Raiders Clinch Playoff Spot

Loudoun County Edges Heritage in Driskill's Finale

By Paul Tenorio

Saturday, November 8, 2008

When the final Heritage pass missed its intended target to cement Loudoun County's 27-21 win last night, Raiders linebacker Jake Wasko leapt in the air and shouted toward the sideline.

"We're going to the playoffs, baby!" he yelled.

In the stands, the Raiders' student section chanted "We own Leesburg," and minutes later, as Raiders Coach Todd Hill peeled back toward the sideline following the final handshake in the postgame lines, Loudoun County Athletic Director Ken Wright whispered four words into the coach's ear: "Chancellor and Martinsburg won."

With that, Hill leapt onto Wright's back, pumping his fist and shouting, then gathered his team to inform them that - as Wasko had presumed - Loudoun County indeed was headed to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

The moment marked the completion of a rapid two-year turnaround under Hill for the Raiders (6-4, 4-3 Virginia AA Dulles), who just last season snapped an 18-game losing streak and now are headed to the postseason.

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Loudoun County Edges Heritage

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Loudoun County takes the field for its game against Heritage. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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During the game, the Loudoun County varisity cheer squard performs. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Heritage Coach Wes Driskill coaches his final game against Loudoun County. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Margaret Akers (one of two drum majors) leads the Heritage marching band during their halftime performance. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Steven Simms, snare drummer in the Heritage marching band, said he got so hot during his halftime performace his glasses fogged up. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Early in the game, Heritage's Dan Dykema breaks free and runs past Loudoun County's Austin Campbell. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Loudoun County High School students watch as their team is about to score in the third quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Loudoun County's Michael Ayoub hauls in a 24-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to give the Raiders a 21-7 lead over Heritage. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Andrew Walczak finds some daylight for Loudoun County during the first quarter. Walczak rushed for 194 yards against Heritage. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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In the second quarter, Loudoun County's Joe Bushrod gets caught by Heritage's Josh Toney, left, and Dan Dykema. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Loudoun County celebrates a fumble recovery. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Loudoun County's Andrew Walczak scores on a one-yard touchdown and is hit by Heritage's Josh Toney in the third quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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"Finally, victory," junior linebacker Chase Williams said afterward. "Finally, after all these years of losses and the seasons we've had we're finally going someplace and gaining some respect around here."

They got there in part because of a return to fundamentals, with Hill saying practices in the past three weeks have more closely resembled a preseason workout than a midyear tuneup.

Senior running back Andrew Walczak, who carried the ball just 13 times total in four games early this season, rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries - his fourth output of more than 100 yards in the past five games.

And the Raiders defense recovered three fumbles to help swing the outcome in the visitors' favor.

Walczak was a workhorse for Loudoun County, rushing six times on the Raiders' first seven plays to set up Mike Howard's two-yard touchdown plunge. A Heritage fumble set up Walczak's 38-yard score less than two minutes later, and with the Raiders holding on to a slim seven-point lead in the third quarter, it was again the 190-pound senior who found the end zone, this time on a one-yard plunge.

"It was amazing," Walczak said of coming through for the team under pressure. "I really felt like I actually [played] a role on the team."

Heritage (6-4, 3-4) scored late to pull within six, but the Pride could not put together a sustained drive in two possessions in the final three minutes, and the celebration was on for Loudoun County.

Notes: Heritage Coach Wes Driskill finished his career with the Pride last night, announcing earlier this week he would resign to spend more time with his family. ... Senior RB Ross Madison, who entered the game with 961 yards rushing, was dressed for pregame warm ups but did not play for Heritage due to an injury suffered two weeks ago. ... Facing fourth and one on its 29-yard line with three minutes remaining in the game, Loudoun County thought about going for it before electing to punt. The decision paid off as quarterback Joe Bushrod's kick traveled 57 yards and put Heritage on its 24-yard line.

Tagged: football, Heritage High School, high school sports, Loudoun County High School

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