For anyone that grew up in Arlington, Va this thread is for you

[jbooma]

Congrats Generals!!!!!!!

WL beat Yorktown this past Saturday for the first time in 28 years!!!! The game was in the playoffs and at Yorktown so it meant a lot. Having played in this game back in 91-92 I know what it means personally.

http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2010/11/16/arlington/news/nw88q.txt

By virtue of a big upset Nov. 12, two long high school football streaks ended, one team’s season finished earlier than expected, while a Cinderella now waltzes on to the second round of the playoffs.

With their 28-7 road triumph over the No. 2 seed and National District champion Yorktown Patriots (9-2) in an all-Arlington Northern Region Division 5 first round playoff showdown, the Washington-Lee Generals (6-5) snapped an agonizing 28-game losing streak against Yorktown. Prior to that win, 1982 was the last time W-L defeated the Patriots.

Also, the loss halted Yorktown’s 31-game winning streak against its two Arlington public-school rivals.

“It’s an honor to beat Yorktown, because they work so hard over there and have always done such a great job,” Washington-Lee head coach Josh Shapiro said.

With the win, the Generals advance to the region semifinals to face the host and No. 6 seed Hayfield Hawks (7-4) on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Washington-Lee defeated Hayfield, 23-7, during the regular season.

By topping Yorktown, which blanked the Generals, 14-0, just a week earlier in the final regular-season game, the playoff victory is Washington-Lee’s first since 1975 when it finished second in the region.

The Generals were able to turn the tables on Yorktown behind a strong and busy running game, led by tailback Anthony Taylor, who has more than 1,500 yards rushing this season. The senior led the way by rushing for 256 yards on 42 carries. He scored all of W-L’s touchdowns on runs of 68, 9, 18 and 5 yards. Luis Torres kicked four extra points.

The Generals’ game plan was to run and pound the ball.

“It’s an advantage to play a team two weeks in a row, because we were able to look at the film from that first game and made some blocking adjustments to find a little crease for Anthony,” Shapiro said.

Washington-Lee’s offense line of Brian Miller, Paris Ebert, Ian McLennan, Dan Guenther and Levi Herrera cleared the way.

“We were able to block them well. We kind of ran it down their throats,” Miller said.

Added Ebert: “We wanted this game more than they did. We were able to block well and get to their linebackers. Anthony really lowered his shoulders and ran through their defenders.”

Washington-Lee led 14-0 at halftime and was up 28-0, before Yorktown scored on a late fourth-quarter pass from Andy Rockelli to Nick Yore, and Michael Dola’s extra point.

“They made us look bad, like we kind of had no talent,” Yorktown coach Bruce Hanson said. “We had very little energy offensively. I can’t explain it. They did a really nice job. They outplayed us and we lost. The credit should go to them. They will be playing next week and we will not be.”

The Generals had 421 total yards compared to Yorktown’s 224. Washington-Lee quarterback Rigo Salguero rushed for 68 yards and completed 5 of 8 passes for 95. Both teams turned the ball over three times. The Generals’ Nate Young had an interception in the end zone.

Yorktown’s offense was slowed when starting quarterback Jordan Smith was hurt in the second quarter and did not return. He completed 5 passes for 86 yards before leaving. The Patriots also were without a couple of other key starters.

“Jordan got hurt, but I don’t want to blame that,” Hanson said.

Keesean Braithwaite had two catches for 24 yards for W-L, Seth Whitmore had one for 61 and Moussa Diallo led the Generals’ defense.

NOTE: Yorktown coach Bruce Hanson ends the season with 197 career wins. He should reach 200 next fall.