Football: Stone Bridge Headed to Third State Title Game in Five Years After 23-20 Win Over Massaponax

By Dan Sousa

VivaLoudoun.com Editor

Ashburn (Dec. 6, 2009) - The Stone Bridge High School single wing run game was stuck in the mud in Sunday's AAA Division 5 state semifinal against Massaponax, but the Bulldogs gutted their way to the schools third state title appearance in five years on the strength of two long touchdown passes and a defense that gave up yardage, but forced five turnovers, including three fumble recoveries by junior Spenser Rositano.

"We struggled all day. We were over matched in some situations and we just kept at them," said Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson who will match his Bulldogs up with Tidewater area powerhouse Phoebus for the third straight postseason, this time with the state title on the line Saturday at noon at UVa's Scott Stadium.

Stone Bridge (13-1) and Phoebus (14-0) have combined for the last three Division 5 state titles with the Bulldogs winning in 2007. That season, Stone Bridge beat Phoebus at home, 38-24, in the semifinals, but last year the Phantoms returned the favor with a 38-8 state semifinal win at home over SB.

Photo Gallery by Craig Sterbutzel: Football - Stone Bridge vs. Massaponax, D5 State Semifinal

Some great shots by Craig! Click on any photo to enjoy the entire gallery ... plenty of time to order those holiday presents (hint, hint)!

Football Box: Stone Bridge 23, Massaponax 20 (Division 5 State Semifinal)

Football Box: Stone Bridge 23, Massaponax 20 (Division 5 State Semifinal)
Game played Dec. 6, 2009 in Ashburn, Va.

M - 6 7 7 0 - 20
SB - 7 8 8 0 - 23

1: SB - Johnson 60 pass from Gouveia (Rositano kick) 11:06 (Drive: 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:54)
1: M - Robinson 80 run (kick failed) 9:14 (Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:16)
2: SB - Harris 1 run (Harris run) 6:28 (Drive: 3 plays, 16 yards, 1:07)
2: M - Robinson 1 run (Samuels kick) 0:27 (Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 2:39)
3: M - Latney 45 punt return (Samuels kick) 7:53
3: SB - Lambke 76 pass from Rody (Harris run) 6:53 (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 1:00)

Rushing
Massaponax: Robinson 18-137, Latney 17-61, Harris 6-27, Perrin 2-10, Wyche 2-9. Totals 45-244.
Stone Bridge: Harris 21-38, Rositano 1-12, Rody 3-3, Gouveia 3-(-6), team 2-(-6). Totals 30-41.
Passing
Massaponax: Robinson 3-9-1 60.
Stone Bridge: Gouveia 2-2-0 75, Rody 4-10-0 103. Totals 6-12-0 178.
Receiving
Massaponax: Harris 2-31, Chandler 1-29.
Stone Bridge: Lambke 1-76, Johnson 2-72, Rositano 3-30.

Football: Another “Average” Year for Stone Bridge as Bulldogs Once Again are One Win from State Title Game

By Dan Sousa
VivaLoudoun.com Editor

Ashburn (Dec. 3, 2009) – For four years the current Stone Bridge High School senior football class has heard about how “average” they were compared to previous classes including last year’s bumper crop of blue chip recruits that made it to the state semifinals, the 2007 state title team, the 2006 squad with talented backs Y’Lou Brown and Jeron Gouveia, and the 2005 state runner-up squad.

It all started their freshman year when they suited up for a freshman program that legend told had never lost a single game and the young Bulldogs went out and not only lost, but lost big, such as 50-0 at Langley, and they finished the year at 4-6.

Average. Everybody said that this year, after so many years of success and after graduating basically 20 of 22 starters, the Bulldogs were finally going to be an average team.

And sure enough these Bulldogs are simply average … for a Stone Bridge football team … one loss in 13 games and a regional title and the right to host Saturday’s VHSL AAA Division 5 state semifinal against Massaponax.

One win away from a third trip to the state finals in three years. Yes, this is another average Stone Bridge season.

“They still want to keep playing,” said Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson, who has guided the Bulldogs to an incredible 104-21 record in 10 seasons since the school opened including six regional titles and a 20-6 playoff mark. “I think this team feels like they are not anywhere close to being done.”