Stone Bridge rolls past West Springfield
By Carl Lukat
The Stone Bridge Bulldogs began the 2008 season in the same dominating fashion they concluded the 2007 campaign, racing to a 35-point halftime lead against West Springfield and cruising to a 42-28 victory Aug. 29 in Ashburn.
"I think our quick start really put them in a bind," Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson said.
Cornerback Andrew Ansell stepped in front of a third-and-3 pass from West Springfield's Bryn Renner on the game's opening drive, giving Stone Bridge its first possession at the Spartans' five-yard line. On the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage, senior quarterback Patrick Thompson ran it in for the game's first score.
"If we hadn't gotten that pick on their first drive, the game might have gone a little differently,” coach Thompson said.
Patrick Thompson originally was expected to miss up to four regular-season games after rupturing a tendon on the ring finger of his throwing hand during an Aug. 15 scrimmage. But he started the season opener at quarterback and was effective. Wearing a glove over his splinted right hand, he completed seven of eight passes for 210 yards and three TDs, all in the first half.
Michael Prince also had a huge game for the reigning Virginia Division 5 champions. Prince racked up 198 total yards on offense and scored four touchdowns -- two receiving and two rushing. Zach Thompson found the end zone as well, hauling in a 51-yard touchdown pass from his twin brother, Patrick Thompson.
West Springfield, highly ranked by several area publications, scored 21 unanswered points with the game already well in hand in the fourth quarter to reduce the final margin.
Renner, committed to North Carolina, completed 23 of 35 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Staff writer Jason S. Rufner contributed to this story.