Strasburg Seeks Higher Seed in Region B Playoffs
With at least a fourth seed in the Region B playoffs already secured, Strasburg (7-2, 3-1 Bull Run) will use its final regular season game against George Mason (2-7, 0-4 Bull Run) as a late tune-up.
The Rams are currently tied with Manassas Park in both wins and VHSL Power Points, but a 14-0 victory over the Cougars earlier in the season gives them the tiebreaker. A Strasburg win and a Manassas Park loss (they host district leader Brentsville) would secure the third seed for the Rams, but this is easier said than done.
The past two victories against the Mustangs have not come easily. In 2000, Strasburg overcame a late scoring threat to eke out an eight-point win. Last season, after running through the season with a perfect 9-0 record, George Mason gave the Rams a scare before former quarterback Joe Bauserman led the team back to a 26-22 victory.
The Mustangs, who will be playing their third game in a week, have struggled this season. After a 6-4 record last year, Mason returned only five total starters (two on offense, three on defense) and compiled a 2-7 record, including a winless record in the Bull Run district. In their past two games, the Mustangs have been outscored 56-0 by Manassas Park and Brentsville, and they haven’t won a game since September 27th.
One returnee, Matt Williams, has switched positions. The junior, who was a running back last year, now lines up under center, leading Mason’s Wing-T, Option offense. The other returning starter, Reggie Whittaker, who holds the honor of being the fastest player on the Mustang team, takes over as the featured halfback.
The offense has averaged 7.9 points per game and scored a season-high 22 points against Middlesex. They will face a Strasburg defense that is holding opponents to just 10.1 points per game and 202 total yards per game.