The Fluvanna football team was hosting the Goochland Bulldogs for the Flucos’ Senior Night festivities. The crowd was buzzing, anticipating another win for the resurgent program fighting for a playoff berth, a win that could give the Flucos some momentum heading into their season finale at Monticello.
Goochland had other ideas. One idea in particular.
“We told ourselves that we control our own destiny so when we come in here and win, we just got ourselves into the playoff picture,” said Lucas Weaver who had the game-winning pick six for the Bulldogs.
Powered by stifling defense the Bulldogs left with the upset victory 7-6 over the Flucos and breathed new life into a potential playoff bid.
Both defenses set the tone right from the start, getting big stops on the first drives of the game. They didn’t let up as the game went to the second quarter still scoreless at 0-0. Nearly the entire second quarter saw more of the same, as both offenses really struggled to sustain any sort of drive.
But then the Fluco defense came up with the game’s first big play, forcing a fumble to set their offense up at their 43 yard line with about 35 seconds left before halftime. Two plays later, William Lambert found Logan Wade downfield for the 57-yard score to put the Flucos on the board. The failed two point try gave them a 6-0 lead going to halftime. Lambert ended the game going 10-20 for 153 yards and a touchdown and a pick, while Wade led the way receiving with five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.
With Fluvanna holding the momentum heading into the locker room, the Bulldogs knew they still had to play their brand of football.
“Our kids were fired up, we had some motivation that we kept hardening all week, and I think tonight they just came out and played Goochland football,” said head coach Alex Fruth.
That started with tough, gritty defense that continue throughout the remainder of the game.
On the first Fluvanna drive of the second half, the Flucos were moving down the field, but then a pass from Lambert found the hands of Weaver, who immediately made the most of the pick. He took the interception all the way to the house, helping to give the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead with 6:01 to play in the third.
The defenses continued to maintain their dominance after that, with neither team being able to get anything going against each other. The Flucos’ defense got a big stop to give their offense the ball with a little over two minutes to play.
The Flucos drove all the way to the Goochland 17 yard line, but the a sack and three forced incompletions from the Bulldog defense sealed the win with a final score of 7-6. Joseph Popielarz had a good night to help the Bulldogs in the win as well, leading the team in rushing with nine carries for 38 yards.
After the win, the Bulldogs will look to try to finish the regular season strong hosting Louisa next week. Meanwhile, the Flucos will look to try to bounce back in a big matchup at Monticello.
