2022.10.14 Football: Loudoun County @ Lightridge

Aldie, VA (October 14, 2022) - With four weeks remaining in the 2022 Dulles District there is still  time for movement in the standings. The top four teams in the District will advance to the Region 4C tournament. The Loudoun County Captains are atop the standings with an unblemished overall and district record, while the Lightridge Lightning sit just out of playoff qualification in fifth place. 

When the two teams met tonight, the young Lightridge program had the home field advantage, but they were going up against a storied County program in the midst of one of their best seasons ever.

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.

Loudoun County took the opening kickoff and proceeded to drive efficiently down the field. That opening drive was capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zachary Hensch. The extra point was blocked by Anthony Donkoh, but the Captains would be back in the end zone again after the first Lightridge drive ended in a punt. With five minutes remaining in the first quarter, County led, 13-0, and it looked like a lopsided victory was probable.

The Lightning defense proved more stingy for the remainder of the period and the entire second quarter. And the Captains were their own worst enemy as each big offensive play seemed to be matched with an untimely penalty. On the flip side, Lightridge was unable to make much progress on offense, but the defense managed to keep County from scoring again before haltime.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, Lightridge's Tyler Bollhorst burst through the line and appeared to give the Lightning a first down inside the Loudoun County 5-yard line. But that play, too, was called back due to a penalty and the Lightning drive stalled again. The offensive pattern for the Captains continued with big plays and unfortunate penalties resulting in a scoreless period.

In the final quarter, Loudoun County relied on the running game to finally return to the end zone. Tandem runs by Montez Dyson and Dean Morrad were too much for the Lightning defensive line, and the Captains led, 20-0. But on the first play from scrimmage after the touchdown, Lightridge had their biggest play of the night. Taking a short pass from Carter Working, Alfred Honesty raced seventy yards for the Lightning touchdown giving the Bolts the momentum they had been seeking.

But County went right back to its punishing ground game and scored again with 3:30 left in the game. Now trailing 27-7, and with time running out, Lightridge turned the ball over on downs and the Captains ran the clock out to preserve the victory.

Final Score: Loudoun County 27 - Lightridge 7