By Kyle Gotimer
LoCoSports Managing Editor
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Ashburn (November 2, 2015) – On Friday night, October 30, Potomac Falls High School (6-3) traveled to Stone Bridge High School (5-4) for a football match up that could define the final games of their seasons and playoff hopes. Stone Bridge defeated Potomac Falls, 20-17, in comeback fashion holding the Panthers scoreless in the second half.
Focusing on the run game — as Stone Bridge was unable to get its passing game going — the Bulldogs were able to overcome a 17-point deficit starting with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by senior receiver Chase Ridley with just two minutes left in the first half.
“We didn’t have any time for anybody in the passing game to make a play,” Stone Bridge head coach Mickey Thompson said. “We struggled being solid not turning people loose in the running game.”
Despite giving up 17 points in the first half to the strong Potomac Falls’ offense – led by senior quarterback Brady Williams – the Bulldog defense was able to buckle down and contain the Panthers in the second half giving their offense a chance to tighten the score and eventually take the lead.
“I’m glad we won. The grit and the battle, I liked the way we came back,” Thompson said. “There’s no other way to talk about it.”
As the clock wound down in the third quarter, Stone Bridge junior running back Joshua Breece broke free and went for a 66-yard rushing touchdown, putting Stone Bridge within three points and reigniting the intensity in the Bulldog offense.
“Breece runs hard every time, but we missed some holes tonight. He makes his own holes sometimes. If he’s going to miss some holes, he’s got to make his own holes,” Thompson said. “I’ll take what I get with Josh because he’s going to go hard every down.”
With just seven minutes left, down 17-14, Stone Bridge senior running back Dewayne Winston found room on the outside and ran for an 18-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the night, 20-17, the only lead they’d need to finish off the Panthers.
“In the first half, we were thinking we were going to pound it, but they stopped us,” Winston said. “But we came back out in the second half, we were dedicated to the run game and we got it done.”
Williams and the Panthers made their final push with two minutes left, but couldn’t convert. From there, Stone Bridge held on to win, 20-17.
“We just have to minimize the mistakes. They can be happy tonight and enjoy the weekend. But Monday they have to realize we need to correct somethings or it’s going to be a short season,” Thompson said. “They have the potential. Think about what it will be like if we play anywhere near our full potential.”
Scoring Plays:
1Q 6:15 PF Alex Nemer 34-yard FG
2Q 10:01 PF Kash Jackson 4-yard TD run (Nemer PAT)
2Q 2:56 PF Brady Williams 1-yard TD run (Nemer PAT)
2Q 1:51 SB Chase Ridley 1-yard TD run (PAT failed)
3Q 0:30 SB Joshua Breece 66-yard TD run (2pt good)
4Q 7:00 SB Dewayne Winston 18-yard TD run (PAT failed)
