Football: Stonewall running game enjoying early season success
By Michael Petre (Daily Staff Writer)
QUICKSBURG — There was just something different about them. Maybe they were more fired up. Maybe they were releasing some extra energy accumulated during the long bus ride.
Or maybe they just enjoyed playing in beautiful downtown Berryville.
Whatever it was, the Stonewall Jackson offensive line erupted at Clarke County last Friday, paving the way to a dominating performance in the Generals' 49-14 victory.
"I don't know what got into them," Stonewall quarterback Patrick Smoot said Thursday afternoon. "They blew off the line pretty fast."
Smoot said coach Dick Krol gave the offensive line a bit of a pep talk before the game. Whatever was said, it paid off in spades.
"[Krol] told them they had to step up a little bit," Smoot said. "They stepped up huge."
Before the season, the line looked like it might be the Achilles heel of an otherwise a potentially dominant offense. The skill players in Krol's Power I formation — Smoot and running backs Richard Long, Carlos Delgado and Kyle Harlow — seemed capable of overwhelming pretty much any team the Generals (2-0) might meet, but only if they had a hole or two to squeeze through.
So far, that hasn't been a problem.
"Our line was looking shaky," Delgado said. "We've still got some people switching in there, but our backs are good."
That's an understatement. Long might be the most complete player in the area, and he's showing just that early in his junior year. He already has 290 yards rushing and 57 more receiving. Averaging more than 10 yards every time he touches the ball, Long moves the chains as effectively as anyone.
Add in Delgado — who has been limited by a sprained right ankle since the preseason — and his two rushing scores, and the Generals have a pair of backs looking to break the big play at a moment's notice.
"It's incredible how well we're doing with our running game this year," Smoot said, drawing a nod of agreement from Delgado. "You don't have to worry about them not running hard or whatever; they're always going to be there behind you."
Delgado said he is a little disappointed with his offensive output — 90 yards on 21 carries, a 4.3-yard average — so far.
"It's horrible, man," he said. "I do have an injury, but that shouldn't stop me."
Little has slowed the Generals to this point, but the visit of Bull Run District contender George Mason tonight might do just that. The Mustangs boast wins against a Group AA (Dominion) and a Group AAA (J.E.B. Stuart) team, and running back Travis Greene is a playmaker of Long's ilk.
Both Smoot and Delgado pointed to the line as playing a pivotal role — although this time it's the defensive line, which needs to plug holes and keep George Mason's Wing-T offense under wraps.
"We've got some small, quick guys, and that might help on some plays," Smoot said. "But they run such a tight offense that, if you go back too far too quick, you're going to miss the play completely."
After limiting Clarke County waterbug Lee Liggins to 47 yards on 16 carries last week, the defense has another tall order in Greene. There are parallels between the two runners, Delgado said, which could help the Generals tonight.
"Liggins would probably deliver more of a load when he hits just because he's short and stocky," Delgado said. "Greene, he's tall and lanky and quick, and he's got speed, too. He's got a lot of moves on him, but other than that, I don't think we'll have a problem getting him down if we wrap his legs."
Sporting the confidence that comes with an offense that's clicking, Smoot said he was comfortable with the matchup.
"If we stop their running game, I think it's ours," Smoot said.
"I don't know if they can touch ours."
R Contact Michael Petre at mpetre@nvdaily.com
Marginalia
Stonewall Jackson's rushing attack has been overwhelming, leading the Generals to victories against Central and Clarke County.
Junior RB Richard Long: 27 carries, 290 yards, 10.7 average, five TDs
Senior RB Carlos Delgado: 21 carries, 90 yards, 4.3 average, two TDs
