Varsity Football
Mustangs 3-0 in District after Win over Clarke County, 35-12
Unbeaten
Cougars Loom Friday Night
By
Gregg Curtin (November
1,
2005)
The Mustang defense proved to be a dangerous factor of the
Bull-Run District last Friday night, holding the Clarke County Eagles to
12 points and their quarterback Lee Liggins to less than 100 total rushing
yards.
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The tone of the game was set in the
opening minutes, as the Mustangs quickly forced the Eagles to punt
and turned their first offensive possession into an early six points.
The cluster of Mustang running backs took the offense to work, with
50 total offensive plays, 273 total rushing yards, and 40 yards
passing. Travis Greene stacked up numbers onto his career stats,
with four rushing touchdowns and 142 total rushing yards.
The Mustangs were able to hold the shutout
until the second quarter when the Clarke County offense
was able to drive down to the Mustang three-yard line, where Liggins
took the ball into the end zone for Clarke’s first points of the
game.
Senior running back John Schwengel took the initiative,
and broke through Clarke’s point-after team to solely block the
extra point and keep Clarke to six points. |
| The
Mustangs and Cougars take a break in the action during last Friday’s
thrilling home victory for Mason. The Mustangs stand at 3-0 in
the district after taking care of Clarke County 35-12.
Now the battle of the unbeatens looms as the Mustangs prepare for Friday night’s
away game against Manassas Park.
(Photo by Jennifer Saldana) |
As the offensive unit took the ball to start off the
second half, the Mustangs kept their composure and intensity as they
were able to score on seven-yard and four-yard runs from Travis Greene,
and a two-yard run from junior Eddie Huber to end the game. The Clarke
County Eagles found the end zone only once during the half, with a 39-yard
pass from Liggins to Matt Jarvis down the left sideline to give them
13 points after a failed two-point conversion attempt.
The Mustang defense and secondary
showed strength by holding the Eagles’ quarterback to five completions out of 14 attempts,
and making two interceptions. The defensive line and linebackers were
able to put pressure on Liggins throughout the game, with a few big
hits and sacks to keep the Eagles’ offense off its feet.
Now improving their district record
to 3-0, the Mustangs are preparing for their biggest game of the season
against the undefeated
Manassas Park Cougars. The Cougars are the only other unbeaten team
in the district, still maintaining a 35-game winning streak from last
season’s state championship victory.
The Mustangs have reasons for optimism;
however, as the Mustangs’ coaching staff believes that the Mustangs have the athletic
ability and the drive to match or beat the Cougars’ players for the
first time in many seasons past. Kickoff is at 7:30
p.m. Friday at Manassas Park.
