On a warm Friday evening, defending state football champion Goochland High School hosted George Mason High School on the Bulldogs' homecoming night and dominated the Mustangs from start to finish. Final score: 41 – 14.
Although Goochland (5 – 0) almost totally retooled its offensive and defensive lines from a year ago due to graduations, its four-man running back rotation from last season returned intact. The backfield may be the best in the state at the Single A level and notably features the combination of D.J. Coles — a Virginia Tech football signee — and Jazz Hicks, who has signed to play baseball at the University of Virginia. Goochland racked up 464 total yards, all on the ground, compared to only 227 total yards for the Mustangs.
“Goochland is really good and we needed to be almost perfect to have success,” said Mustangs Head Coach Tom Horn. “They are solid at almost every position — athletically and skill-wise. Our players gave their best, but we did leave some plays on the field.”
Mason’s two scores came in the fourth quarter, concluding all scoring for the game. Quarterback Michael Schwengel hooked up with receiver Joel Chandler on a 31-yard touchdown toss and running back Kevin Millard scored on a five-yard run.
For Mason (3 – 2), the Mustang-Bulldog contest concludes the first half of the schedule with the Bull Run District portion of the schedule up next.
Asked about lessons learned from this game, Horn said, “We go back to work on Monday. We’re not down in any way. It just happened.”
At this same point a year ago, Mason was 1 – 4 by virtue of a 45 – 0 loss to Goochland. Mason then ran the table in the Bull Run District.
“You may remember, we were in this exact spot last year,” said Horn. “And this week, just like last year, each player is going to have to personally decide where we go from here. And, as a team, we are going to have to collectively decide how we are going to practice. We need to improve our focus, understanding what we do in practice will work on the field on game night.”
Mason begins the Bull Run District portion of the 2007 football campaign tomorrow night, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Madison County High School.
The Mustangs return to Falls Church next Friday, Oct. 19, for the Mason homecoming game. Mason will host Rappahannock County High School. Game time is 7:30 p.m., gates will open at 7 p.m.
