Complete effort carries Goochland

GOOCHLAND -- Credit Goochland's 23-0 victory over previously undefeated Western Albemarle last night to the Bulldogs' relentless defense.

And their smash-mouth running game.

And their thorough preparation, their desire, and their steadfast refusal to be intimidated by adversity.

"The kids bought into our plan," defensive coordinator Dan Summitt said. "They understood it. They came out and executed. They did a wonderful job."

With the Jefferson District title on the line, the Bulldogs (6-1, 9-1) held the Warriors' high-octane offense to 170 yards (45 rushing, 125 passing), limited quarterback Stephen Schuler to 10 completions in 27 attempts and intercepted him three times.

Going mainly up the gut, they ran 56 plays for 366 yards and picked up 16 first downs.

"We said all week that we didn't know if anybody had lined up and hit them in the mouth," Goochland coach Joe Fowler said. "We made a conscious effort to run right into the teeth of their defense and see how they reacted.

"We felt like that was our strength, and it might be their weakness."

The Bulldogs' victory over the Warriors (6-1, 9-1) started ominously when they fumbled the opening kickoff.

Their defense held, though, and then put them on the board when Austin Jordan tackled Cody Davis in the end zone for a safety late in the first period.

With his team up 2-0 midway through the third period and facing a third-and-13, Willie Ezell took a pitch from quarterback Matthew Henley, found an opening on the right side, and lit up the visitors, who are ranked No. 6 in Group AA by The Associated Press, with an 81-yard touchdown.

"It was 24 power," said Ezell, a 6-0, 200-pound senior. "We wanted a first down, but I wanted more.

"We needed a big play. We needed to break their hearts. We needed to keep playing hard, keep the pedal to the metal, step it up."

Three minutes later, Schuler had the Warriors on the move, but outside linebacker B.J. Clark picked off a pass and returned it 84 yards for a score.

"I read the quarterback's eyes," Clark said. "I stayed home, and it came right there to me.

"I ran it back. Touchdown. Couldn't believe it."

Dustin Plummer contributed the Bulldogs' final score with a 13-yard run to end a 10-play, 75-yard drive that began with Brandon Henry's interception.

With the victory, the Bulldogs, No. 9 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, share the district title with Western Albemarle in their first year in Group AA.

"This win means a lot," Ezell said. "It shows everybody that we can do it.

"It means, don't sleep on us."

Western Albemarle ------------------------- 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Goochland ------------------------- 2 0 14 7 -- 23

G -- Safety (Jordan tackled Davis in end zone)

G -- Ezell 81 run (Cooke kick)

G -- Clark 84 interception return (Cooke kick)

G -- Plummer 13 run (Cooke kick)
RUSHING

Western Albemarle -- Schyuler 8 carries, 39 yards, Davis 2-3, Diehl 2-3. Goochland -- Ezell 8-129, Athey 14-91, McKenna 14-84, Plummer 13-48, Henley 6-22, Clark 1-minus 6.
PASSING

Western Albemarle -- Schuler 10 completions, 27 attempts, 3 interceptions, 125 yards. Goochland -- Henley 0-4-1-0.
RECEIVING

Western Albemarle -- Ward 5 receptions, 51 yards, Losco 3-46, Kuzjak 2-28.