Haley broke a few tackles and then raced down the sideline for a 91 yard score.
George Mason cut into the Skyline lead on their next possession, as the Mustangs ran 10 straight rushing plays until Plaks ran it in from 9 yards out to make it 14-7 with 8:36 left in the 2nd quarter.
The Mustangs again hit the ground on their first drive of the 3rd quarter, running the ball on 17 plays straight before Plaks pushed it in from 3 yards out to tie it at 14 with 4:18 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Hawks had a promising next drive going behind the running of David Carter, but they could not turn it into points as Appleton's interception turned the ball back over to the Mustangs late in the 3rd quarter.
The Mustangs pounded the ground 5 plays straight to start off their next drive, but then went to the air on 3rd and goal as Rice hit Paradiso on an 8 yard touchdown reception. The conversion snap went awry and the holder had to attempt a run, which failed, and George Mason led 20-14 with 10:12 left in the game.
The Hawks did not trail for long however, behind the running of Carter and the catches of Haley, Skyline marched down the field and scored on an 8 yard run by Carter. That put the Hawks up 21-20 with 7:09 remaining.
George Mason went 3 and out on their next possession, and chose to punt. They never got the ball back. The backbreaking play of the drive was a 34 yard catch and run by Carter on 3rd down, and the Hawks could take a knee in victory formation to end the game.
Carter ended the game with 87 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving. Haley had 5 catches forr 124 yards, Appleton was 10-16 for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Anthony Domino had 3 catches for 49 yards, including one on a throw from Maiatico on a halfback pass.
Plaks led the Mustangs with 175 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Papadopolous has 76 yards before leaving with an injury in the 2nd half.
The Hawks record improves to 4-4, and they travel to Brentsville next week. The Mustangs fall to 4-4.
Logan Maiatico capped off the Hawks opening drive with a 1 yard touchdown run with 9:03 left in the first quarter.
The Mustangs were moving the ball on their first possession behind a strong running game of Connor Plaks and George Papodopolous. But when faced with a 3rd and 14, George Mason went to the air, and while Evans Rice's pass was complete to Enzo Paradiso, the Hawks forced a fumble that was recovered by Alan Pinon-Santos.
After ineffective drives on the next possession for both teams, the Hawks extended their lead with 1:25 left in the first quarter when Blake Appleton connected with Budder Haley. It was the first play of the drive, and Haley broke a few tackles and then raced down the sideline for a 91 yard score.
George Mason cut into the Skyline lead on their next possession, as the Mustangs ran 10 straight rushing plays until Plaks ran it in from 9 yards out to make it 14-7 with 8:36 left in the 2nd quarter.
The Mustangs again hit the ground on their first drive of the 3rd quarter, running the ball on 17 plays straight before Plaks pushed it in from 3 yards out to tie it at 14 with 4:18 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Hawks had a promising next drive going behind the running of David Carter, but they could not turn it into points as Appleton's interception turned the ball back over to the Mustangs late in the 3rd quarter.
The Mustangs pounded the ground 5 plays straight to start off their next drive, but then went to the air on 3rd and goal as Rice hit Paradiso on an 8 yard touchdown reception. The conversion snap went awry and the holder had to attempt a run, which failed, and George Mason led 20-14 with 10:12 left in the game.
The Hawks did not trail for long however, behind the running of Carter and the catches of Haley, Skyline marched down the field and scored on an 8 yard run by Carter. That put the Hawks up 21-20 with 7:09 remaining.
George Mason went 3 and out on their next possession, and chose to punt. They never got the ball back. The backbreaking play of the drive was a 34 yard catch and run by Carter on 3rd down, and the Hawks could take a knee in victory formation to end the game.
Carter ended the game with 87 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving. Haley had 5 catches forr 124 yards, Appleton was 10-16 for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Anthony Domino had 3 catches for 49 yards, including one on a throw from Maiatico on a halfback pass.
Plaks led the Mustangs with 175 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Papadopolous has 76 yards before leaving with an injury in the 2nd half.
The Hawks record improves to 4-4, and they travel to Brentsville next week. The Mustangs fall to 4-4.
