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Explosive second half, Thigpen's injury help Eagles destroy Stonewall, 41-0
The sight of Stonewall Jackson running back Damien Thigpen dressed and cleared to play for the first time this season last Friday night caught Liberty coach Tommy Buzzo’s attention, and probably caused some gray hairs to try to sprout.
A University of Tennessee recruit in football and track, Thigpen is uncatchable in the open field, and Buzzo knew his Eagles, coming off a demoralizing loss to Osbourn the previous week, could be in huge trouble if Thigpen ran wild in his season debut after an ankle injury.
At the end of the game, the heralded Thigpen walked to his locker room with a spotless jersey as Raiders coach Mike Dougherty made the safe decision to hold his lightning fast senior out.
The Eagles (4-1, overall, 1-1 Cedar Run District), meanwhile, celebrated a 41-0 home triumph that restored confidence heading into Friday’s mega-confrontation with Cedar Run District favorite Battlefield.
“We knew he wouldn’t play. We’re optimistic about next week,” Dougherty said.
Again, a lack of offense (and Thigpen) doomed Stonewall, now 0-5 and 0-2.
Liberty outscored the Raiders 34-0 in the second half, making the home locker room a joyous place after a week of self-analysis following the Osbourn loss.
“I'd be lying if I said it’s been a smooth week. These kids have been scared to death to lose,” said Buzzo. “Some of our confidence is back, but I would not say the swagger.”
It’s no secret that Liberty’s quest to make the playoffs after three straight non-playoff seasons has become an all-out obsession, which made the Osbourn setback so difficult to swallow.
Not only did the Eagles lose their district opener on Sept. 27, but they were dominated. Buzzo described a tricky week of practice as coaches tried to rebuild team spirit.
Senior receiver Derrick Lee said some of his teammates became emotional at the idea their season was over.
“Our confidence shot up a lot in the last week. We were fighting each other, we had a team meeting to settle it all, and become a family again.…We were mad about the loss, some thought our season was over, but it’s not, and we have to stay strong,” he said.
Quarterback Nick Potts said morale is returning. “We knew we had to channel it and keep fighting,” Potts said.
The game was actually closer than the final score.
Liberty led 7-0 at halftime, courtesy of Wayne Fleming’s 24-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second quarter...
See the Wednesday print edition of the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story.
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