The Virginia Episcopal Bishops defeated Fredericksburg Christian 48-20 to capture their first ever State football championship. The Bishops won the D3 State Private Schools championship after winning only one game last season. The turnaround probably surprised even the most ardent Virginia Episcopal supporter.
"We had to get people excited about football," Virginia Episcopal head coach Albert Jennings said. "Even at the bonfire, I'm not sure if everyone knew what to do. It was something new."
The VES faithful should get use to celebrating. The Bishops built their character coming back from several deficits during the season and their "never stop believing" attitude carried them all the way to the state championship.
The Bishops didn't need a comeback against Fredericksburg Christian jumping out to a 21-0 lead before cruising to a four touchdown win. Perhaps mindful of their own comeback prowess, the Bishops kept the pressure on all game recovering an onside kick after taking a 27-7 lead and throwing a touchdown pass with 6:26 remaining in the game to go ahead 48-14.
Amazingly, there was no scoring in the first quarter for a game with 68 total points, but Virginia Episcopal got on the scoreboard in the second quarter after completing an 11-play drive, that started in the 1st quarter. A 1-yard run by Ronnie Stringfield gave the Bishops a 7-0 lead. A pick six by Trevon Fields and a muffed fumble by Fredericksburg Christian led to two touchdowns in the second quarter.
Fredericksburg Christian scored on a 73-yard strike from Bret Barham to James Mason with 25 seconds left in the second quarter to cut the lead to 21-7 at halftime. The Eagles begin moving the ball on the first series after the break but senior Wyatt Slominski intercepted a pass to end the drive.
The Bishops capitalized on the turnover driving eight plays to setup a 1-yard touchdown run from Brendon Short to extend the lead to 27-7 with 5:28 to go in the quarter. Quarterback Tom Creasy threw two perfectly place balls for touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to make the score 48-14 with six minutes to go. Creasy finished 11 of 20 for 191 yards and three touchdown passes. Fredericksburg Christian added a touchdown when Barham and Mason hooked up again from 51-yards ending the scoring at 48-20.
The Eagles lost their emotional leader and best defensive player when senior Cody Goode had to leave the game after the third play of the game with an injury to his arm, Goode, whose injury occurred while making a sack, tried to re-enter the game in the third quarter but he was force to leave right away. Goode was a key blocker on offense and he has five rushing touchdowns. He led the defense with over 100 tackles.
Players of the Game
VES Trevon Fields - made a great break on the interception stepping in front of a pass and returning it 40-yards for a touchdown. Fields also had four receptions for 96 yards and a beautiful over the shoulder touchdown reception.
VES Ronnie Stringfield - running back gained 148 yards and scored three touchdowns. He had two rushing touchdowns from 1-yard and 21-yards out and he caught a short screen pass and turned it into a 37-yard touchdown with a great downfield block from Dante Jefferson who laid out a would be tackler. Stringfield (5-foot-9, 185) runs stronger than his size portrays.
VES Brendon Short - the Bishops ground attack flourished behind Short who used his 6-foot-2, 220 pound frame to deliver punishing blocks. Short also scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Fredericksburg Christian James Mason - big play receiver scored two touchdowns on his only two receptions for 124 yards. Mason also had five tackles.
Photos from the D3 State Championship
This post was edited on 11/18 10:51 AM by wgarlick
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