The West Springfield High football team learned first-hand last Friday night that defending state AAA champion Stone Bridge has hardly gotten content since last year's epic campaign.
If anything, the Bulldogs appear to be as hungry as ever to build on last year's success, which resulted in the program's first-ever state crown.
Any hopes offensive-minded West Springfield had of posting an upset in last week's nondistrict season opener in Ashburn were pretty much dashed before the conclusion of the first quarter as the host Bulldogs, playing in front of a huge, enthusiastic home crowd, opened up a lightning-quick three-touchdown advantage on way to what would eventually become an impressive 42-28 triumph.
The week-one encounter was originally dubbed as an intriguing matchup behind two talented teams and their two fine senior quarterbacks — Stone Bridge signal caller Patrick Thompson and heralded, University of North Carolina-bound standout Bryn Renner of West Springfield. But as a result of a preseason finger injury to Thompson, some of the luster of the opening week game was lost because it appeared the Bulldog leader would not be available to play. However, Thompson, during the days leading up to the contest, received doctors' permission to play. And it turned out his role was a huge factor in his team's victory.
"I wasn't going to play," Thompson said moments after the game.
But Thompson, who at one time thought he might miss half the season as a result of the injury, eventually learned he was allowed to play against the Spartans as long as the injured ring finger was splinted and heavily taped. He also wore a glove to offer him more protection.
"It felt different, splinted up, with the grip," he said.
The injured digit did not appear to be a hindrance to Thompson or his team as Stone Bridge, incredibly, scored touchdowns on its first three offensive plays to take a resounding 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
"We came out and scored on our first three [offensive] plays," Thompson said. "We sent a message that we re not rebuilding and that we're confident. That really got us motivated."
<b>WEST SPRINGFIELD</b> took the opening kick off and was moving the ball successfully behind a short-passing attack in which Renner was hitting his receivers on timed out patterns. The Spartans had moved the football from their own 6-yard line to the Stone Bridge 48 over 10 plays before a turnover ended the march and set the tone of the game in Stone Bridge's favor.
The turnover was an interception by Bulldog senior linebacker Andrew Ansell, who snatched Renner's square-out pass to the right side before bolting down the sideline on the return. He eventually fumbled the ball deep in Spartan territory, but alert teammate Mike Olson recovered it at the 5-yard line. One play later, on Stone Bridge's first offensive snap of the evening, Thompson ran the ball into the end zone off the right side. Following kicker Abdul Shaban's extra-point boot, his first of six on the game, the Bulldogs led 7-0.
A West Springfield punt minutes later pinned Stone Bridge back on its own 9. But on the Bulldogs' first down play, Thompson dropped back and tossed a short pass over the charging Spartan linemen. Senior receiver Mike Prince caught the ball and maneuvered his way to daylight down the left sideline and all the way down field for a 91-yard TD play. Just like that, it was 14-0.
"That play we put in just a week ago," Thompson said. "It was really new to me. They were coming at me and [Prince] slipped behind them."
Then, after another West Springfield punt, Stone Bridge set up at its own 49. On the first down play, Thompson took a quick drop and connected on a short pass over the middle to sibling tight end Zach Thompson, who ran down the middle of the field before fending off a pursing West Springfield player with an effective stiff-arm inside the 10-yard line before crossing the end zone.
The stunning 21-0 deficit was too much for the guests to overcome.
While West Springfield got on the scoreboard before the conclusion of the first quarter — the result of a 20-yard Renner to Fabrice Kambinga TD pass in the middle of the end zone — the Bulldogs blew the game wide open in the second quarter with three touchdowns to open up an insurmountable 42-7 halftime advantage. Prince scored two of those scores on runs of 22 and 45 yards out. And on Stone Bridge's final score of the second quarter, he caught a Thompson pass down the left sideline for a 30-yard strike.
For the game, Prince scored four touchdowns, three rushing.
<b>STONE BRIDGE COACH</b> Mickey Thompson's squad lost some key playmakers to graduation from last year's squad, standouts such as receiver Ryan Moody and running back Jeron Gouveia.
But the veteran coach said this year's squad will prove to have plenty of firepower.
"I really feel we've got [as many] playmakers again," he said.
Of the fabulous game Prince had, Coach Thompson said, "It doesn't surprise me."
Stone Bridge did not score in the second half, but it didn't need to. The Spartans, despite the large deficit, played hard throughout the end and scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns, two of those coming on runs by senior Brandon Bailey (112 yards rushing on 13 carries). His first score came on a 49-yard run.
Renner, the tall right-handed quarterback who, earlier this year, earned a scholarship to play the sport at UNC, completed 23 of 35 passes for 242 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He put up the good numbers despite being under heavy pass rush pressure much of the game. Stone Bridge recorded two sacks (Brian Slay and Wesley Baker).
On Renner's first quarter touchdown pass to Kambinga, he eluded Stone Bridge pass rushers with a nifty spin move to buy more time. He then planted and zipped the ball to his receiver, who caught the ball in traffic.
"He's an exceptional player," Coach Thompson said of Renner. "His escapability saved them. I don't think they score in the first half if he can't escape [on the TD pass]. He got away and he made plays."
Renner's top targets were senior wide receivers Andy Stallings (7 catches, 65 yards), Tucker Tobin (7 catches, 57 yards) and Kambinga (4 catches, 80 yards, TD). Stone Bridge got interceptions from Ansell and Zack Miller.
Renner credited Stone Bridge with stepping up.
"It was an important game for us, but Stone Bridge is a great team," the quarterback said. "They are definitely state champions for a reason. They are probably the best team we'll play this season. They're real good."
Renner said there was no give up from his team.
"When you're down by that much you play for pride," he said.
Renner said he was surprised when he saw Patrick Thompson, injured finger and all, out on the field.
"I heard he had a little hand problem," Renner said. "I was shocked he was out there. He's a warrior. He's the difference in that team."
It has been a full offseason since Stone Bridge won the state title with a championship game rout over Potomac High (Woodbridge) in Charlottesville. The Bulldogs were ready to start up the new season.
"They were waiting for the chance to play," Coach Thompson said. "I can see a complete difference in them from the scrimmages."
Patrick Thompson said he and his teammates do not feel extra pressure being the defending state champs.
"We definitely thrive on it," he said. "It's not a burden or anything."