Allen Iverson Comes Home to N.N. Boys and Girls Club for Dinner and Presents

NBA Hall-of-Famer Allen Iverson
gave gifts to 50 local youths last
Tuesday at his old Boys and Girls
Club in Newport News, VA.

As seen in Daily Press on 12/21/2016

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-allen-iverson-boys-and-girls-club-1220-20161220-story.html

Allen Iverson came home for Christmas.

More specifically, Iverson was in Newport News on Tuesday night to donate toys and gifts, and provide a barbeque dinner for 50 children at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Hampton Roads.

While this visit followed a similar gathering in Portsmouth last night, there was a special significance to Tuesday’s event.

“Allen grew up in this Boys and Girls Club. This is where he learned to play sports and learned to grow,” said Hal Smith, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, adding that Iverson split his formative years between the Greater Hampton Roads Club on Hampton Ave., and another club on Shell Road. “It’s incredible to see the generosity he has given to kids in this community.”

Iverson made sure to remind the youths on hand at every opportunity that this is where he came from. While scooping food in the middle of a line of eight servers, that included Congressman Bobby Scott, Iverson talked to the kids, alternately reminding them that they could be anything they want to be, and then pointing out fellow Dallas Cowboy fans in the crowd.

At one point, Iverson put his arm around mother Ann, who sported a #33 Tony Dorsett jersey, and told a group of two dozen children, “I’m right here where you’re all from. And this is who I listen to – my Mom. Listen to your Mom and do what she tells you.”

While some of the youngsters were unaware of their host’s accomplishments as an athlete, two young men needed no explanation.

“Oh, I know who he is! He’s a legend,” said ten-year old Samuel Bates, adding that he is also a basketball player, with the AAU Vikings.

Nine-year old James Neal was also well aware of Iverson’s athletic stature, although he noted that “I have only seen him on video games and TV.”

Tuesday night was all about the kids. “I love being able to do this,” said the 2016 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Asked about the best part of his life since becoming a Hall-of-Famer, he added, “Being a 24-7 Dad to my kids. Being a better parent.” At one point in the evening, he held his own cell phone up to a group of kids and instructed them to “tell MY kids.. HEY-Y-Y!!”

Iverson’s charisma was on full display throughout the evening, and the kids returned the energy. After they gathered for dinner among six tables spread across the midcourt of the gym, the group congregated in a semicircle near the free throw line for a raffle drawing of gifts. After waiting a couple of minutes for their ticket puller and announcer (Iverson), the kids joined in a rally cry of “Come on Chuck!,” a slightly veiled reference to Iverson’s “Bubba Chuck” nickname from his teenage days at Bethel High.

For James “Poo” Johnson, the event brought back memories, back to days when the main attraction was another one of the kids in the gym. Johnson devoted 45 years to youth development with the Boys and Girls Club, and Iverson was one of his pet projects. But not the only one.

“I’m as proud of him as I am a guy that works at the shipyard,” said Johnson. “But I have to treat him like I treat everybody else.”

For one night at Christmas time, Allen Iverson was back where he started.

ALL-STAR WEEKEND - GAME #2 - The VHSCA All-Star Game Ends Tied at 28

by Jim McGrath, recruit757

HAMPTON — In a game as wild and wooly as the weather surrounding it, the Red and Blue teams degrees, but ended with bouts of heavy rain and wind. In the end, it was the player who possibly traveled the farthest to participate that decided the game’s outcome.
of Virginia squared off at Darling Stadium on Sunday for the VHSCA All-Star Game. The players traveled from all over Virginia to take part in the game, which started with weather conditions of sunny and 75

With ten seconds remaining and trailing 27-24, the Red Team, coached by South County’s Gerry Pannoni, faced fourth down-and-three at the Blue 20-yard line. Pannoni looked in the direction of his kicker, Jordon Stout, from tiny Honaker High School, located deep in the southwest corner of the state, just 40 miles southeast of Elkhorn City, Kentucky. Earlier in the quarter, and with a chance to tie the game, Stout had attempted a 37-yard kick that cleared the crossbar and would have made the distance from 55 yards. However, the ball went over the goal post and was ruled a miss.

Stout would not miss a second time. His second 37-yard attempt was perfect, ensuring the tie.

“I was hoping for another chance,” said Stout, who is being recruited heavily by Virginia Tech, Arkansas and Bowling Green. “The first one went over the goalpost, and I thought they were going to call it good.”

Stout would have one more important kick, as the Reds’ special teams still had to make a stop on Hampton’s electrifying return man, Dazz Newsome, on the ensuing kickoff.

That prospect was not a guarantee. In the first quarter, Newsome had provided the game’s most exciting play. Standing at midfield awaiting a punt, the ball bounced ten yards in front of the Virginia Tech-bound Newsome, who looked as if he would allow the Red team to down the ball. However, on the third bounce, and amidst a trio of Red special teamers, Newsome grabbed the ball out of midair and started running through the middle of the coverage. Once he reached the 25, Newsome broke toward the right sideline and scored on an improbable 52-yard return, which gave the Blues a 14-3 lead.

On the final kickoff, Stout and the Red team managed to avoid Newsome by kicking the ball into the end zone. On the next play, Brady Dodson intercepted an errant Blue pass, but the Reds last-ditch pass with three seconds to go sailed wide.

The Red team got on the board first. After an interception gave them possession at the Blue 45, Jake Sturgill (Abingdon) found Elijah Smith (Stafford) for a 16-yard pass. A personal foul penalty gave the Reds an additional 15 yards, setting up a 1st-and-10 situation from the 14, and leading to Stout’s 32-yard field goal, giving Pannoni’s team an early 3-0 edge.

John-Luke Asbury connected with Trevon Stewart on a 45-yard TD pass, to put the Blue team ahead 7-3. Nevertheless, after Newsome’s touchdown, the Reds stormed right back, with Jack McDaniel (South County) finding Elijah Smith (Stafford) for a long 71-yard score to make the score 14-10.

Five of the game’s six touchdowns came on plays of 45 yards or more. In the second quarter, Sturgill connected with Kris Thornton (Osbourn) for a 59-yard touchdown. However, Aidan Marshall’s field goal with seven seconds left in the first half evened the score at 17.

The game was chock full of turnovers, including seven interceptions between both squads. Toward the end of the third quarter, Stafford’s Mondell Hampton got a hold of a Red pass and returned the ball 50 yards for a score that put the Blue team ahead 27-17, and within the grasp of putting the game away.

Yet the Red team remained resilient. After a Jason Scales pickoff gave the Reds possession at the Blue 23, it was Jamorya Cousin who ran the ball five consecutive times, with his fifth, a nine-yarder, pulling the Reds to within three points, and leading to the game’s decisive kick by Stout.

The VHSCA (Virginia High School Coaches Association) game, directed by Hampton’s legendary coach Mike Smith, has become the concluding contest of the All-Star games and unofficially marked the end of the players’ high school careers.

It was a point that was noticed by several of the participants, who were picked by a draft this year rather than being assigned to a team by geography.

A trio of South County players, quarterback Jack McDaniel, cornerback Veronta Jones, and lineman Cameron Lucas, stood in front of their bench 20 minutes after the game and looked back on their high school careers.

“It was the best four years of my life,” said McDaniel, who started the season as the Stallions’ backup, but ended up leading the D.C.-Metro area in touchdown passes with 36.

“I’ll miss the brotherhood aspect of it, the camaraderie,” added Jones, who like McDaniel, has attracted interest from a number of FCS schools in the Pioneer, Patriot, and CAA conferences.

“High school football shaped me as a person,” said Lucas. “The trials and tribulations made me more humble. I realized that others cannot be blessed with my size (6’7”, 310 lbs.) and opportunities.” Lucas is focusing his college effort on playing for an HBCU (Historically Black College & University), and has received the most interest from Norfolk State and Delaware State.

All three players expect to make their final decisions close to the official Signing Day in early February.

Quarterback Bryce Witt of 4A runner-up Dinwiddie was also reflective.

“It has gone by so fast,” said Witt, who has drawn interest from a number of Division II and II schools, including U. VA-Wise. Speaking of the game itself, he likened the experience to stepping up a level in competition. “You have a lot of fun meeting guys that you don’t know – the best athletes in the state. But, they’re a little faster, and better.”

– Jim McGrath

RED 10, 7, 0, 10 — 27
BLUE 14, 3, 10, 0 — 27

1st Quarter
Red: Stout 32 FG
Blue: Stewart 45 pass from Asbury (Marshall kick)
Blue: Newsome 52 punt return (Marshallkick)
Red: E. Smith 71 pass from McDaniel (Stout kick)

2nd Quarter
Red: Thornton 59 pass from Sturgill (Stout kick)
Blue: Marshall 26 FG

3rd Quarter
Blue: Marshall 37 FG
Blue: Hampton 50 int. return (Marshall kick)

4th Quarter
Red: Cousin 9 run (Stout kick)
Red: Stout 37 FG

Red Blue
First downs; 8, 10
Rushes-yards; 25-37, 20-43
Passing yards; 223, 94
Comp-att-int.; 10-27-4, 7-20-3
Penalties-yards; 2-20, 7-65
Punts-avg; 4-31, 5-38
Fumbles-lost; 1-0, 1-0

ALL-STAR WEEKEND - GAME #1 - Richmond (804) Outlasts Hampton Roads (757) 14-7 at I-64 Bowl

L.C. Bird's Shedrick McCall gained 191 yards on 28 carries
to lead the 804 Team to a 14-7 win over Hampton Roads (757)

by Jim McGrath, recruit757/recruit804

VIRGINIA BEACH – For one more weekend, high school football is alive and well in Virginia, as a trio of All-Star games are taking place in Hampton Roads.

In Virginia Beach, the I-64 Bowl made its debut at the Sportsplex on Saturday. While the name was new, the game was not. Established by Playmaker’s Sports Marketing, this is actually the third game. In 2014, the inaugural game was called the Adidas 757 High School All-Star Football Game, and was held at Powhatan Field in Norfolk. The following year, the game was retooled and renamed, as the Virginia National Guard All-Star Game.

Regardless of the moniker, the objective remained mostly unchanged. While other games featured Peninsula players versus their Southside counterparts, for this year, PSM President Craig Spruill and Event Coordinator Oliver Walmon knew that they needed to find a new niche to distinguish their game from the others. With this in mind, they changed the opponents, combining the Peninsula and Southside teams into a coordinated 757 team, while attracting a new opponent. For this, they merely had to look 60 miles up the road to the River City, Richmond.

Thus, a new battle was born – the battle of Hampton Roads versus Richmond prep football. And in this edition of the I-64 Bowl, it was the team from the state capital that emerged victorious, as Team 804 defeated Team 757 14-7.

The game featured approximately 40 players from Hampton Roads against 40 from Richmond. This year’s version attracted some All-American talent, including Cox’s Jordan Williams, Bishop Sullivan’s Tahj Capehart, Indian River’s Devon Hunter and Benedictine linebacker Ellis Brooks, as well as All-Staters such as Phoebus’ Jonathan Gregory, recently named the 3A Defensive Player of the Year.

Not all of the players are All-American or All-State. In fact, according to Walmon, the purpose of the game is to give the some of the lesser known players a chance to shine under a bright light.

“We have had at least 30 players from previous games that received scholarships,” said Walmon. “This gives the athletes who may not have received any offers yet a chance to showcase their talent. There are a number of coaches from Division I to Division III who will view the DVD of this game and extend an offer to an athlete.”

Other players continue to wait on their decision, such as Menchville’s Nick Webster, a linebacker and punter. Monarch head coach Ray Savage Jr. has done a remarkable job getting his athletes noticed as eight players moved on to play at various colleges after a 1-9 season with Menchville. This year’s Menchville team was also 1-9, but several players have attracted college notice, something that Webster noted, but he also hopes for more looks.

“I got a couple of offers from schools,” said Webster, noting that they were for partial scholarships. Asked what he could gain from playing in an All-Star game of this caliber, Webster thought toward the future.

“It’s like playing in a college game before you go to college.”

The 804 team, coached by L. C. Bird’s Chamont Thompson, had the momentum from the opening kickoff on Saturday, a kick that made the ball travel 25 yards in the air before bouncing off the chest of a 757 player and landing in the hands of an 804 player.

Starting at the 50-yard line, quarterback Trey Laughlin handed off to Bird’s Shedrick McCall for six straight plays. McCall was effective, gaining 23 yards and a first down on his first five runs. On the sixth play, a fourth-and-one from the 757’s 27-yard line, McCall took the hand off and dashed through the middle, running untouched for the team’s first score.

After a short drive failed for the 757 squad, Laughlin and McCall went right back to work. McCall carried six more times, moving the ball from the 804’s 27-yard line to the 42 of the 757 team. On the drive’s seventh play, Laughlin finally called another number, his own, sweeping right, and then breaking toward the middle of the field, avoiding at least five tackles on his way to a 42-yard touchdown. The extra point made the score 14-0, which held up through a scoreless second quarter.

The 757’s offensive team found its way to the scoreboard late in the third quarter. Facing direct pressure from a defensive front, led by Rashard Ashby (L.C. Bird), Indian River quarterback Keyshawn Brown scrambled back and forth behind the line of scrimmage at his 40, before launching a bomb that found his receiving teammate Germeek Knight at the 20-yard line. Knight faked out two defenders and coasted into the end zone. Bethel’s John Vassilakopoulos’ extra point cut the lead in half at 14-7.

McCall led all rushers with 191 yards on 28 carries.

The game capped a weekend of festivities, which included a jersey ceremony at Buffalo Wild Wings in Newport News on Friday night with former NFL player Wali Ranier. At the jersey event, a lifetime achievement award was given to former longtime Bethel football coach Dennis Kozlowski. Kozlowski won a state title at Bethel with a young quarterback named Allen Iverson.

– Jim McGrath

Team 757 0, 0, 7, 0 — 7
Team 804 14, 0, 0, 0 — 14

1st Quarter
804 – McCall 27 run (kick good)
804 – Laughlin 42 run (kick good)

3rd Quarter
757 – Knight 60 pass from Brown (Vassilakopoulos kick)

Virginia 6A State HS Football Championship: Westfield Ousts Oscar Smith 34-28 in Double Overtime Rematch

by Jim McGrath, recruit757

WESTFIELD 34, OSCAR SMITH 28 (2 OT)

HAMPTON – Mirroring last year’s instant classic, the rematch of the 6A state football championship between Westfield and Oscar Smith was every bit as exciting as last year. And when the Tigers’ Deangelo White’s carry on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line was thwarted by nose tackle Nauz Calhoun just short of the goal line in the second overtime, it was the Bulldogs who emerged as the repeating state champions 34-28.

The game was Westfield’s to lose as they entered the fourth quarter with a 21-7 lead. Yet, VHSL all-time passing touchdown leader Shon Mitchell brought the Tigers back – first, with a 33-yard scoring pass to Khalik Perry, followed by Mitchell, who finished a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard sneak into the end zone with seven seconds remaining in regulation.

Since Oscar Smith had missed the previous extra point, the Tigers had to convert a two-point conversion to complete the tie. With the game on the line, Mitchell pitched to White who swept left and dove into the end zone, ensuring the overtime.

“We didn’t want overtime,” said Mitchell (17-30, 320 yds. 3 TD). We had caught momentum and wanted to beat them in regulation. But they are tough. That’s the type of team that gets punched in the mouth and punches right back.”

Oscar Smith’s Cam’Ron Kelly and Westfield’s Nathaniel Chung exchanged touchdowns in the first overtime, setting up the climatic finish.

After two incompletions from the ten-yard line, Westfield quarterback Rehman Johnson (14-26, 221 yards, 4 TD, INT) found Ivory Frimpong in the back corner of the end zone, and the senior receiver stayed inbounds to give the Bulldogs a 34-28 lead.

With their final possession, Mitchell handed off to White for four yards, and then was dropped for no gain as he tried to find an open receiver. The Tigers received a false start penalty, and then fumbled on the next play, with only a savvy save by Keyon Watson ensuring just a one-yard loss. Mitchell had to scramble again on the next play, but rushed to the left sideline and picked up eight yards to set up the game-deciding play.

With the win, Westfield (13-2) earned its second consecutive state title and fourth in school history. Oscar Smith (13-2) made it to the state final in its first season under Coach Bill Dee, who came to the Tigers after amassing 243 wins at Southampton and Phoebus, along with four 5A state titles as the Phantoms’ coach, before entering the college ranks for several years and returning to the prep sidelines.

For the Bulldogs, a gain in confidence after starting the season 4-2, helped fuel their championship run.

Said Johnson, “Coach (Simmons) gave me the confidence to run our plays and the trust for me to throw the ball. He realized our talent and potential and opened up the playbook.”

Added Simmons, “I liked to think that we were crescendo-ing. We had adversity in the midseason, but this was a sign of how far we have come.”

Mitchell, who at times had trouble deciphering Colonial Forge’s defense last weekend, combined with Thomas Woodhouse in the game’s opening minute to make a strong statement. Mitchell found Woodhouse on an underneath route, and the senior receiver took the ball the rest of the way to the end zone to complete a 69-yard touchdown pass. Austin Benoit’s extra point gave the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

Mitchell completed seven of nine passes in the first quarter, and was successful at finding gaps in the Bulldog defense. But, like Colonial Forge last week, the Bulldogs began to drop eight defenders against the pass.

“They ran an inverted Cover-2 where the safety goes over to help,” said Mitchell, who will be playing for William and Mary next year. “But there’s no excuse. We had the momentum.”

However, Westfield was just getting warmed up. With Johnson under center, the Bulldogs are known for their ability to hold on to the ball. Their offense had sporadic spells earlier in the season, but Westfield hit all of their cylinders last week in a 42-12 thrashing of South Lakes in the 6A North Region final.

After Woodhouse’s touchdown, Johnson went to work, completing a seven-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that chewed up a mere 1:16 off the clock and culminated with Johnson finding tight end Nolan Cockrill open in the end zone for a seven-yard score, evening the score at seven, which is how the opening quarter ended.

Mitchell’s ability to find open receivers ceased in the second quarter as the large defensive front of the Bulldogs found their way through the Tiger line and sacked him for a pair of losses. He managed to complete just two of six passes for the rest of the half.

Meanwhile, Westfield was continuing its methodical roll. Johnson found Sean Eckert open in the right corner of the end zone after a down-and-out route. His six-yard TD put Westfield ahead 14-7 at the half.

The Dogs carried their momentum into the second half, cobbling together an eight-play, 71-yard drive, that ended with Chung finding the end zone on a four-yard run.

Shon Mitchell finished his prep career with 123 touchdown passes to extend his Virginia state record. He also will finish as the all-time state leader for completions and yardage.

– Jim McGrath

WESTFIELD      7, 7, 7, 0, 7, 6 — 34
OSCAR SMITH 7, 0, 0, 14, 7,0 — 28

1st Quarter
OS – Woodhouse 69 pass from Mitchell (Benoit kick)
WF – Cockrill 7 pass (Delaney kick)

2nd Quarter
WF – Eckert 6 pass from R. Johnson (Delaney kick)

3rd Quarter
WF – Chung 4 run (Delaney kick)

4th Quarter
OS – Perry 33 pass from Mitchell (kick failed)
OS – Mitchell 2 run (White run)

Overtime
OS – Kelly 10 pass from Mitchell (Benoit kick)
WF – Cockrill 6 pass from R. Johnson (Delaney kick)

2nd Overtime
OS – Frimpong 10 pass from R. Johnson (kick failed)
  
                         WF      OS
First downs; 15, 14
Rushes-yards; 35-115, 35-85
Passing yards; 221, 320
Comp-att-int; 14-26-1, 17-30-0
Penalties-yards; 5-43, 10-87
Punts-avg; 5-36.6, 5-44.6
Fumbles-lost; 2-0, 2-0
Time of possession; 34:36, 37:24

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS: Rushing: Westfield – Nathaniel Chung 17-46, Rehman Johnson 8-37, Nolan Cockrill 4-19, Matt Cirillo 3-11, Sean Eckert 2- (-2). Total 35 for 120. Oscar Smith – Deangelo White 13-43, Shon Mitchell 15-23, Keyon Watson 5-11, Khalik Perry 1-5, Keshon Artis 1-3. Total 35 for 125. Passing: Westfield – R. Johnson 14-26, 221 yds. 4 TD, INT. Oscar Smith – S. Mitchell 17-30, 320 yds. 3 TD. Receiving: Westfield – Ivory Frimpong 5-95, TD; Eckert 3-29, TD; Cockrill 3-23, 2 TD; Kevin Petrillo 2-62, Cirillo 1-12. Oscar Smith – Perry 8-139, TD, CamRon Kelly 4-73, TD; White 3-29, Thomas Woodhouse 2-79, TD.

Virginia 5A State HS Football Championship: Highland Springs Outlasts Stone Bridge 35-29 in Rematch

As seen on Recruit804.com

HIGHLAND SPRINGS 35, STONE BRIDGE 29

HAMPTON – With a last-minute drive, Highland Springs captured their second straight 5A state championship, coming back from a 13-point deficit to defeat Stone Bridge 35-29 on Saturday at Armstrong Stadium.

After Bradley Block’s third touchdown of the game cut the Springer lead to 28-27 with 1:22 remaining in the game, the Bulldogs called a timeout to discuss their conversion options. According to Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson, there wasn’t much of a discussion.

“We were going for it the whole time,” said Thompson, who has now taken the Bulldogs to seven state championships, but won only once, in 2007.

The decision proved to be correct as Leland Girdy swept in from the two-yard line to give Stone Bridge a 29-28 lead with 1:14 left in the game. From there, the Bulldogs attempted a squib kick that landed in the hands of Billy Kemp, who returned the ball 36 yards to the Springer 33.

“Our kicking game caused a short field for our defense all day,” said Thompson. “We aim left, and the ball goes right. They would get 25-30 yards on kickoffs, and sometimes I don’t know what the heck is going to happen.”

A 12-yard pass to Chris Thaxton gave the Springers a first-and-10 at the 21. On the next play, an 18-yard pass to Isiaiah Winstead moved the ball to the 3. From there, Carter found Thaxton wide open in the middle of the end zone for the game winner.

“We ran a slant, slant, flat, and I ran an outside wheel route” said Thaxton of the game-winning catch. “The safety turned one way, and I got open.”

Stone Bridge opened the game in complete control, dominating the run (126 yards rushing in first quarter) and time of possession. Their first drive (ten plays, 43 yards) was a ground game clinic. After an incomplete pass, Leland Girdy opened with a nine-yard sweep, followed by a pair of Block carries totaling ten yards. Josh Breece gathered a first down with his 16-yard run, setting up a first-and-goal from the 8. On fourth-and-2, Block took the direct snap and bulled through his line into the end zone. Block’s extra point gave the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead.

The Springers took the ensuing kickoff just over the midfield line, and Kemp’s 19-yard run opened up a first-and-10 opportunity for Highland Springs at the Stone Bridge 30.  But the Springers would get no farther, with Carter dropped on the 30 after a four-yard run on 4^th-and-9, giving Stone Bridge the ball.

The Dogs wasted no time. Breece snapped off runs of 17 and 21 yards, giving the “home” team first-and-10 at the Springers 36. Two plays later, Girdy’s 13-yard dash led to another first down, at the 17. An offsides penalty against Highland moved the ball inside the 10. From there, Lawyer drove for seven tough yards, and then Block pushed ahead for a single yard, and then another; however, his last push crossed the goal and gave the Dogs a 13-0 lead. The two-point conversion failed after a fumbled snap and Stone Bridge enjoyed a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.

A 33-yard kickoff return by Rell Coley gave the Springers great field position at the Bulldog 37 to end the first quarter, but the Stone Bridge defense held strong and forced a fourth-and-2, stopping Carter after no gain. With their three plays, the Dogs failed to move the ball, and then compounded their error by electing to go for a first down with fourth-and-seven at their own 32. Josh Lawyer was wrapped up after gaining only a yard, leaving the Springers with their first true scoring threat at the Bulldog 33.

With renewed opportunity, Carter went right to work, first scrambling for a 14-yard gain, and then running through a seam in the middle of his line for a 19-yard touchdown. Jack Notley’s extra point closed the Stone Bridge lead to 13-7, which held up until halftime.

Speaking of the short drive, Carter noted that his nerves had gotten the better of him early in the game. “I had to calm down and take a deep breath,” said the senior, who completed 14 of 25 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns, and added 78 yards on the ground.

Highland Springs coach Loren Johnson saw the Stone Bridge decision that led to the first touchdown as a turning point.

“There are multiple turning points in a game. That was definitely the first one,” said Johnson, who has now won three titles as head of the Springer program, including last year’s 27-7 win over the same Bulldog team.

Perhaps more amazing was that Stone Bridge held a 32:42-15:18 edge in time of possession. In fact, all of Highland’s 21 fourth-quarter points were scored in a period of 2:14.

STONE BRIDGE                    13, 0, 0, 16 -- 29

HIGHLAND SPRINGS            0, 7, 7, 21 -- 35

1^st Quarter

SB – Block 1 run (Block kick)

SB – Block 1 run (run failed)

2^nd Quarter

HS – J. Carter 19 run (Notley kick)

3^rd Quarter

HS – Winstead 13 pass from J. Carter (Notley kick)

4^th Quarter

SB – Breece 22 run (Breece run)

HS – Harkless 62 run (Notley kick)

HS – J. Jackson 48 pass (Notley kick)

SB – Block 1 run (Girdy run)

HS – Thaxton 3 pass (Notley kick)

          SB    HS

First downs;     24, 16

Rushes-yards;  70-401, 22-181

Passing yards;  2, 196

Comp-att-int;   1-9-2, 14-25-0

Penalties-yards; 6-60, 12-86

Punts-avg;     1-41, 0-0

Fumbles-lost;  0-0, 1-1

Time of possession; 32:42, 15:18

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS: Rushing: Stone Bridge – Josh Breece 27-213, Bradley Block 22-96, Leland Girdy 12-78, Josh Lawyer 7-17, Easton Turner 2- (-3). Total 70 for 401. Highland Springs – Juwan Carter 13-84, Willie Harkless 3-71, Billy Kemp 1-19, Shyrie McKeiver 4-9, Team 1- (-2). Total 22 for 181. Passing: Stone Bridge – Easton Turner 1-8-2, 2 yds. Leland Girdy 0-1-0, 0 yds. Highland Springs – Juwan Carter 14-25-0, 196 yds. 3 TD. Receiving: Stone Bridge – Leland Girdy 1-2. Highland Springs – Chris Thaxton 5-42, TD, James Jackson 4-83, TD, Isiaiah Winstead 3-39, TD, Billy Kemp 1-24, Shyrie McKeiver 1-8.