No Big Plays Meant No Playoffs For GMHS Football

Despite a successful season that landed ten different George Mason High School players on the All-Bull Run District Football team, the Mustangs found themselves narrowly missing out on the Region B playoffs last week, finishing with a record of 5-5 (2-2 in the Bull Run District).

While the Mustangs gritted through the season, often overcoming a substantial size disadvantage through hard work and determination, a lack of pivotal plays in crucial situations likely accounted for the somewhat disappointing result, according to Head Coach Tom Horn. “What we didn’t do this season was make the big play,” Horn said. “We didn’t shut the door and we never came back from a deficit.

“We have very, very good players, but we need to have their ability match their desire. I believe a lot of that happens in the off-season.”

The season kicked off on a high note for the Mason, and while the win didn’t count in the team’s season record, the 33-18 victory over Falls Church High School in the Outback Bowl started the Mustangs out in the right direction. But with the beginning of regular season play, Mason couldn’t build on the previous week’s momentum, getting shut out by Broad Run by the score of 27-0, and falling the next week to Stonewall Jackson 19-16.

The Mustangs finally broke into the win column against William and Monroe, but now faced an uphill battle to make the postseason. After the rough start, Horn pointed to one play in particular that seemed to jumpstart his team — a 70-yard run by senior Stephen Williams in the Mustangs 21-0 win over Covington.

“With that run it re-invigorated Stephen’s pursuit of 1,000 yards (he finished with 1094) and it gave our offensive line the feeling that we weren’t just going to run the ball for three yards every play.” But a loss the following week to Goochland, further set back the Mustangs’ postseason hopes.

“The moment that led us down the path of 5-5 and struggling to stay in the race was the recalled touchdown at Goochland,” Horn said of a would-be score negated by a penalty. “After losing that game we knew how tough it was going to be to make the playoffs because we knew we’d be competing against Goochland for that spot. And we were right, since Goochland made it and we didn’t.”

With their record standing at 2-3, the Mustangs began district play winning three straight against Madison, Rappahannock and Clarke County, but due to their early-season short comings, Mason was faced with two must-win games against district powers Manassas Park and Strasburg. In both cases, the Mustangs fell just short.

“I think if we were playing Strasburg at 6-3, our kids would have been slightly more inspired,” Horn said. “Our kids are too smart not to figure out that at that point we didn’t have a shot at making the playoffs.”

This season was also the first played under the lights at Moore Cadillac Stadium, provided through the fundraising efforts of the George Mason Athletic Boosters and a sponsorship deal with Moore Cadillac which gave the local car dealership the naming rights to the stadium. “It was nice,” recalls Horn. “The walk to the field was just long enough and high profile enough to give the feeling that you were going into the arena. Attendance was up. And I think to some extent they helped take the edge off our early game nerves. We were very productive early at home. Our kids responded well to it.”

The Mustangs bid farewell to a number of productive seniors this spring. They lose Williams to graduation, along with three All-District linemen in Andrew Campanelli, Danny Johnson and Will Straub. The Mustangs also lose senior All-District linebacker Paul Stroup (41 tackles, 35 assists). Matt Lemen (32 tackles, 12 assists), Nils-Peter Ek, Mike Isom (three interceptions), Alex Assefa, Michael Piccariello and Alex Robertson will also graduate in the spring.

Notable returners include running back/defensive back Travis Greene (904 yards, 8 TDs and a team-high 5 INTs defensively), running back John Schwengel (536 yards rushing, 132 receiving yards, 5 TDs), quarterback Eric Blush (22 of 61 for 434 yards, 4 TDs and 6 INTs), defensive lineman Ryan Larcamp (36 tackles, 22 assists), linebacker Eddie Huber (the team’s leading tackler with 48, including 10 for a loss) and kick-returner Jimmy Piscopo.

“We always have to combat the complacency that comes with baseline achievement,” Horn said. “They can’t just walk out as third-year starters and feel they’re good enough. The past two seasons should be a lesson for them. As sophomores they made the playoffs. As juniors they watched a season that could have been.”