Friday, September 24, 2010

2010 Tomato Bowl: Patrick Henry 25, Lee-Davis 24

The most storied rivalry in Central Region high school football unfolded tonight in Mechanicsville in simply wild fashion.

When it was over, several players were injured, all were exhausted, 26 flags were thrown, one was not thrown, a 24-point lead was lost and an underdog shocked the home team.

I don't even know where to begin. So, how about the start? :)

Lee-Davis spent the first half dominating the line of scrimmage. Every play, both sides of the ball. They rushed for 150 yards in the first half, 104 by D'Vonte Scott alone.

But they also had plenty of misfortune and blown opportunities. Lee-Davis' two-quarterback system took an early hit when, first, senior William Coalson went down with a foot problem, then, junior Israel Vaughan was injured (left foot or ankle). Coalson was able to return, while Vaughan was on crutches watching the rest of the game from the sideline.

Scott scored the first two touchdowns of the night, with Chance Stone converting two 2-point conversions to give Lee-Davis an early 16-0 lead. Later in the second, Coalson hit Stone on a slant screen to the left side and Stone got one needed block and raced untouched 73 yards to make it 22-0. Another 2-point conversion made it 24-0 Confederates with 6:16 to go before halftime.

But on the play, Coalson took a hit and went out again with an ankle injury. Late in the second, third-string quarterback Travis Stallings' first pass was intercepted by Tre Bowden, who went 82 yards for the lone PH touchdown, making the halftime score 24-7.

The Patriots offense had zero yards of offense at halftime, got their one score on defense and seemed to have no answer for Lee-Davis' runs off-tackle. In spite of 12 first-half penalties and multiple turnovers, the home team led by 17 at halftime.

Enter the second half.

On the second play, Scott took a handoff and was drilled by a PH defender, losing the ball. Kenny Mock picked it up and raced 35 yards for the TD. A botched extra point later, Patrick Henry, with zero yards of offense, was only down 24-13.

Lee-Davis continued to lose players to injury, two for the game, others for critical plays or series. Stallings' second pass of the night was woefully short and far away from his intended receiver, so the Confederates opted to put in WR/TE Caleb Wyatt as the "wildcat quarterback". He never attempted a pass. He did gain most of his 107 yards in the second half, but the depleted offense could not gain traction.

Luis Carillo kicked a 22-yard field goal when a drive stalled to make it 24-16. On the ensuing kickoff, Lee-Davis forgot to fall on the football when it was pooched kick to around the 25. Ross Jones flew down the sideline and recovered the live ball and PH had it in the red zone.

They couldn't convert for six and Luis Carillo drilled a 32-yarder from the left hashmark, and, suddenly, with a quarter to play, it was 24-19.

PH mounted a drive in the middle of the final stanza, but, on second down from inside the 10, Jay Waller's fade pass to Raymon Minor in the end zone corner was underthrown, and Tyrell Eaton outjumped Minor for the interception in the end zone. He was tackled trying to make a play at the one-yard line.

Lee-Davis got one first down but stalled and had to punt with under three minutes to go. Patrick Henry was out of timeouts. It was time for what they may refer to in Ashland forever as "The Drive, Version 2010".

Big Play #1---Waller's pass across the middle from the 25 ended up at midfield, where two Patriots and three Confederates fought for the ball. A Confederate defender ran out of the pile with the ball, then, a few seconds later, a penalty flag. In the end, the officials determine Kenny Mock caught the ball at the Lee-Davis 48, and Lee-Davis was guilty of interference. So, tack on 15 yards, and suddenly, the Patriots are at the Lee-Davis 33.

Big Play #2---From the 28, Waller looks for Raymon Minor, single-covered down the left sideline. Minor caught the ball at the 9. This humble blogger, while broadcasting the game, saw what I fully believed to be offensive pass interference, as Minor pushed off the L-D defender before catching the ball. No flag was thrown. Lee-Davis fans erupted, beside themselves over the non-call. Suddenly, it was 1st and goal, Patriots, at the 9 yard line with 55 seconds to go.

Big Play #3---On the next play, instead of passing into coverage, Brian Houchens stepped out to the left flat, caught the ball and dashed to the pylon, scoring from nine yards out to make it 25-24 with :47.6 to go. The 2-point Patriot try failed.

A squib kick was taken by Lee-Davis to the 41, where they began their final drive. Coalson gamely came back in at quarterback, as Lee-Davis had no choice but to pass the ball, with seconds remaining and no timeouts. On the third play from scrimmage, Coalson, while going down, flipped the ball ahead to a teammate, but a PH defender tipped the pass up in the air and Josh Thomas intercepted the ball, and took a huge hit, but held onto the completion to give PH the ball, and the win.

Lee-Davis lost two quarterbacks, watched a third struggle, and changed their offense, not by choice, in the second half, committed 17 penalties, and were guilty of five turnovers. Patrick Henry found a way to win despite not scoring a touchdown on offense until the final minute of play.

Kudos to Jay Waller for a stronger second half performance, in spite of the interception in the end zone, which, for a time, looked like it could be the game-clincher for Lee-Davis.

This Tomato Bowl will be talked about from Beaverdam to Old Church and everywhere in between for years to come. Though no playoff implications were probably in play, as opposed to many other past meetings, tonight proved that, no matter how many high schools are opened in Hanover County, there's NOTHING like the Tomato Bowl.

Patrick Henry, now 1-2, opens Colonial District play at home next Friday against Thomas Jefferson. Listen beginning at 6:30pm on WHAN-AM (1430), or click on the listen link here at patrickhenrysports.com!

Podcast of the Tomato Bowl will be posted by Saturday night. If you missed the game, you'll want this one.

Download Atlee/Patrick Henry Podcast HERE!

zSHARE - PH0917.mp3

Download PH/Hanover Podcast here!

zSHARE - PH0910.mp3

Friday, September 10, 2010

Week One: Hanover 49, Patrick Henry 21

The defending Division 5 Regional Champions are back for more.

Deane Cheatham rushed for over 100 yards in the first half alone, and the Hanover Hawks took advantage of an inexperienced, overmatched Patrick Henry defense to cruise to an opening night 49-21 win over the Patriots, ruining the head coaching debut of Sam Hart.

Hanover scored touchdowns on their first five possessions, all coming on the ground. The lone PH score of the first half was also on the ground, thanks to a 45-yard TD run by fullback Josh Thomas, cutting the deficit at the time to 14-7. It was 35-7 by halftime.

Jay Waller opened his second season at quarterback with no interceptions, a touchdown pass in the second half, but also overthrew several open receivers. Hanover QB Sam Rogers, starting his second season and only a sophomore, didn't need to rely on the passing game, completing 3 of 6 passes for 52 yards.

There are many people who believe Hanover, winners of two of the past three Division 5 Regional Titles, may finally win the Capital District title, something they've never done, thanks to Varina and Highland Springs. After seeing them tonight, I share in that sentiment. If the offensive line and linebacking play of Hanover continues to improve on their impressive opening night performances, the Hawks will be a tough match for anyone in the Central Region.

Hanover now leads the overall series with Patrick Henry 5-4, winning their last five straight against the Patriots. PH has not won on opening night since a win over Hanover in 2006.

Patrick Henry must now regroup, especially on both the offensive and defensive lines, and get ready for a rough road test against another county team with Division 5 playoff hopes, the Atlee Raiders.

Listen for all the action next Friday, 9/17, at 6:30pm, on WHAN, 1430!

It's Opening Night for PH! Listen live!

Join us on WHAN (1430) beginning at 6:30pm for the pre-game show, where we will preview the 2010 season.

Then at 7pm, the season kicks off when the Patriots and new coach Sam Hart take on the defending Division 5 Regional Champions, the Hanover Hawks!

Thursday, September 09, 2010

WEEK ONE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Armstrong at Thomas Jefferson, 4 p.m.

Collegiate at Trinity Episcopal, 4 (on WHAN-AM 1430 at 3:45pm)

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot at North Cross, 4:30
Atlee at Deep Run, 7

Hanover at Patrick Henry, 7 (on WHAN-AM 1430 at 6:30pm)

Caroline at Henrico, 7
Highland Springs at Meadowbrook, 7
Hermitage at Lee-Davis, 7
Dinwiddie at Varina, 7
James River at Douglas Freeman, 7
Mills Godwin at Monacan, 7
Woodberry Forest at J.R. Tucker, 7
New Kent at King William, 7
Goochland at Amelia Co., 7
West Point at Northampton, 7
Thomas Dale at Manchester, 7:30
Hopewell at Cosby, 7:30
Matoaca at L.C. Bird, 7:30
Prince George at Clover Hill, 7:30
Huguenot at Monticello, 7:30
Powhatan at Midlothian, 7:30
Louisa at Spotsylvania, 7:30

SATURDAY

Jamestown at John Marshall, 1 p.m.
St. Stephen's/St. Agnes at St. Christopher's, 1
Benedictine at Bishop Ireton, 2

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Atlee is first county school to win this season....

21 points directly off turnovers and a 100 yard rushing effort by Trevor Elie led the Atlee Raiders to a 42-7 romp over Benedictine in their season opener Friday night at home.

Atlee next faces Deep Run before hosting Patrick Henry on September 17th! Click on the title for more details on the game.

Friday, September 03, 2010

Football Scrimmage Victory for Pats!

Patrick Henry defeated Caroline Thursday night in the final scrimmage before the 2010 season, and the Sam Hart era, officially begin in Ashland. The final was 23-6.

Patrick Henry opens the '10 Campaign next Friday night, September 10th, against the reigning Division 5 Regional Champion, the Hanover Hawks. Kickoff is at 7pm!

Girls Volleyball Team Takes Out Henrico in 5

Patrick Henry ------------------------- 26 25 23 18 10
Henrico ------------------------- 24 19 25 25 15

Highlights: Anna Hogue (PH) 4 aces, 6 kills; Dani Washington (PH) 8 aces, 5 kills; Amber Wilson (H) 6 kills, ace; Auriana Banks (H) 4 kills, 5 blocks; Stephany Yang (H) 6 aces, 38 assists

Records: Patrick Henry 3-1; Henrico 1-2

Boys Volleyball sweeps Henrico in three straight!

The Pats move to 2-2 overall on the young season. Click on the title above for more information, courtesy of the Times-Dispatch.