For a handful of seniors, it was complete redemption. Last year’s win over Liberty Christian Academy was atonement for the loss in 2013, one that resulted in large part when Woodberry Forest fumbled on a controversial call at it’s own goal line late in the game. Back in Lynchburg for the first time since then, the Tigers wanted to send a message. And they did — not just to LCA, but to the rest of the VISAA — this team is playing at a different level right now.
“I was there two years ago,” said senior receiver Zach Roderick. “I’m proud of this team. This was a statement game and one for our defense. They played amazing, they are back. We played as a team today and it showed.”
Woodberry’s first three opponents were all out of state juggernauts. If Friday was a sign of anything, it’s that the 117th installment of Woodberry football is rounding into form. The Tigers’ offense has been on a three week tear, but the takeaway after the showing at Liberty University was that the defense is back as Woodberry cruised to a 31-7 drubbing of the Bulldogs, allowing LCA into the red zone just once.
“We had a great week of practice coming off of playing three great offensive teams that were all so different,” said Woodberry coach Clint Alexander. “We saw some similarities of theirs from the past and so we really took advantage of some keys, some looks and it made a big difference that we were able to attack. The defense showed up today. They were aggressive.”
The Tigers’ defense forced one punt after another, a pair of turnovers on downs, but the first three and out the team allowed set the tone for the game. Woodberry took the short field and marched down to the goal line. While penalties forced the Tigers back, a 36-yard field goal gave the visitors an early lead in the first quarter.
From there, the Woodberry passing attack flexed its muscles. Playing with excellent field position all night, quarterback Lindell Stone worked the ball to his bevy of receivers early. A 33-yard touchdown to Terrell Jana in the first quarter made it 10-0. Then a 25-yard touchdown pass to Khalid Thomas made it 17-0 going into the break.
The Tigers were able to put the game out of reach in the third with Roderick getting hot. His 41-yard reception on Woodberry’s second possession of the third made it 24-0.
“We get into our spread with Terrell, Khalid, (Thomas Radke) and myself and it’s just hard to cover with that many disciplined receivers,” Roderick said. “It all starts with practice. We’ve got Lindell, he’s amazing. Then we have our routes and it’s just a pain to cover for any defense. Our defense gave us a great look in practice and it made the game that much easier.”
Up comfortably, the Tigers methodically marched down field again and saw Evans Riviere cap the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to inflate the lead to 31-0.
“Our offensive line did a great job today,” Roderick said. “They protected Lindell, gave us time, helped in the run game. Definitely give them credit because they don’t get as much as we do and they deserve it.”
The LCA offense had just one possession in Woodberry territory in the first half, and it wasn’t until the final seconds where the secondary held strong on a pair of hail mary passes to the endzone. All game the Tigers threw different looks at LCA, including many where they played without defensive lineman. While LCA tried to establish the run early, once the Tigers took the commanding lead, the defense got to pin its ears back and get after the Bulldogs on the pass rush.
“Our defensive line stepped it up today, just killing it in the trenches,” said Woodberry senior linebacker Ryan Grady. “We were thanking them as linebackers, they let us do our job. The secondary has always got us covered over the top so there was no passing game. We all just did the job. The energy was great and we were able to keep them to seven. That’s just great.”
Unfortunately for the Woodberry defense, the shutout was marred late in the game. It wasn’t until early in the fourth, and largely because of a pair of penalties that the Bulldogs sniffed the red zone. On fourth and goal from the five LCA was able to convert with a scrambling touchdown pass to the endzone to get on the board and make it 31-7.
Woodberry’s second team offense and defense finished out the game — a welcome sight after three straight grueling matches including last week’s absurd 66-65 overtime win over Bullis.
“The last few games kind of hurt because we gave up so many points and we pride ourselves as a defensive team,” Grady said. “So in practice this week we just got after it, head to the grindstone. Confidence was up coming into this game and we finally did what we had to.”
Stone finished the game going 18 for 27 passing with 292 yards and three touchdowns. Roderick led the way receiving with 134 yards on seven catches. Jana had four receptions for 72 yards. Thomas added 57 yards on his four catches.
The Tigers improve to 3-1 and will play at home for the first time this year as they host Avalon next Saturday at 3 p.m.
