In a battle that could have landed J.E.B. Stuart High School in a tie for first place in the National District, the Yorktown Patriots defeated the Raiders 24-0, last Friday night. The opening frame was marred by multiple turnovers, as both teams struggled to hold on to the football in what was the first cold weather game of the year. Stuart lost fumbles on their first two plays from scrimmage.
With less than seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, Yorktown took the lead with a touchdown. They would later add a 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter, by talented senior Michael Dola. Down 10-0, Stuart put together its first drive of the game to the Yorktown six-yard line. The drive was aided by a long catch and run by senior running back Chris Kirby. Several plays later, Chris Kirby fumbled at the two-yard line, ending Stuart’s best chance to climb back into the game. Late in the first half, Yorktown quarterback Jordan Smith connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Bailey in the end-zone. The Patriots led 17-0 at the half.
The Stuart defense held in the third quarter by forcing a punt and a turnover on downs from Yorktown. Down 17-0 towards the end of the third quarter, Stuart put together another 10 play drive that ended on the Yorktown 45-yard line, when a fake punt on fourth down did not fool the Patriot defense. Yorktown responded with 7:56 remaining in the game, when they scored one more touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Jordan Smith to David Bernhardt to put the game away for good.
Stuart struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Yorktown’s defensive line stifled the Raider rushing attack, leaving Chris Kirby and Sam Drigo little open space to exploit. Stuart quarterback Javonte Robinson was consistently under pressure, and was unable to connect on any deep passes, a signature of their offense through the first six games. Robinson was without his number one receiver, Mahdi Ibrahim, for the final three quarters, who sat due to a lower back injury sustained in the second quarter. With the loss, Stuart falls to 3-4 overall, with a 2-2 National District record. Stuart faces Hayfield this coming Friday night for their Homecoming Game at 7:30 p.m.
