Prep Football: North celebrates; Orange moves on

BY JUSTIN RICE

North Stafford and Orange shook hands after the Wolverines’ 57–0 win Friday and the two teams went in separate directions, both literally and figuratively.

The Wolverines (9–1, 7–1) gathered in the end zone, to celebrate their share of the Commonwealth District title and a Northwest Region playoff bye.

And Orange (1–9, 0–8) gathered around longtime coach John Kayajanian for one last post-game talk in 2012. It’s been a tough road for the Hornets in their two-year stint in the Commonwealth, and Kayajanian said he was proud of the players who have stuck with the program.

“It’s been tough,” said Kayajanian, whose team was also

1–9 overall and 0–8 in the district in 2011. “I’ve felt for these kids the last two years. I never thought these kids would have to go through this.

“I thought we could be a little bit more competitive.”

While Orange won’t suit up again until its 2013 return to the Jefferson District, North Stafford will play again soon.

The Wolverines scored nearly every way possible in the first half Friday—rushing, passing, with kick and punt returns, an interception, a fumble recovery and even a safety—and had a commanding 57–0 lead at the break.

North Stafford shared the Commonwealth District crown with Colonial Forge, and will have a bye to the region semifinals.

And the bye should help. North Stafford didn’t play in the first week of the regular season, and could use the rest after 10 straight game weeks, Wolverines coach Joe Mangano said.

So North took time to celebrate, while Orange bid the football season farewell, with players and coaches sharing hugs and talking about a more successful future.

“I take my hats off to these kids,” Kayajanian said. “It’s been a tough road.

“Orange will be fine. Orange always comes back. It’s a great place to coach. It’s going to take a little time, but we’ll be back again.”

Orange 0 0 0 0 — 0

North Stafford 22 35 0 0 — 57

First Quarter

NS-K. Dadzi 9-yard run (kick failed)

NS-Safety

NS-B. Ravenel 73-yard kick return (J. Slye kick)

NS-J. Slye 53-yard fumble recovery (J. Slye kick)

Second Quarter

NS-C. Watkins 20-yard run (J. Slye kick)

NS-C. Watkins 32-yard run (J. Slye kick)

NS-B. Ravenel 7-yard pass from J. Sarratt (J. Slye kick)

NS-B. Ravenel 33-yard interception (J. Slye kick)

NS-A. Shegog 66-yard punt return (J. Slye kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

Or NS

First downs5 12

Rushing yardage16-(-21) 32-186

Passing yardage154 33

Passes14-26-1 3-9-0

Punts-Avg.5-29.2 1-29.0

Fumbles-lost3-2 1-1

Penalties-yards4-31 2-15

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: North Stafford—Cedrick Watkins 3-57, 2TD; Kwesi Dadzi 7-50, TD; Jacob Woodard 5-23; Anthony Shegog 5-22; Denzel Opoku 3-14; Jalen Sarratt 1-11; Brandon Ravenel 1-5; Naukym Morton 6-3; Nick Gooden 1-1. Orange—Isaiah Ferguson 8-12; Taiquan Jackson 1-2; Mikael Wallace 3-(-9); Garrett Johnson 4-(-26).

Passing: North Stafford—Jalen Sarratt 3-9-0 33, TD. Orange—Garrett Johnson 14-26-1 154.

Receiving: North Stafford—Raun King 1-18; Brandon Ravenel 2-15, TD. Orange—Cameron Rickett 4-66; Christian Clore 3-33; Matthew Thurston 4-31; Dillon Johnson 2-15; Isaiah Ferguson 1-5.

Justin Rice: 540/368-5045

jrice@freelancestar.com

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