Compared to last week's high octane contest this game was a comparative dud for the George Mason High School JV football offense. Last week the Mustang offense scored 34 points — this week the offense coughed up the ball four times and scored only once. Mason searched for consistency all game long and the visiting squad from Flint Hill School won 14-7.

All of the points in the low-scoring affair were posted on the scoreboard by the time the halftime whistle sounded. When asked about the lack of production in the second half, Mason Coach Andre Jackson said, “We could only move the ball in spurts and the penalties really hurt us.

“This week was a total reversal for us,” Jackson continued. “Our defense couldn't stop the Potomac School last week, this week our defense forced four Flint Hill turnovers and came up with some really big stops down near our goal line.”

With many Mason players suiting up for the first time this season, Jackson was asked how learning the game and the Mason system factored into the game.

“Even with a lot of new players, we have to be ready to play,” he said. “When the whistle blows on game day, you have to be ready for the unexpected. We couldn't get it together. Our lack of concentration showed in many missed blocking assignments, receivers not running their routes and false starts.”

Even given those mistakes, Jackson said the team is not without its strengths.

“Although we do have a lot of new players on the team this year, everyone is working hard. We do have some experience — our returning players, particularly our backfield is solid. We have good speed.”

The Mason Mustangs get a chance to pull it all together in a significant way next Monday when the team travels to Strasburg. The game will be the first of the Bull Run District portion of the schedule.