As the season reaches week three for most of the Alexandria area football teams, five schools posted wins while four posted losses this past weekend.
Edison 22
South County 3
On the winning side of the equation, powerhouse Edison, coached by veteran Vaughn Lewis, dismantled the South County Stallions 22-3, and now stands at 3-0 on the young season.
The National District Eagles, with victories over three Patriot District schools thus far (R.E. Lee, West Springfield and South County), scored early and often against the Stallions.
The Eagles logged one first-quarter TD and two second -quarter TDs en route to a solid 22-0 lead at halftime.
Junior QB Levi Barber had a hand in all three Eagle scores.
Barber, younger brother of former Eagle standout Ben Barber (08), handed off to senior running back Stephon Robertson on each of the first two scores.
Robertson scored from 15 and 35 yards out.
Later in the second quarter, Barber connected with junior Christian Washington on a 23-yard scoring hookup.
Barber later commented, We wanted to go out, go hard and go strong versus South County.
On the night, Billy Arnez added two of two PATs and Corey Washington accounted for one successful two-point conversion via the run.
Coach Lewis, in his second stint at Edison, recorded his 100th career victory at the helm of the Eagles with the 22-3 win.
Mount Vernon 38
Thomas Jefferson 0
Also in the win column, National District southern-most member, Mount Vernon, logged an impressive 38-0 win versus District member Thomas Jefferson to improve to 2-1 overall on the season. The Majors have defeated T.C. Williams and Jefferson and have dropped a game to West Potomac.
The Majors, coached by veteran Tom Glynn, erupted for 21 unanswered first-quarter points en route to a decisive 28-0 halftime lead.
On the day, Mount Vernon logged five total TDs and one successful field goal.
Standout QB Brian Green had a direct hand in the Majors first four scores.
The senior connected with junior Sean Stewart on a 73-yard scoring strike and also bootlegged into the end zone from 27, 27 and 17 yards out, effectively eluding Jefferson Colonial defenders all night.
Regarding the TD pass, Brian Green commented, It was a fake to the fullback. I read the defender. I audibled and hit Sean who was running a fade pattern.
Mount Vernons third quarter TD was recorded by junior Dannish Decardi-Nelson on a brilliant 53-yard punt return.
Junior placekicker Colin Amereau was equally proficient on the night.
Amereau successfully booted five of five PATs and also added a 27-yard field goal. All in, Amereau accounted for eight of the Majors 38 points.
Episcopal 16
Flint Hill 13
Also in the win column, Episcopal High School kicked off their 2008 season in dramatic fashion.
The Maroon and Black, coached by veteran Mark Gowin, defeated Northern Virginia private school rival Flint Hill 16-13.
The IAC Maroon surged to a 13-0 lead early on, before the MAC Huskies stormed back towards the end of the first half to tie the contest 13-13.
In the decisive second half, right out of the blocks, Episcopal embarked on a 20-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in a 30-yard field goal by senior placekicker Sam Dashiell.
Despite approximately 14 minutes remaining in the game, Dashiells successful boot turned out to be what ultimately decided the contest.
Stated Dashiell, I booted five of seven field goals last year. On this one right here, William Wren snapped and Alex Helm held.
During the key drive, the Maroon utilized two different QBs – starting signal caller Alex Helm and wide receiver/backup QB Hunter de Butts.
Helm was injured early in the 20-play sequence, but came back later in the lone scoring drive of the second half.
The ball carrier that did yeomens work in sustaining the key drive of the game was Episcopal tri-captain Brandt Gess.
The senior logged a number of key runs and kept the Flint Hill Huskie defense on their heels.
Said Gess after the game,- There was a lot of hard work that went into this victory.
Flint Hill had the ball four more times in the game, but came up empty on each occasion.
On Flint Hill offensive series A, Episcopal sophomore Francis Brunet intercepted the ball; on series B, the Maroon blocked an attempted Huskie field goal; on series C, Flint Hill turned the ball over on downs; and on series D, time literally ran out for the Huskies.
Episcopal, which had won their final two contests of the 07 season, celebrated with a key win to commence the 08 season.
Also on a winning note, Patriot District powerhouse West Potomac improved to 3-0 with a convincing 51-27 win versus National District heavyweight Yorktown.
The Wolverines, coached by veteran Eric Henderson, have now defeated Centreville, Mount Vernon and Yorktown.
St. Stephens/St. Agnes of the IAC improved to 2-0 on the young season with a solid 29-11 victory versus Norfolk Academy.
The Saints, coached by veteran Dave Holm, have now defeated St. Christophers (Richmond) and Norfolk Academy.
T.C. Williams 23
Oakton 39
Coming up short, T.C. Williams, coached by Dennis Randolph in his second season, dropped a 39-23 contest to Oakton. The Patriot District Titans now weigh-in at 0-3.
Bishop Ireton 17
Bishop McNamara 28
Bishop Ireton, coached by Tony Verducci, dropped a 28-17 contest to Bishop McNamara. The Independent Cardinals now weigh-in at 1-2.
Hayfield 7
Westfield 48
Hayfield, coached by veteran Billy Pugh, dropped a 48-7 contest to Westfield. The Patriot District Hawks now weigh-in at 1-2.
