Football: VHSL Division 5 State Title Game - Stone Bridge vs. Phoebus

When: Dec. 12, 2009
Where: Virginia's Scott Stadium in Charlottesville
Kickoff: 12:05 p.m.
Tickets: $10 (includes Division 6 contest as well!)

The Teams: Stone Bridge Bulldogs (13-1) vs. Phoebus Phantoms (14-0)
Seems Like Old Times: This is the third straight year these two powerhouses meet with SB winning in the 2007 state semifinals on the way to the state title and Phoebus winning last year on the way to their second title in three years.
Phantom Menace: Stone Bridge's 38-24 win over Phoebus two years ago is all that stands between the Phantoms and a chance at four straight state titles Saturday.
100 Win in 4 Years!: These two teams have combined for a 107-6 record in the past four years with Phoebus 55-2 and Stone Bridge 52-4.

Dan Sousa's 5 Keys to Victory for Stone Bridge
1. Move the Chains. In the first three playoff wins, SB utilized an almost sleep-inducing ball control that relied on three yards a play to move the chains, often converting 4th-and-short. In the state semifinals, the Bulldogs weren't not able to do this in the mud against Massaponax and it almost cost them the game. Simply put, they must play "keep away" from the Phantoms. For inspiration the 2009 team can review tape of the 2007 game-clinching touchdown drive by Stone Bridge ... a drive that still has some Phoebus fans shaking their heads.

2. No Big Plays. In last year's 38-8 loss to Phoebus the Bulldogs gave up a touchdown off a turnover on their first play from scrimmage. Last week against Massaponax the Bulldogs gave up an 80 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. SB may want to jump offsides on the first play Saturday to get this behind them. Seriously, Phoebus on a dry turf field will get its points but SB has to make sure that the Phantoms work for the scores with long drives.

3. Find the Bouncing Ball. The most incredible thing about Stone Bridge recovering five fumbles last week (yes, four fumbles and one kickoff muff, but basically a fumble) is that recovering balls hasn't been SB's strongest suit this season. Spenser Rositano's three fumble recoveries ... were his first three all year! If and when the Phantoms put the ball on the turf Saturday, the Bulldogs must be ready to pounce. Our crystal ball says that at least one blindside hit on the QB by Rob Burns -- the kid appears to be 7-foot tall now and growing each day -- ought to account for at least one fumble. If it is cold tomorrow, like today, expect some jarring hits to cause fumbles.

4. A Star Must Be Born. We really don't care whom it is but a state title game begs for a "Star to be Born". Think back to 2007 and the game that WR Ryan Moody had. In 2005 against Stone Bridge it was Tyrod Taylor making the game-changing plays. Our vote for tomorrow is Spenser Rositano with two blocked field goals to save wins this season, but don't count out Dexter Rogers who is our pick for a "Pick 6" in the state title game. And there is Marcus Harris, who takes a beating with 30-plus carries, but also had an amazing fingertip catch in the regional title game. All of these players are known locally but after tomorrow they can be state-wide names assuming their star is born.

5. Win the Chess Match. Phoebus basically spent 12 months plotting its revenge against Stone Bridge last season and it worked. Stone Bridge, you can bet, may not say it publicly, but the Bulldogs coaching staff has been keeping an eye on the Phantoms and now the question is, which coaching staff can come up with the adjustments, the wrinkles, the unexpected formations or plays that might give their team the edge in a close contest. Win or lose, you can make a strong case that SB coach Mickey Thompson and his staff have done their best coaching job in the 10 years since the school opened, considering the current senior class had been pegged from their freshman year as the school's "weakest class ever" ... and yet they are one win away from a state championship. If you know Coach Thompson ... he won't be happy for settling for a moral victory. He wants to bring home the school's second state title in three years.

Phoebus Scoring Report

More of Dan Sousa's: Phoebus Links