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Sports

Woodson Cavaliers Lose Last Game of Football Season

W.T. Woodson Cavaliers vs. South County Stallions at W.T. Woodson

The Cavaliers wrapped up their 2011 gridiron campaign at home on Friday night against the Patriot District champion South County Stallions.  The game was played in front of large, festive Senior Night crowd at Pat Cunningham Stadium, but at the end of the evening the Cavs found themselves on the losing end of the 24 – 6 final score.

South County won the coin toss and wasted little time jumping out to an early lead.  The Stallions took the opening kickoff and then mixed several runs and a key third down pass completion to move deep into Cavaliers’ territory.  Timmy Hunt capped the scoring drive with a touchdown run to give the Stallions the lead only minutes into the game.

Woodson failed to move the ball on its first series and was forced to punt.  Back on offense, the Stallions continued their scoring ways on their second possession.  This time, Andrew Rector plowed into the end zone on a short touchdown run to help put the Stallions in front, 14 – 0 midway through the first quarter.

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After the score, the game settled down into a back-and-forth contest with the teams exchanging turnovers and punts until just before halftime.  Then, with less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, Woodson moved deep into South County territory only to face a fourth down and goal from inside the Stallions’ five-yard line.  The Cavaliers tried to run left on fourth down, but the play was stuffed by the Stallions and the score remained 14 – 0 at halftime.

In the second half Woodson’s offense was able to move the ball at times against the Stallions’ staunch defense, which has surrendered an average of less than 10 points a game this year.  But, despite some success on the ground and in the air, Woodson could not move into scoring position in the third quarter.

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The Stallions, however, were able to get on the scoreboard in the third and fourth quarter with a field goal and short touchdown run to move into the lead 24 – 0. 

Late in the fourth quarter the game appeared to be headed for Stallions’ shutout when the Cavaliers’ offense finally broke through.  With under a minute to go in the game, Cavs’ QB Stephen Tapp connected with Jack Wecker on a slant pass near midfield.  Wecker hauled in the catch and outran two Stallion defenders into the end zone for a 61-yard touchdown. 

The score put a celebratory cap on what was a frustrating game and season for the Cavs, who finished the year with a 2 – 8 overall record, including a 2 – 5 mark in the Patriot District, under first-year head coach Joe Dishun.  Despite its record, Woodson played competitive football throughout the year, which was highlighted by back-to-back wins against fabled Northern Virginia football programs T.C. Williams and Annandale. Woodson’s seniors persevered during the season’s highs and lows, providing valuable leadership to the younger Cavaliers.  With a full year in a new system now under its belt, Woodson hopes to build on lessons learned to have a successful 2012 season.  

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