Cavs Lose First Football Game 48-7

The Cavaliers opened the 2012 football season Thursday night on the road at Chantilly High School, taking on the highly-ranked Chargers. Woodson entered the game having dropped its last three contests against Chantilly, and the 2012 match-up proved no different as the speedy Chargers topped the Cavaliers 48–7. 

Despite the setback, Woodson showed promise on both sides of the ball, particularly in the fourth quarter. The Cavs hope to build on that late game momentum in next Friday’s home opener against James Madison of Vienna.

Chantilly immediately jumped into the lead against Woodson when DeAndre Harris returned the Cavs’ opening kickoff nearly the length of the field for a quick score. Only 14 seconds into game Woodson trailed 7–0. After the score, senior Ryan Adamus’ fine kick return set up Woodson’s first offensive series at its 28 yard line. The drive stalled soon afterward, however, when a third down incompletion forced Woodson to punt.

The Chargers took possession at their own 40 yard line after the punt and found the end zone quickly once again.  After Harris’ long run to Woodson’s five yard line, Chantilly’s Ross Simms capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run at the 8:55 mark of the first quarter to move the Chargers ahead 14 – 0.

Woodson’s second offensive series looked promising when pass completions from senior QB Andrew MacKay to sophomores Conor McLaughlin and Will Cogan, and a third down run by senior Napolean Augustin moved the Cavs into Charger territory.

The drive was cut short at that point when Chantilly’s Tommy Vance picked off a Cavalier pass and returned it to Woodson’s 11 yard line. The Chargers scored in short order to push their lead to 21–0 with 4:29 left in the first quarter.

In the second quarter Woodson’s passing game showed some spark with MacKay connecting on completions to senior Peter Murray and Cogan.  Even with the ball movement the Cavs could not muster a serious scoring drive.  Meanwhile, Chantilly added three more scores to take 42–0 halftime lead.

Chantilly’s scoring pace slowed in the second half as they rested some starters and Woodson’s defense stiffened. The Chargers did add a third quarter touchdown, but Woodson broke through to block the extra point try, keeping the score 48 – 0.

The Cavaliers’ offense finally hit stride late in the game. Relying on solid running by junior Christian Collins and senior Joe Carter, Woodson moved deep into Chantilly territory hoping to get on the scoreboard. Then, with less three minutes to play, Carter ensured that the Cavs would not be shutout when he rounded left end on a seven yard touchdown run.

Carter’s score and sophomore Jacob Oleyar’s extra point were the final points of the night, as the closing whistle sounded with Chantilly solidly in front  48 - 7.