Stone Bridge’s Gouveia Runs for 4 Touchdowns in Rout

By Paul Tenorio

Saturday, October 13, 2007

On Tuesday after practice, Stone Bridge Coach Mickey Thompson told Jeron Gouveia to prepare for more action. Thompson had limited the star’s role to keep him fresh, but Gouveia was averaging one touchdown every 3.4 times he touched the ball, and the Bulldogs were entering the meat of their district schedule.

Gouveia said he was ready and excited for the opportunity, but the senior did not have his first carry Friday night at Langley until there was a little more than five minutes left in the first quarter — a one-yard touchdown run.

Over the next 17 minutes of the first half, the Virginia Tech-bound standout showed why he is considered one of the area’s top playmakers. After the first touchdown, Gouveia rushed for 115 yards and three more scores while also intercepting a pass and pounding in a two-point conversion to lead Stone Bridge to a 42-14 win.

“Whenever I touch the ball, I’m trying to score,” Gouveia said. “But I don’t think I could imagine a game like tonight.”

For Stone Bridge (6-1, 4-0 AAA Liberty), it was another dominating effort that reinforced the Bulldogs’ position as one of the top teams in the Northern Region. The defense allowed just 79 yards rushing, with most of those coming late, and forced three turnovers.

“We’re really good on defense right now,” Thompson said. “We’re getting more and more comfortable, and we expect to keep getting better.”

The Bulldogs took the lead behind running back Mike Stancik, who tore down the left sideline on a 43-yard touchdown run with 9 minutes 39 seconds left in the first quarter. Gouveia’s plunge made it 14-0 before Langley (3-4, 2-2) answered to make it 14-6 on Danny Pritchett’s nine-yard touchdown run.

Then Gouveia took over. Facing fourth-and-1 on the 41-yard line, Gouveia plunged into the middle of the pile before backing off and breaking to the right for a 41-yard touchdown run.

On Langley’s first play after the kickoff, he grabbed an interception, and three plays later he barreled forward for a nine-yard score.

After a three-and-out, Stone Bridge took over again and drove 67 yards to set up Gouveia’s final score, a one-yard run, to make it 35-6 at halftime.

Kareem Alexander scored on a one-yard run to make it 42-6 before Langley’s David Helmer closed out the scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run with 2:53 left.

Stone Bridge is now set to face Madison (7-0, 4-0 AAA Liberty) in a matchup that probably will decide the district title. Gouveia said he is looking forward to the game.

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Stone Bridge vs. Langley

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Stone Bridge head coach Mickey Thompson walks his team out on the field before the game against Langley on Friday night. (Ricky Carioti)

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Members of the Stone Bridge football team gather together and cheer before the start of the second half on Friday night against Langley. (Ricky Carioti)

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Stone Bridge quarterback Patrick Thompson carries the ball past Langley's Brian Cole in the first quarter of Stone Bridge's 42-14 win on Friday night. (Ricky Carioti)

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Stone Bridge's No. 7 Mike Stancik carries the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of Stone Bridge's 42-14 win over Langley Friday. (Ricky Carioti)

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Stone Bridge's Jeron Gouveia carries the ball for a touchdown over Langley's Scott Jones in the second quarter of Stone Bridge's 42-14 win on Friday night. (Ricky Carioti)

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The Stone Bridge football team warms up during halftime Friday night. (Ricky Carioti)

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The Stone Bridge cheerleaders perform during the football game against Langley on Friday night. (Ricky Carioti)

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“I wish we had the one against Robinson back; 7-0 versus 7-0 would be a crazy game,” Gouveia said. “This week we’ve got to have a good week in practice, and it’s going to be a test.”

Thompson agreed.

“I love playing them,” Thompson said. “You know it’s going to be a tight game.”

Note: Stone Bridge quarterback Patrick Thompson left the game in the second quarter with what Thompson called a jammed thumb.

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks