Football Briefs: Falls Church Smacks Marshall; McLean Equals 2003 Win Total

Football Briefs

Falls Church H.S. – 47, Marshall H.S. – 7

Coming off a winless season in 2003, Marshall High School had a glimmer of hope that 2004 might hold better tidings after prevailing in a pre-season scrimmage against Wakefield. But Falls Church High School snuffed out any hope of a season-opening win for the Statesmen, as the Jaguars prevailed handily.

James Gannon led all regional quarterbacks completing 12 of 18 pass attempts for 271 yards. and four touchdowns. Running back Eddie Robinson rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns, with one touchdown reception.

Falls Church travels to face Madison Friday at 7:30 p.m., while Marshall heads across the city to J.E.B. Stuart. That game is also at 7:30 p.m.

McLean H.S. – 14, W&L H.S. – 9

The Highlander defense stopped the Generals on fourth and goal at the four-yard line to preserve the victory. With the win, McLean and new Head Coach Rick Rivera have already equaled the team’s win total from 2003 when the team finished 1-9.

Quarterback J.D. Oldenburg completed 14 of 23 passes for 136 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brendan Griffin. Griffin finished with five catches for 53 yards. Tom Haffey added 53 yards on six receptions.

McLean running back Billy Corey rushed for 103 yards on 25 carries.

Running back Dan Cavanaugh finished with 112 yards and a touchdown for the Generals while receiver Mike Grant contributed 60 yards on nine receptions.

Broad Run H.S. – 27, George Mason H.S. – 0

The under-sized Mustangs struggled for a foothold against their larger foe with a controversial call that negated a touchdown and a late-game interception keeping Mason off of the scoreboard. Running back Travis Greene led the Mustangs with 52 yards on 16 carries while quarterback Eric Blush was stifled by the Broad Run defense. Completing just three of 13 pass attempts and getting intercepted twice.

“I’m not disappointed in the way we played — I’m not thrilled that we got thumped mind you — but after being a little shell shocked early I think we stepped up and played a very good team as close to toe-to-toe as we were going to get,” Mason Head Coach Tom Horn said. “In the second half I thought we were as physical as we have been in a couple years.”

The Mustangs open their season at home Friday against Stone Wall Jackson at 7:30 p.m. The game will be the first night game for the Mustangs at newly-christened Moore Cadillac Stadium. Despite a 9-0 Mustang victory last season, Jackson hasn’t allowed a Mason touchdown in 18 quarters, a stretch dating back to 1999.

W.T. Woodson H.S. – 62, J.E.B. Stuart H.S. – 0

Stuart, which finished the 2003 season with a record of 2-8, endured a titanic loss to non-district foe W.T. Woodson. Woodson running back Matt Nickerson scored six touchdowns, or once every two times he touched the ball, to lead the route.

Stuart will look to rebound Friday at home against fellow-blowout victim Marshall at 7:30 p.m.