Dominion Dominates, Gets 27-7 Win
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Friday, August 31, 2007
Dominion Coach Mike Dougherty was caught off guard by the steely tone of his baby-faced running back's words. Freshman Deandre Reaves, frustrated by his team's inability to land in the end zone, approached Doughtery on the sideline Thursday night and demanded the ball.
"He said, 'Come on coach, my side, my side - I want the ball,'" Dougherty said.
Three plays later, Reaves burst through the line of scrimmage, discarded two tacklers and sprinted 36 yards into the end zone, sparking Dominion to a 27-7 victory against non-district foe Washington-Lee in Arlington. In his first varsity game, Reaves rushed for 178 yards and added a second touchdown on a three-yard plunge in the fourth.
Photo Gallery
Dominion vs. Washington-Lee
During warm-ups Thursday before the game, offensive linemen No. 53 Anthony Bartolotti and No. 73 Ashoka Rajendra practice their stance to hold off Washington-Lee's defense. (Kevin Myrick)
Under center, backup quarterback No. 14 Andy Pont readies for the game against the Washington-Lee Generals. The Generals lost the game 27-7. (Kevin Myrick)
The Titans huddle up before their first game of the season against the Washington-Lee Generals. The Titans would go on to win 27-7, keeping the Generals from scoring until late in the fourth quarter. (Kevin Myrick)
Cheerleaders excite the small crowd gathered for Dominion's first game of the season against their opponent Washington-Lee. (Kevin Myrick)
The captains on both teams line up for the coin toss. Dominion won the toss and elected to receive. (Kevin Myrick)
A small gathering of Titans fans traveled from Loudoun County Thursday to watch as Dominion played its first game of the 2007 season against Washington-Lee. Fans went home happy after the Titans defeated the Generals, 27-7. (Kevin Myrick)
No. 3 Todd Lancaster waits for the kickoff to begin Dominion's first game of the season against Washington-Lee. (Kevin Myrick)
A line of Titans players defend the receiver of the kickoff as the first game of the 2007 Titans season got underway Thursday at Washington-Lee in Arlington, Va. (Kevin Myrick)
Titans quarterback No. 9 Geoff McCowat gets the play from the sidelines during the first half of play against the Washington-Lee Generals Thursday in the first game of the season. McCowat would lead the Titans to their first victory of the season, taking down the Generals 27-7. (Kevin Myrick)
Titans running back No. 20 Deandre Reaves turns the corner attempting to gain yards Thursday in the first game of the 2007 season. (Kevin Myrick)
The Washington-Lee Generals marching band pumps up the cheering Generals fans during the first game of the season against the Dominion Titans. The Titans went on to defeat the Generals 27-7. (Kevin Myrick)
The Titans' defense gathers on the sidelines before the next play. Dominion's defense was a key to its victory Thursday over the Washington-Lee Generals. (Kevin Myrick)
The Titans' defense pushes against the Generals' offensive line Thursday in their first game of the season. (Kevin Myrick)
No. 3 Todd Lancaster carries the ball Thursday in the first half of play in the first game of Dominion's 2007 season. The Titans would go on to win 27-7. (Kevin Myrick)
"He's our team star," Dominion defensive lineman Joe Williams said. "We're going to be riding him for the next four years."
In the meantime, Reaves is relishing the little things - like his first varsity touchdown. After his third quarter score, he sprinted to the sidelines while jumping up and down and pumping his fists. He was so excited that he failed to realize his team was still on the field, waiting for him before attempting a two-point conversion.
"It was an amazing feeling," Reaves said. "I loved it. It made me just want to score more."
Thanks to the Dominion defense, Reaves had plenty opportunities. The Titans (1-0) held Washington-Lee to 29 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers. Moreover, the Generals had three times as many punts (nine) than first downs (three).
Video: Dominion Dominates
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Dominion defensive back Jonathan Owens had two interceptions, lineman Ben Dickerson added two sacks and Williams tipped two passes and blocked a punt.
"We feel like we're pretty fast on defense," Dougherty said. "We looked fast tonight."
So did Reaves, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. He eluded Washington-Lee tacklers with a combination of speed and shiftiness, as well as an ability to bounce of initial contact. His kind has been seen around Dominion before - brother C.J. Reaves, a 2005 graduate, owns nearly all the school's rushing records, Dougherty said.
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Reaves showed such physical and mental maturity as a middle schooler at Seneca Ridge that he played on the Dominion freshman team last season as an eighth grader. Reaves quickly became the starting running back, showing a propensity for finding the end zone - a trait that seems to have carried over to varsity.
"He's a special kid," Dougherty said. "For a ninth-grader, he's at a 12th-grader's level. We're real proud of him."
Visit LoudounExtra.com on Saturday for coverage of Friday night's games.
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