GOOCHLAND – On Friday, Goochland passed a major test.
Faced with its biggest challenge since Fork Union in early September, the Bulldogs were business as usual against a potent Central Lunenburg team that entered the contest riding a six-game win streak.
Goochland used its well-balanced offense, racked up 328 rushing yards and secured the 28-14 win to remain unbeaten (9-0).
“It’s been a long week. I’ve been stressed out and amped up because of the game,” Goochland coach Joe Fowler said. “We didn’t expect to be undefeated at this point in the regular season and we were able to get through our non-district schedule in one piece and then we got in the district and we’re playing really well. To get an opportunity to play a 6-1 Lunenburg team when we’re 8-0 is a great opportunity in front of a big crowd on a beautiful Friday night as it turned out to be.”
A trio of seniors – Cordell Mattox, Marcus Burton and Calvin Martin – paced the Bulldogs in the backfield, who threatened to have three 100-yard ball carriers on the night.
All three backs helped move the ball effectively on Goochland’s opening drive before Martin raced in the end zone untouched from 20 yards out. Zach Gordon added the point after attempt to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 6:48 to play in the first quarter.
All three backs helped move the ball effectively on Goochland’s opening drive before Martin raced in the end zone untouched from 20 yards out. Zach Gordon added the point after attempt to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 6:48 to play in the first quarter.
The Chargers (6-2) answered with a 15-play drive, capped by a 1-yard TD by senior Malik Foster.
Goochland wasted little time in getting back on the scoreboard, as Mattox followed blocks from Martin and Burton, found an opening and raced 63 yards down the right sideline for the score. The 6-0, 175-pounder paced the Bulldogs with 110 yards on eight carries.
“The play all started when I got the first block from the linemen. Nobody came inside, all the gaps were closed and I got straight to the 8-hole outside,” Mattox explained. “As soon as I saw those blocks [from Martin and Burton], I was able to run straight ahead and score no problem.”
The quick play seemed to take the wind out of the Chargers’ sails, and Goochland forced the visitors to go three-and-out on their following possession.
The Bulldogs used another methodical drive to extend their lead and never looked back as Burton sprinted 31 yards for the score. Martin made his way in for the conversion to give Goochland a 21-7 advantage.
The defense forced the Chargers to come up short on fourth and seven on their ensuing drive and gave the Bulldogs good field position with 37 seconds to play in the half.
Goochland decided to make the most of the opportunity, as Mattox followed his blockers 42 yards into the end zone. Gordon converted the PAT to give the Bulldogs a 28-7 halftime lead.
Goochland decided to make the most of the opportunity, as Mattox followed his blockers 42 yards into the end zone. Gordon converted the PAT to give the Bulldogs a 28-7 halftime lead.
“Everything starts with [the linemen]. They practice so hard and we just go off what the linemen do,” Mattox said. “If they block inside, we go outside, if they block outside, then we go inside – we just read the blocks from them. “
Goochland’s defense executed its game plan as well, getting a couple of timely stops in the second half to preserve the win. Martin picked off a Foster pass late in the third to thwart a Lunenburg drive. And then the Bulldogs forced the visitors to turn the ball over on downs as Clay Brooks led the way on a stop on fourth-and-three.
Foster, who led the Chargers with 129 yards on 22 carries, added a late touchdown (17-yard run) before Goochland got the ball back and ran out the clock.
“We felt like we needed to grind the clock and with a 21-point lead, we felt like the clock was our biggest ally,” Fowler said. “We didn’t score a lot of points. But they’re not built to come back from 21 points down, and we got them out of their base offense, and that really gave us an advantage.”
Burton toted the ball 15 times for 101 yards and Martin carried the ball 15 times for 91 yards.
Goochland closes out the regular season next Friday at Bluestone.
“We want to keep the intensity up as a team and keep fighting hard,” Brooks said. “You never know where the season will take us if we keep staying humble and keep playing hard every single game.”
