Sterling, Va. — The South Lakes and Dominion High School football teams faced off in 2017, with the Seahawks coming away with a 42-10 victory. During the offseason, both teams lost key players on offense and defense, including their starting quarterbacks and main offensive weapons. When the two teams faced off a year later, the cast of characters was different but the movie ended the same way, as the Seahawks rolled to a 35-7 victory over the Titans on September 13 in Sterling.
“Props go to Dominion. They always give us problems, and I think you saw that in the first quarter,” South Lakes first-year head coach Kevin Healy said. “Their coaching staff threw out a plan we weren’t quite ready for. Testament to our kids for responding.”
[adrotate group=”4″]The game – moved to Thursday night due to the threat of Hurricane Florence – was a struggle from the beginning for the Titans. The Dominion offense as a whole was unsteady, as the Titans failed to drive down the field for most of the game. Dominion’s only points, in fact, came in the form of an 85-yard kickoff return touchdown by junior Steve Zegbe.
On the other sideline, the Seahawks had their way with the Titans defense, running all over them to the tune of 380 yards rushing. South Lakes led by senior running back Nicholas Napolitano, who tallied 155 of those rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He also gained 40 yards on two receptions.
South Lakes sophomore quarterback Marcus Miles was efficient once again, going 13-for-17 for 143 yards.
“I always have nervous moments every game,” Miles said. “It always comes back to me. How I get better is to overcome those little jitters and just play, just play the game. That’s what it’s all about.”
South Lakes head coach Kevin Healy echoed his shot caller, but noted Miles continues to progress.
“He’s a kid who we know every week is going to get a little better,” Healy said. “He has some sophomore jitters, but he doesn’t wilt. For some sophomores, the pressure would have been too big; for this kid, it’s not.”
At the end of the first quarter, the game was scoreless. Dominion failed to gain a single first down, going 3-and-out on both of their drives. On the other side, the Seahawks gained four first downs and were threatening to score down at the Dominion 26 before penalties forced them to punt.
Later in the game – leading 14-0 – South Lakes was faced with a 4th-and-goal from the Dominion 1-yard line. It was a moment where the Titans might have been able to gain some momentum, but Napolitano broke a tackle by Dominion sophomore linebacker Thomas Wajsgras behind the line and trotted in for a touchdown that essentially ended the game.
“The linemen were really helping out,” Napolitano said. “Just punching the holes and just allowing me to run as fast as I can.”
It was a big game for South Lakes senior wide receiver Joseph Dagbe, who picked up 80 all-purpose yards on two rushes and four receptions and scored two touchdowns, the second one an awe-inducing play as he broke three Titan tackles en route to a 22-yard touchdown.
Dagbe hopes to keep that momentum rolling as South Lakes (3-1) travels to perennial powerhouse Centreville (4-0) on September 21.
Dominion (2-2) will look to regroup before beginning its Dulles District schedule against Heritage (3-1) at Park View on September 21.
