The George Mason High School JV football team played two games on the road in six days and split the pair. The Mustangs won last week at Rappahannock County High School by a score of 28 – 8 and lost this week at Clarke County High School by a margin of 30 – 20.
Last Wednesday’s game at Rappahannock County had its own subplot, with a local outbreak of staph bacteria that had the Rappahannock athletic department scrambling to rearrange its schedule while simultaneously disinfecting football facilities and equipment. As a result, the Mason-Rappahannock JV game was moved back two days.
Mason took its own precautions against the bacteria, with the Mason athletic training staff traveling with trash bags to keep each players equipment separate and clean, cans of Lysol disinfectant and bandaging all nicks and scrapes before the game.
On the field, the highlight of the game was a fumble recovery by free safety Emily Pyne. “The whole sideline erupted when she did that,” said Mason coach Andre Jackson. “She can play. She survived August two-a-days. She’s not afraid and she is a huge football fan.”
In addition to Pyne’s contribution, Jamal McLean scored two touchdowns, while Tyler Hall and Yates Jordan scored one each. Jeremy Stewart also did a solid job in his outside linebacker position.
The Mason victory at Rappahannock set up a short week of preparation for the game at Clarke County.
The Mason coaching staff was geared up for this game to maintain respectability in the Bull Run District especially against Clarke who had beaten Mason soundly last year by a score of 38 – 14. But the Mustangs were not at full strength for the third straight game forcing the coaching staff to juggle the lineup which resulted in an inability to stop the Eagle’s potent running game.
Mason was down 16 – 14 at the end of the first half but was able to energize the second half by taking the second half kickoff all the way for a touchdown and the lead. Tyler Hall stood out by scoring all of the Mustangs touchdowns, but it was not enough to come away with the win.
The Mustangs' current record is 2 – 4, despite scoring 151 points this year and only giving up 132. “These stats don’t make any sense, which proves we can play with anyone. But we need to be able to put two complete halves together like we want to win,” said Coach Jackson.
The last game of the season is next Monday, Oct. 29 at home against Bull Run District foe Manassas Park. Game time is at 6:30 p.m. Admission to JV contests is free.
