Bird adds to its collection of Dominion District titles

Branden Williams had a pressing question during the postgame gathering of the L.C. Bird football team.

"Who dumped the water bucket so quick?" Williams wanted to know.

To which Bird coach David Bedwell had a quick response: "You should know I'm always one step ahead of you."

When you've won as many championships as Bedwell and the Skyhawks have, you learn how to escape the traditional liquid-over-the-head celebratory gig, especially on a cold night.

Bird wrapped up its ninth consecutive Dominion District title with a 31-12 victory over homestanding Manchester last night, earning the second-ranked Skyhawks (7-0, 9-0) yet another trip to the Central Region, Division 6 playoffs.

This helps puts into perspective how consistently good they've been: The Skyhawks have won 43 of their past 44 district games.

"It's something that's in the back of our minds," Bird quarterback Anthony Harris said. "We don't want to let Coach and the alumni down. It's a big challenge."

This championship was fashioned the same way the rest were: with a relentless ground game. The Skyhawks had 250 yards rushing, some long drives and some big plays against Manchester (4-3, 5-4).

They also had some improvised runs by Harris. After Manchester trimmed the lead to 14-6 late in the second quarter, Bird faced third and 17 on its 49.

Harris scrambled out of trouble and turned it into a 51-yard touchdown with less than a minute left, re-establishing momentum.

The 6-2, 180-pound junior, who didn't play quarterback until this year, finished with 119 yards on 10 carries.

"There are two things that make him a really good football player," Bedwell said. "He competes. And he's just able to create things when something's not there."

The Skyhawks also had some good fortune. After Manchester stopped Bird in the second half, the Skyhawks got the ball back at the Lancers' 23 when the punt touched a Manchester player who was trying to block.

Bird turned that into an 11-yard TD by Harris.

"They expect to win," Manchester coach Tom Hall said. "That's what separates them from other teams. Other teams have to work to try to close the margin.

"They very rarely give you openings. If they do, you have to take advantage of it. We didn't take advantage."

Each year, Bedwell takes advantage of a rainy day by marching his team into the gym so his players can look at the championship banners. Then he challenges them with, "Is this going to be the senior class that doesn't have their year up there?"

It won't be this year's class.

"This feels good," Harris said. "It enables us to walk around with our head up high. But we know we've got to go on and achieve bigger goals."

L.C. Bird ------------------------- 7 14 10 0 -- 31
Manchester ------------------------- 0 6 0 6 -- 12

Bird -- Sayles 4 run (Keck kick)

Bird -- Sayles 4 run (Keck kick)

Man -- Bivens-Reed 17 run (kick failed)

Bird -- Harris 51 run (Keck kick)

Bird -- Harris 11 run (Keck kick)

Bird -- FG Keck 27

Man -- Winston 18 run (run failed)
RUSHING

L.C. Bird -- Harris 10 carries, 119 yards, L. Williams 21-72, Sayles 9-32, Myles 4-24, Brown 1-3; Manchester -- Chiles 16-79, Winston 9-56, Bivens-Reed 1-17, Hackney 3-12, White 1minus-2.
PASSING

L.C. Bird -- Harris 3 completions, 8 attempts, 0 interceptions, 65 yards; Manchester -- Winston 2-5-1minus-2, White 0-4-0-0, Bivens-Reed 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING

L.C. Bird -- B. Williams 1-29, L. Williams 1-22, Jones 1-14; Manchester -- Chiles 1-3, Winston 1minus-5.