Game Time Blog

Welcome to the News & Messenger’s Friday night Under The Lights edition of the Game Time Blog.

By DAVE UTNIK

Game: Gar-Field (1-0) at Stonewall Jackson (0-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

PREVIEW

WHERE’S EARL? There’s no rain in sight. Thankfully. Hurricane Earl has moved up the East Coast without visiting Virginia so it’s bright and hot in Manassas. Good thing there are fans in the press box. Oh, wait. No there aren’t. And since the windows don’t open, it’s pretty much a sauna. Awesome.

KICKOFF: Gar-Field will receive the opening kick, looking to improve to 2-0 after last week’s 14-7 victory over Potomac. The Raiders are attempting to bounce back from a 27-21 opening week loss to Martinsburg (W.Va.).

NOW THAT’S A KICKER: Stonewall senior Mnguni Lange, a 5-foot-10, 206-pound defensive end, kicked off for Stonewall. Interesting.

NOW THAT’S DEFENSE: The Indians were inside the 25 yard line and looking to take an early lead before the Raiders’ forced a fumble and senior cornerback Manny Sandoval recovered for Stonewall.

BOOMING IT: The Raiders’ first drive didn’t amount to much. It sort of stalled where it started. Stonewall running back C.J. Burnes serves double duty as a punter and he’s a pretty gifted kicker. His first punt of the night went 37 yards.

SO CLOSE: Gar-Field receiver De’Vonte Piggott almost came up with a 30-yard TD catch, but the ball went right through his hands in the end zone.

I’VE GOT YOUR BACK On the very next play, Shakeem Copeland made up for the dropped pass by taking a handoff and running 30 yards for the score. With 5:29 left in the first quarter, it’s Gar-Field 7, Stonewall 0.

IT’S THE C.J. BURNES SHOW: Another Raiders’ drive has failed to produce a first down and Burnes is back to punt—again. Raiders’ fans might want to get used to this. They’re probably going to be seeing a lot of Burnes dropping back in punt formation this season based on what’s happened the first couple of series tonight.

SELF DESTRUCTION: Gar-Field could have a 21-0 lead right now if not for a pair of self-inflicted wounds—a fumble inside the 25 and, just now, an offensive pass interfence call that turned a first down inside the 15 into a fourth down at the 45. 

AND THERE"S A FIRST DOWN: The Raiders just picked up their first first down of the night with an 18-yard pass from Anthony Pearson to Chase Lopez. Maybe Burnes can rest his kicking leg for a few more minutes.

AT LEAST THEY DIDN’T PUNT: The Raiders tried a flea flicker on 4th down from the 30 but Pearson’s pass was knocked down by Indians’ defensive back Corey Bonds. Gar-Field has taken over on downs and is putting together a drive of sorts that is nearing midfield.

WELL THAT DIDN’T GO ANYWHERE:  After a promising beginning, Gar-Field’s drive went only 20 yards and the Indians were forced to punt. Stonewall will give offense another try—this time from the 18 yard line.

RUNNING BACK UNIVERSITY: Was that Damien Thigpen or Ryan Williams? Nope. It was senior Jerry Budd, the latest featured athlete at Running Back University. After nearly turning the ball over at the 18, the Raiders tied the game with an 82-yard run by Budd, who broke free and sprinted down the left sideline in Williamsesque fashion. It’s 7-7 with 4:55 left in the half.

MOMENTUM SHIFT: Budd’s touchdown has apparently fired up the Raiders, who have just forced a punt. Budd is back to receive. Stonewall takes over at the 19.

MOMENTUM SHIFT, PART 2: So much for that. Gar-Field DB LaRon Hinton just picked off Pearson. The Indians have set up shop at the 19. They’ve got just over three minutes to take the lead.

AND IT’S NO LONGER TIED: Jordan Miles dove head first across the goal line on third down from the 1 to give Gar-Field the lead. Of course, they promptly missed the extra point. It’s 13-7 with 2:09 remaining in the half.

RAIDERS ON THE MOVE: Jerry Budd has Stonewall in a position to take the lead after picking up 32 yards on a handoff out of the spread formation. 28 seconds left. The Raiders are at the 38.

THAT DIDN’T REALLY WORK: Pearson was just intercepted again to end the half and the Indians will take a 13-7 lead into halftime.

THIS BUDD’S FOR YOU: After gaining only 39 yards last week against Martinsville, Jerry Budd has rushed for 142 yards and one touchdown in the first half against Gar-Field. 

HELLO AGAIN: The second half is underway. Stonewall has possession to start the third quarter. Alas, the drive looked vaguely familiar. Three plays and a punt. At least Burnes booted a whopper of a punt and backed the Indians up to their own 15 yard line. That’s where Gar-Field will begin its first possession of the second half.

HURRICANE BUDD: The Stonewall Jackson Raiders officially have a new star in the backfield with Jerry Budd, who can put on some moves at the line of scrimmage. Forget about it when he gets into the open field. Nobody is going to catch him. Budd has just scored again—this time on a 22 yard-run. He’s got 176 yards and there’s a quarter-and-a-half to go. 

COSTLY TURNOVER: A Raiders’ fumble has led to a go-head touchdown by Gar-Field junior David Bailey, who ran 15-yards on the final play of the third quarter to put the Indians back in front 20-13.

BURNING IT UP: Stonewall isn’t ready to concede anything just yet. C.J. Burnes returned the kickoff more than 50 yards to the Gar-Field 36 yard line. 1st and 10 for Jerry Budd and company.

1ST AND GOAL: Budd has returned to the field after taking a few snaps off to recover from leg cramps and the Raiders are at the 10 yard line. 8:51 remaining.

GAR-FIELD GETS TOUGH: The Indians defense, which has allowed more than 200 rushing yards tonight, just stopped Stonewall four times inside the 10 to hold onto the lead. Gar-Field has possession at the 5 with 7:46 remaining.

SO YOU’RE TELLING ME THERE’S A CHANCE:  Gar-Field failed to pick up a first down and used up less than 2 minutes on a short possession when a long drive could have run out the clock. Budd returned the punt to the Indians 35. 5:31 to go. Stay tuned. There’s drama a brewin.

GETTING CLOSER: It’s 1st and 10 from the 24 for the Raiders after Burnes picked up 11 on a handoff from Budd.

ANOTHER FIRST: Quarterback Anthony Pearson couldn’t find an open receiver so he took matters into his own hands, uhh legs, to pick up a first down. 1st and 10 at the 13. 2:33 to go.

HEY BUDD: The star just got a little brighter. Jerry Budd’s third TD run of the night has tied the game. He scored on an 11-yard run, giving him 210 yards on the night. And there’s still 2:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. It’s 20-20.

A NEW HERO: Jerry Budd and company have a chance to win the game thanks to senior linebackers Robert Clanagan and Sean Powley, who caused and recovered a fumble respectively. Stonewall has the ball at the 36 with 58 seconds left. 

EXCITING FINISH: Craig Walker just caught a pass from Anthony Pearson on 4th down to set up a 1st down at the 26. There are 49 seconds to go.

ALL LEG: With 40 seconds left, Stonewall’s Nasrat Hussaini is lining up for a 43-yard field goal attempt.

SO CLOSE: Hussaini missed a booming kick just inches wide of the left post. The Indians take over at the 20. They’ve got 30 seconds to go 80 yards. It’s looking a lot like OT.

OVERTIME: Stonewall has first possession from the 10 in overtime. And the Raiders get nothing. Hussaini’s 29-yard field goal attempt sails wide left again. It’s Gar-Field’s turn.

GARFIELD 26, STONEWALL JACKSON 20: De’Vonte Piggott’s 10-yard run on first down gives the Indians their second win of the season. The Raiders fall to 0-2. That’s it from Manassas. Have a great holiday weekend.