Potomac Falls, VA (February 4, 2020) - As the 2019-20 season starts to wind down some games will have more importance than others. The matchup between the visiting Woodgrove Wolverines and the home-standing Potomac Falls Panthers was one of those games.
Entering the game, Woodgrove was undefeated in Potomac District play at 8-0. Potomac Falls was right behind them with just one loss, and that came at the teams' previous meeting in January when the Wolverines won 45-36.
With virtually identical overall records, the two teams were set to play for first place in the district and top-seeding in the post-season tournament. Unfortunately, the outcome of this game would be tainted by the flu. As a result, the Woodgrove JV team would replace the varsity in this key contest.
Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.
Potomac Falls bolted out to an early first-quarter lead, and went ahead 10-2 before Woodgrove could even get going. But a late surge by the Wolverines narrowed the gap to 10-7 as the period ended, swinging some of the momentum back toward Purcellville.
Midway through the second quarter, Woodgrove gamely went ahead, 16-14. That advantage was short-lived, however, as Ashley Pandelides scored for the Panthers pushing them to an 18-16 lead at halftime. At that point, it looked like this one could go either way.
But after the break Potomac Falls simply blew the game wide open. A 6-0 run led by Ashley Allen was only the beginning as the Panthers outscored the Wolverines 21-2 in the period effectively ending any hopes that Woodgrove had of a comeback. The Panthers' stifling defense was responsible for allowing the visitors just five points in the entire second half.
Both teams still have some difficult remaining games so things can change between now and season's end, but Potomac Falls clearly made a strong statement this time. Give good credit to the Woodgrove JV for their effort, but, hopefully, good health will return soon for the Wolverines.
Final Score: Potomac Falls 44 - Woodgrove 21
