Handley Runs Over Loudoun County

Judges' Wilson Scores Six Touchdowns

By Paul Tenorio

Saturday, September 6, 2008

After an impressive season-opening win in which Loudoun County's defense shut out its opponent, the Raiders fell victim to a ruthless Handley rushing attack at home Friday in a 49-21 loss in their second game.

Handley junior running back Jeremiah Wilson put on a display of power and speed, rushing for 283 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Judges to the win.

"He was good," senior quarterback Joe Bushrod said, shrugging.

A trick play pulled Loudoun County to within a touchdown just before halftime, and it seemed as if the Raiders were in for a fight. But in the second half, Wilson broke out in a big way, running for 184 yards and three scores to break open the game.

"They didn't pull off the dogs," Bushrod said. "They kept running it."

Handley jumped to a 21-7 lead with two touchdown runs by Wilson in the second quarter, the first for 13 yards and the other 46.

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Loudoun County vs. Handley

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Loudoun County's Michael Ayoub is all alone as he hauls in a second quarter pass from Chase Williams. (Preston Keres)

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Loudoun County's Michael Ayoub watches as his fumbled ball rolls away from him for a turnover in the first quarter. (Preston Keres)

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Loudoun County's Joe Bushrod scrambles from Handley's Robert Galloway during a fourth quarter broken play. (Preston Keres)

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The captains meet at midfield for the coin toss. (Preston Keres)

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Loudoun County's Adam Yesuf spins through Handley's Timar McFarlane (30) for a touchdown in the second quarter. (Preston Keres)

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Being rushed by Handley's Jacob Decker, Loudoun County's Austin Campbell throws an interception for a touchdown on his first play of his game after substituting for an injured Joe Bushrod. (Preston Keres)

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Handley's Jeremiah Wilson leaps through the Loudoun County defense in the first quarter. (Preston Keres)

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Loudoun County's Michael Ayoub races for a 53-yard reception in the fourth quarter. (Preston Keres)

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Brody Barrett (54) and the Loudoun County football team walk onto the field before the game. (Preston Keres)

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But with seconds remaining in the first half, quarterback Joe Bushrod bounced a lateral to tight end Chase Williams at the Loudoun County 44-yard line. Williams caught the ball on the skip and turned to find an open Mike Ayoub across the field for a 56-yard touchdown.

"We could have done better. I threw that bounce pass to Chase that was terrible," Bushrod said of the play.

Loudoun County wasn't able to capitalize on the momentum gained in the third quarter, as both teams initially struggled to find the end zone. Then, when Bushrod went out for a play with a cramp, the Judges' Robert Galloway picked off a pass and returned it 22 yards for a score to give Handley a 28-14 lead.

Loudoun County answered back on its next drive, when Bushrod found Williams on a nine-yard pass, but on the Judges' first offensive play, Wilson showed his speed and strength, sprinting 63 yards down the sideline to put the lead back up to 14.

From there, Loudoun County never recovered. Another interception returned for a touchdown was called back because of a block in the back, but Wilson scored from 51 yards to make it 42-21.

With about two minutes remaining, Handley again went to Wilson, who scooted for a 36-yard touchdown to close the scoring.

"With a running back like that, with his speed - and we knew about it - he was able to bounce and get to the outside," Bushrod said.

Handley opened the scoring on Wilson's one-yard touchdown run with 8:20 remaining in the first quarter before Adam Yesuf evened things with a three-yard plunge on a drive kept alive with two big catches for Williams.

The Judges picked off five passes during the game, although Bushrod threw for 211 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Ayoub turned in a big night, catching 10 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. Chase Williams hauled in seven passes for 88 yards and a score.

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

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