Seahawks Looking To Get Back On Track Vs. Robinson

RESTON, VA — When the South Lakes High football team entertains Robinson on Friday night at 7 in its home opener, the Seahawks will be a chastened and wizened team.

“We had some things to tighten up,” quarterback Mohamed Shuaib said after his 9-for-19 performance in last Friday’s 38-21 loss at Osbourn. “We learned about ourselves,” said receiver/DB Will Kouadio, who caught a late touchdown pass from Shuauib. “We didn’t think we could get beat. Now we know we can.”

The problem is the Rams from Robinson are also looking to avenge an opening-week loss – a 22-8 setback against South County. And they may be more ready to break out in Week 2.

“They’re much improved. They’re very good. They have everyone back,” said South Lakes Coach Jason Hescock of Robinson. “They are physical on both sides of the ball, and they are battle-hardened.”

That said, the Seahawks are healthy – lineman Milo Wilkins will be back after hyperextending his knee in the Osbourn game. And they are finding some people they can rely on. Sophomore Cameron Soto stood out in the defensive backfield, Hescock said, and Canyon King, a senior, has made a name for himself on the defensive line.

On offense, Hescock said the Seahawks were happy with the play of Cody Wood, who gained 40 yards and scored two touchdowns on 11 carries last Friday. Alec Saunders also played well at running back – spelling Wood for two series after a tough hit in the second quarter. He finished with just six yards rushing, but he had two long runs called back by penalties.

Also, South Lakes’ junior kicker, Nicholas Bertoni, missed the first game and may not be available Friday night. But his backup, James Marburg, authoritatively booted through all three extra-points in the Osbourn game and earned the trust of the coaches.

“Marburg stepped up and did a good job,” Hescock said. “Just another example of a kid stepping up when we needed him and delivering.”

Hescock said teams improve most from the first week to the third week, and he expected to see an improved team this week. He said there are still starting positions up for grabs and that the competition for playing time has made practices competitive and intense.

The Seahawks’ 42-0 victory over Robinson last season gained them their first notice in regional polls and started the ball rolling toward a Concorde District championship and the only 10-0 regular season in school history. When the current seniors were freshmen, they scrimmaged Robinson and came away with what would be their only “victory” of the season.

This year’s game affords those seniors and their teammates a chance to get back on the right track.

“We had a lot of things to address – pocket presence, moving my feet and being more accurate for me – and we’ve worked hard on them this week,” Shuaib said. “This is our chance to show we fixed what we needed to fix.”