Prep Football: Ravenel glad to be back on field

WOLVERINES SENIOR RECEIVER HAS BIG NIGHT TO CLAIM VICTORY BELL

BY JUSTIN RICE

Brandon Ravenel gave the Victory Bell a solid final ring. He had a lot to celebrate beyond just North Stafford claiming the grand rivalry prize with a 49–20 win against Stafford on Friday.

Ravenel, who missed the Wolverines’ last two games, returned in grand fashion, catching 14 passes for 173 yards and four touchdowns.

It’s the third time in the last four years North Stafford has captured the bell— the prize for the winner of the annual Stafford–North Stafford game—and for Ravenel, it was particularly sweet after standing on the sidelines watching the last two Friday nights.

“I’ve never watched a varsity football game in my life,” the senior said. “I’ve been starting since I was a freshman. I never want to do that again.”

He caught scoring throws of 5, 43, 12 and 13 yards from sophomore quarterback Jalen Sarratt, who was making just his second varsity start.

The Wolverines built a 21–0 lead after the first quarter, including a 46-yard interception return by Anthony Shegog.

They led 35–7 at the half, having scored with 2 minutes, 50 seconds left in the second quarter on Ravenel’s 43-yard catch.

And Ravenel hauled in a 12-yard over-the-shoulder fade from Sarratt to make it 42–7 on North Stafford’s first second-half possession.

North Stafford coach Joe Mangano said the Wolverines didn’t go into the game intending to target Ravenel so frequently—the Wolverines threw his way 15 times—but that Sarratt made smart decisions.

“It’s just how it worked out,” Mangano said. “If it’s there, throw it, if it’s not, don’t.

“Jalen’s very intelligent. He’s got a high football IQ. He’s able to do a lot of stuff mentally.”

Stafford (3–6, 3–4) takes diminishing playoff hopes to Brooke Point next Friday to conclude its regular season. The Indians are off on Nov. 2, when most teams will be wrapping up the year.

North Stafford (7–1, 6–1) plays at Battlefield in a nondistrict game next Friday. The Bobcats appear to be a Division 6 playoff team and Mangano said he expects a postseason atmosphere.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” he said. “We’ll know more about ourselves when we play Battlefield.”

North Stafford 21 14 14 0 — 49

Stafford 0 7 6 7 — 20

First Quarter

NS-B. Ravenel 5-yard pass from J. Sarratt (J. Slye kick)

NS-K. Dadzi 4-yard run (J. Slye kick)

NS-A. Shegog 46-yard interception (J. Slye kick)

Second Quarter

NS-K. Dadzi 37-yard run (J. Slye kick)

St-B. Bolinsky 4-yard run (A. Williams kick)

NS-B. Ravenel 43-yard pass from J. Sarratt (J. Slye kick)

Third Quarter

NS-B. Ravenel 12-yard pass from J. Sarratt (J. Slye kick)

St-D. Harris 75-yard pass from B. Bolinsky (kick failed)

NS-B. Ravenel 13-yard pass from J. Sarratt (J. Slye kick)

Fourth Quarter

St-D. Harris 5-yard run (A. Williams kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

NS St

First downs20 16

Rushing yardage29-191 37-175

Passing yardage193 164

Passes16-21-0 6-15-1

Punts-Avg.1-44.0 5-37.0

Fumbles-lost4-0 0-0

Penalties-yards3-20 2-21

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Stafford—Traevon Richardson 11-90; Billy Bolinsky 15-56, TD; Da’Shawn Harris 8-30, TD; Devin Stowell 2-8; Steven Cropp 1-(-9). North Stafford—Kwesi Dadzi 9-83, 2TD; Rais Mouad 6-37; Anthony Shegog 5-27; Cedrick Watkins 4-23; Jalen Sarratt 4-20; Morton Naukym 1-1.

Passing: Stafford—Billy Bolinsky 6-15-1 164, TD. North Stafford—Jalen Sarratt 16-21-0 193, 4TD.

Receiving: Stafford—Da’Shawn Harris 1-75, TD; Evan Greening 2-37; Trey Spindle 1-30; Dylan Lane 1-22; Brandon Williams 1-8. North Stafford—Brandon Ravenel 14-173, 4TD; Raun King 3-33.

Justin Rice: 540/368-5045

jrice@freelancestar.com

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/sports/2012/10/19/prep-football-ravenel-glad-to-be-back-on-field/