By Daniel Donovan
A week after defeating Rappahannock County High School 48-0, the program’s largest away win in the last decade, the George Mason High School varsity football team returned home to take on 5A opponents Wakefield High school. This time, the Mustangs (1-1) were on the losing end of a shut out, a 42-0 loss to the Warriors.
It didn’t take long for the Warriors to get on the board. Junior running back Leon Young capped off a five-play drive for the Mustangs with a 20-yard rushing touchdown to put Wakefield ahead 7-0.
The Warriors added to their lead on their next possession when senior quarterback Riley Wilson connected with senior wide receiver Marqua Walton for a 15-yard touchdown pass to extend their lead to 14-0.
After yet another unproductive offensive series, the Mustangs’ punt was returned 55 yards by Young for a touchdown, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty. The penalty proved to be futile.
On the next play, Wilson connected with senior wide receiver Zain Khokar for a 55-yard pass to the 3-yard line. Then junior running back Kareem Hall punched it in to put Wakefield up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Warriors added another touchdown before the half and took a 28-0 lead into the locker room.
The beginning of the second half showed a glimmer of promise for the Mason team. The opening kickoff was fumbled by Wakefield and recovered by the Mustangs, setting up their best field position of the night. But Mason was unable to capitalize and Wakefield regained possession after four downs.
Wakefield’s offense picked up right where they left off as they drove 80 yards down the field. Hall finished off the drive with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. After a Mason turnover within their own 25-yard line, Young scored on a 19-yard run later in the third quarter to put the Warriors ahead by the final score of 42-0.
The run capped off a monster night for Young, who finished with 166 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The same couldn’t be said for Mason’s star running back, junior D’Montae Noble.
Noble had his way on the ground, running for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns, when Mason faced Wakefield in 2013.
With that in mind, Wakefield head coach Wayne Hogwood said his team’s entire defensive strategy this time around was centered around stopping Noble.
“If [Noble] would have went to the bathroom during the game, my players would have followed him” said Hogwood.
The game plan worked as Noble was limited to 46 yards rushing on 14 carries. With the Mustangs’ running back stalled, Mason was unable to generate virtually any offense.
Mason head coach Tony Green said that the Mustangs have put the tough loss behind them and are only looking ahead to this Friday’s game against Luray.
“We’re not worrying about the past, we’re looking ahead to our District schedule to get ready for a playoff push” said Green. “We’ve got to go down to Luray and handle our business.”
