Purcellville, Va. — On senior night, emotions are often heightened. And the emotions can fly even higher when you pair senior night with an important game that could determine your playoff opportunities.
On October 28, the Woodgrove High School football team responded to that challenge by jumping out to an early lead then holding Independence scoreless over the last 38 minutes of the game to celebrate senior night with a 28-7 win and all but secure a spot in the VHSL Region 5D playoffs.
“It was a great team effort, a great team win,” senior receiver and defensive back Alec Hughes said. “I’m really proud of the guys and how we came together. I love these guys, and I’m excited to keep this thing going.”
[adrotate banner=”46″]As much as Hughes is excited to keep this season going, he was even more excited to get the scoring started when he hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Patrick Thomas early in the first quarter to put the Wolverines up 7-0.
“I love getting the team going early. It really fires me up,” Hughes said. “I just want to give my all to this team and help any way I can.”
On the ensuing Independence drive, Hughes jumped a route at the Woodgrove 9 yard line and returned the interception 91 yards down the sideline to quickly extend the Wolverines’ lead to 14-0.
“I was gone,” Hughes said. “I knew with a young quarterback, he was going to try to throw it short, so I just read it and jumped the route. I’m just happy the coaches put me in that position.”
Already in a two-score deficit, the Tigers continued to lean on junior running back Miguel Keller—who carried the ball 11 times for 113 yards in the first half—before he burst into the endzone late in the first quarter to cut the Woodgrove lead to 14-7.
Recognizing what Keller was doing to them, the Wolverines made a defensive adjustment at the half to force the Tigers to the air, holding the Tigers to just 6 carries for 8 yards in the second half.
“That’s a really good team, and they were moving the ball really well,” Woodgrove head coach Derek Barlow said. “We made some adjustments at halftime and moved a guy into the box to slow down the run game. It was a clean, hardfought game. I’m really proud of how our guys played.”
With the Tigers’ ground game under control, the Wolverines’ offense extended its lead late in the third quarter when Thomas hit senior receiver Jaden Boring with a 28-yard touchdown pass. Then, early in the fourth quarter, Thomas carried in a touchdown of his own to put the game out of reach and help solidify a playoff berth for the Wolverines.
Currently sitting in the No. 7 spot in the VHSL Region 5D standings, the Wolverines will look to secure their spot in the region playoffs when they host rival Loudoun Valley on November 4 in Purcellville.
Woodgrove’s strong core of seniors has been preparing for this moment since 16 of them started during their sophomore year—and they’re not quite ready to stop donning the navy and green.
“These seniors are great leaders by example,” Barlow said. “I called them in before senior night and told them I wanted to keep this thing going because I love coaching them. I’m just really proud of how they responded.”
Sam Mesecar captured 400+ photos at the game!
Scoring Plays
| Period | Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 1Q | 8:51 | Woodgrove | Patrick Thomas to Alec Hughes 19-yard TD pass (Avery Mayers PAT) | 7-0 |
| 1Q | 6:52 | Woodgrove | Alec Hughes 91-yard interception return TD (Avery Mayers PAT) | 14-0 |
| 1Q | 2:01 | Independence | Miguel Keller 1-yard TD run (Nick Nassib PAT) | 14-7 |
| 3Q | 2:36 | Woodgrove | Patrick Thomas to Jaden Boring 28-yard TD pass (Avery Mayers PAT) | 21-7 |
| 4Q | 8:17 | Woodgrove | Patrick Thomas 4-yard TD run (Avery Mayers PAT) | 28-7 |