High school football notebook: Stafford ends losing streak against Colonial Forge in style
Friday night produced a feeling that hasn't been felt inside Stafford High School in more than a decade.
Senior quarterback Zion Gray's scramble to glory in the end zone with 1 second left clinched an incredible 35-31 comeback win, ending a 12-game losing streak against Colonial Forge
"It was a hard-fought performance," Gray said. "We had to prepare week in and week out. We knew this was going to be a tough battle, so we just had to go in there and give it our all."
Down 14-0, this game between two of the best teams in the Commonwealth District and two unbeaten powers felt like it was going the way of those dozen games prior.
However, with a high-octane senior duo of Gray and running back Michael Creamer leading the way, Stafford finally pulled through, producing an incredible postgame scene on the field for the team and students who rushed the field after.
"They stepped up when we needed them to," Stafford head coach Jeff Drugatz said. "On our offensive line, we had some kids get sick. They stepped up and they had to believe. ... This proved to our boys that they can compete."
It might have been a dogfight all game, but Stafford (5-0, 1-0) competed and competed hard, led by an solid offensive attack on the ground. The Indians compiled nearly 500 yards of total offense and more than 400 of that came on the ground, all from Gray and Creamer.
Gray, who ran in an 11-yard touchdown with 1 second remaining in the fourth quarter, finished with three total touchdowns and more than 250 yards of total offense.
Creamer, while putting together yet another 200-yard rushing performance, tied the Stafford school record for most touchdowns in a career with 33 after a two-touchdown performance on Friday.
"It's great," Creamer said. "We take a lot of the pressure off each other. When they bite down on me, he pulls off 80-yard runs and vice versa."
Both had lengthy touchdown runs in the win, a 58-yard run for Gray and an 83-yard run for Creamer, both in the third quarter. That third quarter made all the difference at the end of the day as Stafford came alive, scoring 14 points as it trailed, 24-21, going into the fourth.
Stafford's second half spark was impressive to watch, outscoring Colonial Forge (4-1, 0-1), 28-17, over the final 24 minutes of play.
"It's a tough ending for us," Eagles head coach John Brown said. "Hats off to them. They stuck with what they do."
Gray's heroics on the final play continue what's shaping up to be a stellar season for unbeaten Stafford.
"It definitely felt good," Gray said. "There were a lot of emotions running through my mind, but to never beat a team in that many years, it feels good to finally get a win and celebrate with my guys."
North Stafford continues red-hot start
Last season, North Stafford went winless, taking a double-digit losing streak into this fall, but the tides have changed dramatically for the Wolverines, taking down Brooke Point, 34-20, on Friday to improve to 3-1 on the season.
The Wolverines took the initiative early on, building a 21-7 halftime lead before the defense took over, holding the Black-Hawks to under 250 yards of total offense.
"We prepared and worked our butts off this off season," North Stafford head coach Marquez Hall said. "We just played North Stafford football."
Micah Brown just missed out on his third 100-yard rushing performance in his first four games this season and quarterback Chase Sullivan was steady, throwing for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Massaponax's struggles continue
For the second time in three seasons, Massaponax has begun 1-4 after a fourth-straight loss on Friday night, losing 21-0 to Mountain View at home.
The Panthers, despite some strong offensive performances in the early going, have struggled to find an identity, being held to 20 points or fewer in three of five games this season. Blowout losses against Louisa County and Matoaca saw the Massaponax's defense allow 45 points or more in both games as well.
Things don't get much easier either for the Panthers. They face a gauntlet of a conference schedule with the likes of Colonial Forge, Stafford and North Stafford over the next five weeks.
William Butler had an all-time night for Eastern View
Talk about a performance: Eastern View wide receiver William Butler did just that in a 42-21 win over Caroline on Friday.
There isn't much more to say about someone who caught three touchdown passes and recorded 250 receiving yards in one game, averaging 25 yards per catch.
The Cyclones made a big statement in the Sept. 21 home win over Brooke Point and on Thursday, they backed up that performance in a massive way with 550 yards of total offense against the Cavaliers.
With AP Hull under center, Butler hauling in touchdowns and senior Brett Clatterbaugh making plays on both sides of the ball, Eastern View is a dangerous team to see get hot.
Alex Murphy:
Sports reporter
