Stone Bridge Rallies to Victory

Running Back Gouveia Takes Over as Bulldogs Top Tough Phoebus

By Paul Tenorio

Sunday, December 2, 2007

With 47 seconds remaining in the first half and the score tied in a Virginia AAA Division 5 semifinal yesterday at Stone Bridge, Bulldogs senior Jeron Gouveia dropped back to field a punt at his own 20-yard line. With the sun in his eyes, Gouveia bobbled the return and Phoebus recovered, scoring three plays later to take the lead at the half.

It was just one of a flurry of mistakes for the No. 10 Bulldogs in the first two quarters, but it also was one that motivated Stone Bridge's star. In the second half the Virginia Tech-bound Gouveia responded by carrying the ball 16 times for 90 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 38-24 comeback victory that clinched a berth in the state title game.

"Before the half ended I messed up pretty bad fumbling that punt return," Gouveia said. "I just knew I had to come back. . . . Coach put the ball in my hands and I just made the most of it."

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Bulldogs Win AAA Division 5 Semifinal

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Stone Bridge celebrates its victory over Phoebus. The Bulldogs won the AAA Division 5 football semifinal Saturday afternoon. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge's No. 11 Ryan Moody celebrates a big catch with No. 8 Matt Irwin with 8:16 left in the second quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge's No. 20 Daniel Allen breaks free from Phoebus' No. 62 Dominik Davenport with 3:57 in the second quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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The Bulldogs almost stop this extra point by Phoebus kicker No. 95 Matt Cole with 18 seconds left in the second quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge defeated Phoebus, 38-24, in the AAA Division 5 semifinal game Saturday. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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The Bulldogs celebrate their 38-24 victory over Phoebus. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge's scoring total was the most allowed by the Hampton-based Phantoms in a game this season and 23 more than they had allowed in the past seven games combined. The Bulldogs also snapped Phoebus' 20-game winning streak.

Stone Bridge had used a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by junior Mike Olson and a one-handed catch in the end zone by senior Ryan Moody to stay even with Phoebus (13-1) through most of the first half. But at the break, Coach Mickey Thompson let the team know he was not satisfied with their performance, telling them they were the better team and were not playing to their potential.

Many of the Stone Bridge players said Thompson's speech motivated them, and it showed on the field.

The Bulldogs' defense gave up just 45 yards in the second half and forced four turnovers, including a safety. Offensively, Gouveia rushed behind a line that generated a huge push on almost every play.

"All week I was worried about the trenches and how they would play because watching film, [Phoebus] really just dominated everybody up front," Gouveia said. "I'm really just impressed with how they came out and came right at them."

Down 10 in the third quarter, the Bulldogs took possession on a forced fumble and capped the drive with Gouveia diving one yard for a touchdown that cut Phoebus's lead to 24-21.

Kevin Elliot then grabbed an interception and the Bulldogs drove 84 yards, with Gouveia rushing eight times for 51 yards and a go-ahead score.

A high snap on a punt for Phoebus rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety, and on the ensuing drive Stone Bridge drove down the field and put the game away on Gouveia's seven-yard run.

"What really feels good is to have your team respond like that in the second half," Thompson said. "The win is awesome, but to be able to go in at halftime and get on them a little bit and be able to have them respond like that, that just says a lot about their character and them believing in the program."

No. 10 Stone Bridge 38, Phoebus 24

Shutdown D: The Stone Bridge defense did not allow Phoebus a first down in the second half, forcing a turnover on every one of the Phantom's second-half possessions except the first.

On that drive, the Bulldogs held the Phantoms to minus-five yards, forcing a 29-yard field goal.

Up Next: Stone Bridge will face No. 5 Potomac for the AAA Division 5 championship at noon Saturday at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.

The Bulldogs lost to Hampton, 15-8, in the 2005 state championship, but have advanced to at least the state semis four times since their school opened in 2000. They have not won a title.

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks