Mason Puts Up a Good Fight, Falls to Madison

George Mason High School hung tough with heavily favored Madison County into the fourth quarter of their football game last Friday night, but the Mountaineers got a crucial defensive stop and then scored a late touchdown to notch a 20-7 victory.

When the evening began, it did not look like it would be a competitive game. On the opening kickoff, Mason risked an onsides attempt, but the gamble failed: Madison got the ball at midfield and scored in just two plays. Then on its very first offensive possession, Mason fumbled and the Mountaineers recovered.

But in a season when very few breaks have gone Mason’s way, finally one did: Madison gave the ball right back, as Mustang junior defender Spencer Trevisan tipped a pass attempt and sophomore Brian Crigler scooped it up for an interception. 

The score held at 7-0 through the end of the first quarter, when another Madison turnover, this time a fumble, gave Mason the ball near midfield. The Mustangs stitched together a 10-play scoring drive, featuring runs by junior Stephen Lubnow, senior Sebastian Askin and Crigler. The touchdown came when senior quarterback Tyler Duncan flipped a pass to Lubnow, who ran it in from 15 yards out. Sophomore kicker Henry Darmstadter added the PAT, tying the score at 7-7.

That’s where it stood until just before halftime, when on a fourth and long, Madison threw for the end zone and completed the pass for a touchdown.

The third quarter was largely a defensive show. When Madison moved into scoring range late in the quarter, a mad-dog blitz by Mason senior Mike Larcamp forced the fleeing Madison quarterback to throw the ball away on third down; the Mountaineers’ fourth down attempt was also denied, giving Mason the ball. Then came the Mustangs’ longest offensive play of the night, a 39-yard run by Crigler, into Madison territory. But the drive stalled, and Mason had to punt. Madison took over and scored their last touchdown with 6:54 left in the game. A final Mason possession got almost to midfield, but then two sacks and an incompletion closed the curtain on the Mustangs.

The loss dropped Mason’s record to 1-7; Madison improved to 6-1. After a bye this Friday, the Mustangs return to action at home Nov. 5 against Strasburg High School. At that game, all of Mason’s seniors participating in fall sports will be recognized.

 

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