Purcellville, Va. — In front of a packed stadium in Purcellville, the No. 4 Tuscarora High School and No. 3 Woodgrove High School football teams stood on the sideline waiting for kickoff in what was sure to be a battle of the heavy weights. The Wolverines entered hoping to defend their home turf, while the Huskies came in looking to avenge a 2018 regular season loss to eventual VHSL 4A State champion Woodgrove.
The 2018 matchup proved to be an offensive slugfest as the teams combined to score 70 points.
The 2019 matchup fared a bit differently as three special teams plays and a goal line stand by the Tuscarora defense proved to be the difference as the Huskies held off the Wolverines, 13-12, on September 13.
“That’s the defending 4A State champs. That’s our goal. That’s what we want to achieve,” Tuscarora head coach Brandon Wheelbarger said. “Tonight was a huge measuring point for us to see where we stack up, especially coming into their place.”
[adrotate banner=”38″]With about nine minutes to play in the first half, Woodgrove was driving deep inside Tuscarora territory. After picking up a first down, the Wolverines were just seven yards away from opening the scoring in a 0-0 game. Four plays later, faced with 4th-and-goal from the 1, Tuscarora junior defensive end Matei Fitz busted through the Woodgrove line and crushed the Woodgrove ball carrier in the backfield, forcing a turnover on downs.
“Our defense has a bend, don’t break mentality,” Wheelbarger said. “We know that if we get backed up a little bit, we have kids like Matei, who are going to continue to fight, continue to battle, and keep them out of the endzone.”
Despite being stood up at the goal line, the Wolverines were still the first team to get on the scoreboard as senior quarterback Brett Johnson hit sophomore tight end Price Williams with a 7-yard touchdown pass with 2:44 to play in the first half. Woodgrove missed the extra point attempt.
On the ensuing possession, Tuscarora senior quarterback Ethan Gick quickly led his team downfield, hitting senior receiver Jevonn Gilyard with a 44-yard pitch and catch on the second play of the drive to get the Huskies down to the Woodgrove 20. On the very next play, Tuscarora sophomore running back Bryce Duke found a seam and rumbled 20 yards to the end zone, scoring just 42 seconds after Woodgrove scored. Tuscarora senior kicker Max Skirkanich hit the extra point as the Huskies took a 7-6 lead.
Coach Wheels and I have a great relationship, and that’s why I have so much confidence. He’s only putting me out there if he thinks I can make it.
–Max Skirkanich
Coming out of the half, the Husky defense forced another turnover on downs inside Woodgrove territory. Gick and co. moved the ball down to the Woodgrove 19, before Wheelbarger sent his trusty place kicker out to attempt a field goal. Skirkanich once again proved reliable, drilling the 36-yard field goal, extending the Tuscarora lead to 10-6.
“The offense was doing everything they had to do to get me in position. Our defense had a great game. I just went out there and did my job,” Skirkanich said. “It feels nice, but it’s a whole team effort.”
About five minutes later, Woodgrove (2-1) pulled a trick out of their back pocket on a 4th-and-14 from the Tuscarora 18. Johnson took the snap, threw a lateral to junior receiver Bailey Burton, who then turned a tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Tyler Blizzard. The Wolverines elected to go for 2, but the Tuscarora secondary deflected the conversion attempt.
Trailing 12-10 heading into the fourth quarter, Tuscarora knew there was a lot of game left, and they knew they wanted to play with the lead. This time, Gick – who ran for 84 yards and threw for 160 more – drove the ball down to the Woodgrove 16, and Skirkanich again trotted out. With ten minutes to play, Skirkanich hit his second field goal of the night, this one the eventual game winner.
“Max has been on me about trusting him more,” Wheelbarger said. “I finally listened to him, and rightfully so, because that was the difference in the ball game.”
Defeating the reigning VHSL 4A State champs is a positive sign for the Huskies, who reclassified from 5A to 4A starting this fall, however, there is no rest for the weary as Tuscarora (2-1) hosts West Virginia-power Musselman on September 20 in Leesburg.
“Our goal is still the same. We know where we want our end game to be. We know what’s still ahead of us,” Wheelbarger said. “We can’t relax too much, because we get Musselman next week, and they’re one of the best teams in West Virginia.”
Jeff Vennitti captured 100+ photos at the game…
Scoring
| Period | Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 2Q | 2:44 | Woodgrove | Brett Johnson to Price Williams 7-yard TD pass (PAT missed) | 0-6 |
| 2Q | 2:02 | Tuscarora | Bryce Duke 20-yard TD run (Skirkanich PAT) | 7-6 |
| 3Q | 7:36 | Tuscarora | Max Skirkanich 36-yard field goal | 10-6 |
| 3Q | 2:41 | Woodgrove | Bailey Burton to Tyler Blizzard 18-yard TD pass (2pt failed) | 10-12 |
| 4Q | 10:02 | Tuscarora | Max Skirkanich 33-yard field goal | 13-12 |