Cavaliers Fight Back in First Half, Lose the Second

Coming off back-to-back wins, the Woodson Cavaliers hoped to extend their winning ways on Friday night when they hosted the West Potomac Wolverines at Pat Cunningham Stadium. West Potomac had other plans, however, as they pulled away from Woodson in the second half for a 31 – 21 win in a tightly played contest.

West Potomac wasted no time getting on the scoreboard after returning the opening kickoff into Woodson territory. Facing a third down-and-long from the 41-yard line, Wolverines’ QB Caleb Henderson connected with Tyrone Jenkins deep down the left side line for a touchdown to put West Potomac in the lead with less than a minute off the game clock.

Two series later, after the Wolverines again drove into Woodson territory, Cavaliers defensive end Mike Reaves sacked Henderson for a big loss, forcing a punt. Woodson’s second series was short-lived, however, stymied by a fumble recovered by Rontrell Peyton at the Cavs’ 24-yard line.

The Wolverines took advantage of the turnover and struck again when Henderson found Joseph Marinelli open over the middle for 19-yard touchdown. The score and the extra point put West Potomac in front 14 – 0 with 4:44 left in the first quarter and the game seemed on the verge of a Wolverines’ romp.

Early in the second quarter West Potomac was deep in Woodson territory and looking to score. The Cavs’ Jonathan Stokes then made a play that stopped the Wolverines’ drive and momentum when he picked off a Henderson pass at the goal line and returned the ball out to Woodson’s 25-yard line.

Woodson took full advantage of Stokes’ interception. On first down after the turnover, Cavs’ QB Stephen Tapp hit Marcus Dash in full stride deep down the right side line. Dash hauled in the ball and sprinted untouched 75 yards into the end zone for the score. Sam Heaney’s extra point closed the gap to 14 – 7 with 10:39 in the first half.

Later in the half, West Potomac added a field goal to up its lead to 17 - 7, but Woodson responded in short order to stay in the game. Starting from its 20-yard line after the kickoff, Woodson moved out to its 36-yard line. Jonathan Stokes took over from there. He took a handoff from Tapp and bolted over right tackle and down the right side line before being tripped up at the Wolverines’ one-yard line. Jake Peavy scored on a short run two plays later, and Heaney’s PAT moved Woodson to within three points, 17 – 14.

Woodson’s defense held West Potomac on its following series to force a fourth-and-long situation. The Wolverines opted for a fake punt attempt, but Woodson snuffed out the play and took possession at West Potomac’s 49-yard line with 2:00 to go in the half.

Woodson could not advance and punted back to West Potomac. Once again the Cavs’ defense stifled the Wolverines drive, this time when Cavs’ defensive back Zack Monday picked off a deflect Henderson pass at the Wolverines’ 39-yard line.

Woodson then turned again to Stokes. He took consecutive carries deeper into Wolverines’ territory, before capping the drive with an 18-yard scoring run with only 18 seconds left in the first half. To the delight of the home crowd, Woodson went into halftime with a 21 – 17 lead.

After halftime Woodson failed to generate any sustained offense and West Potomac stopped the Cavs from breaking big plays as they did in the first half.  The Wolverines eventually regained the lead midway through the third quarter and never trailed again. They added a final touchdown late in the game to complete the final score of 31 – 21.

Woodson travels to Burke next Friday to take on rival Lake Braddock in another Patriot District contest.