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Loudoun County records signature win
WINCHESTER -- The rise of Loudoun County High School's football program took a big step Sept. 12 against host James Wood.
Facing a 2007 playoff team that opened this season with consecutive victories, the Raiders started sloppy and surrendered a cosmetic score on the final play of the game, but dominated play in between to bring home a 23-20 win to Leesburg.
Following a 17-game winless streak, the Raiders (2-1) have now won four of their last six games dating back to 2007. Loudoun County will enjoy a bye week before kicking off its Dulles District schedule Sept. 26 at Park View.
"This is the biggest win for us," Raider second-year coach Todd Hill said. "We've talked about wanting to get a signature win. We wanted to beat a great program. We think we've beat two good programs now with this one and Musselman. We hope this will send us off in the right direction, feeling good about ourselves as we get ready for the district schedule."
James Wood (2-1) took advantage of two Raider turnovers in the first quarter to hold leads of 7-0 and 14-7. County senior quarterback Joe Bushrod, who was intercepted twice in the first nine minutes of the game, produced the Raiders' first points with his five-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.
County moved the ball effectively throughout the half. Spencer Green and Bushrod each rushed for touchdowns in the second quarter to help the Raiders take a 21-14 advantage into halftime.
County's offense continued to move the ball in the second half but came up empty on the scoreboard. The Raiders' best chance to score surfaced after Bushrod connected with Michael Ayoub on an 81-yard completion in the fourth quarter. Ayoub hauled in Bushrod's pass just past the midfield stripe and looked to be on his way to scoring when James Wood's Harlan Robinson ran him down and tripped him up at the Colonels' three-yard line.
The Raiders netted zero yards during the next three plays to set up a fourth and goal with 3:02 left in regulation. Hill decided to attempt a 20-yard field goal in hopes of extending the lead to more than a touchdown. But the snap was high and holder Austin Campbell was forced to collect the ball and run towards the end zone. The Colonels' defense was there to stuff Campbell at the one-yard line as James Wood regained possession still trailing by just seven.
"Just stay strong," Raider receiver/safety Tim McLister said of the team's mindset when James Wood was able to stay within striking distance. "You have to be optimistic and stay strong no matter what happens."
That optimism paid off two plays later as the Raider defense stepped up once again. County defensive end Mike Howard tripped up quarterback Trae Tinsman in the end zone for a safety to push the lead to 23-14 with 2:20 left in regulation.
"They played their hearts out. We went into a 53," Hill said of his team's defensive alignment consisting of five linemen and three linebackers. "We knew they predominantly wanted to run the football so we put an extra linebacker in the box. We haven't shown that all year. We've been working on it and thought tonight was the night to bring it out. We did an outstanding job. Everybody in the front eight did just a wonderful job."
The Colonels scored on the final play of regulation to trim the final margin, but it did little to dampen the elation on the Raider sidelines.
"Our coaching staff was great this week," McLister said. "They keep pushing us and reminding us what we need to do. [James Wood] is a great team, but in the end we just came out stronger."
Hill was not only estatic to gain the road victory against a quality opponent, but was also pleased to see the continued development of Bushrod at quarterback. Bushrod completed 12 of 24 passes for 245 yards in the victory.
"I think he grew up tonight," Hill said. "I think he is learning what the expectations are of playing quarterback. Last year, he was an athlete thrown into the fire. He wasn't ready to play but gave us what he could. This year he is starting to learn what my expectations are and how I want things done. Over the last two weeks, he's really grown."
Raider stat leaders
Passing: Bushrod (12 of 24 for 245 yards, 2 int.)
Rushing: Green (12 for 64 yards, TD); Bushrod (17 for 36 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Ayoub (4 for 141 yards); Vera-Tudela (4 for 44 yards)
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