Woodbridge Football Falls to Stafford in Home Opener

Woodbridge Senior High School's varsity football team succumbed to 0-3 record last night after the home opener after a tough loss to the hands of the Stafford Indians. This may come as a surprise to some as the Woodbridge Vikings are coming off back-to-back 10 win seasons and expectations were high for them to perform at the same level.

Stafford Indians' star running back Deion Smith started off the game last night with some spectacular plays on the opening drive. The first was a 22-yard run around the edge of the Viking defense. Smith's drive ended with a trick play as Smith threw a halfback pass to Deondre Butler who made a great leaping catch for a touchdown.

Woodbridge responded early in the second quarter as their three-pronged rushing attack took care of business against the tired Indians. Viking Zayd Hamilton carried the ball numerous times up the middle, and by doing so gained the tough yards to keep the drive going. Vikings' other running back, Jaylen Avent ran around the defense with amazing open field moves.

Just when Stafford thought they had contained two rushers, WSHS quarterback, Corey Taylor, scampered up the middle and came within inches of a touchdown. Avent got the ball into the end zone a few plays later to tie the game up at 7-7.

Momentum changed in the blink of an eye when Woodbridge was forced to punt a minute before halftime. The punt was a terrible kick which gave Stafford tremendous field position to try drive before the half.

However, last night's rain did make for ideal playing conditions. Stafford quarterback threw an errant toss into the arms of Woodbridge defensive back, Logan Farrar. Farrar then took the interception 65-yards back for the touchdown. Woodbridge had the lead going into the locker rooms, 14-7.

Third quarter came and went as neither team was able to mount enough yards on their drives to put points on the board. Late in the fourth quarter, a shift happened after Stafford's Deondre Butler made some great runs. Stafford's drive was capped off with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Deion Smith, tying the game at 14-14.

On the ensuing kick-off disaster strikes for the Vikings as a line-drive kick bounced off a Viking player into the arms off a defending Stafford Indian. Stafford then had the advantage of an unbelievable field position on the Woodbridge 40-yard line with under three minutes to go.

A 23-yard run by Smith put the ball within a few yards of the go-ahead touchdown. A quarterback sneak did the trick and the Indians went up by seven with under two minutes remaining.

The last minute drive for Woodbridge fell short as Taylor could not connect on his passes due to the rain. Woodbridge suffered a loss to Stafford, 21-14. Now 0-3, Woodbridge looks to rebound next Friday at home against Stonewall Jackson.