RamPage

An unofficial archive of Strasburg sports.

Tag: Manassas Park

  • Cougars Hand Rams First District Loss

    Cougars Hand Rams First District Loss

    Big Plays Doom Strasburg

    STRASBURG, VA – For four quarters Friday night, Strasburg stood toe-to-toe with forth-ranked team in the state of Virginia. While the Rams displayed impressive determination, a few critical mistakes and the Cougars’ explosive offense ultimately led to a 30-20 Manassas Park victory.

    Strasburg (4-2, 0-1 Bull Run) opened the game with a promising drive, culminating in a 35-yard touchdown run by freshman Josh Kibler, who powered his way into the end zone despite two Manassas Park defenders clinging to him. This early 7-0 lead, however, quickly evaporated.

    The ensuing kickoff was mishandled by Strasburg, with the ball squirting towards the sideline and being recovered by a Cougar lineman near the 50-yard line. Manassas Park capitalized on this advantageous field position, with quarterback Zach Terrell connecting with receiver A.C. Fitchett for a 51-yard touchdown pass.

    Terrell and Fitchett continued to exploit the Strasburg secondary, connecting again for a 31-yard touchdown. Although the extra point was partially blocked, the Cougars held a 13-7 lead with 11:14 remaining in the second quarter.

    Strasburg responded with another successful drive, capped by a second rushing touchdown from Josh Kibler, giving the Rams a narrow one-point lead. Kibler finished the game with 86 rushing yards on 16 carries.

    Following a series of punts, a critical mistake occurred in Strasburg territory. A miscommunication between returners Caylin Valentine and Josh Kibler resulted in the ball bouncing off Kibler’s chest. After a brief review, possession was awarded to Manassas Park at the Strasburg 40-yard line.

    The Cougars advanced 21 yards before the Rams’ defense forced a field goal attempt. Robbie Mele’s 36-yard field goal gave Manassas Park a 16-14 lead at halftime.

    In the third quarter, Terrell extended the Cougars’ lead with a one-yard rushing touchdown. However, Strasburg quickly responded. Brandon Holbert, the Rams’ leading rusher, powered his way into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown, narrowing the deficit to three points. Holbert had a strong game, rushing for 90 yards on 12 carries.

    Strasburg twice threatened to score in the fourth quarter, reaching the red zone on both occasions, but failed to capitalize. Manassas Park sealed the victory with a 71-yard touchdown run by Terrell.

    Led by the strong performances of Holbert and Kibler, the Rams amassed 254 rushing yards. Senior fullback Brian Blevins also contributed significantly, gaining 68 yards on nine carries.

    Junior quarterback Parker Neal was injured in the third quarter. Senior Jeff Musterman, the backup quarterback, replaced him and completed three of four passes for 44 yards.

    Overall, the Rams generated 341 total yards of offense, while their defense surrendered 336 yards, including 153 yards on three significant scoring plays.

  • Football: 2004 Manassas Park Game Notes

    Football: 2004 Manassas Park Game Notes

    Will Terrell and the Cougars Prove Too Much for the Rams?

    After a surprising win last week versus Central, Strasburg (4-1, 0-0 Bull Run) opens Bull Run district play against the biggest hurdle remaining on its schedule, Manassas Park. The 5-0 Cougars are ranked 6th in Group A by Associated Press voters, and are led by third year starting quarterback Zach Terrell. Terrell has already amassed over 1500 yards passing and rushing, and accounted for 22 touchdowns. He along with his favorite targets, senior wide receivers Joe Greene and A.C. Fitchett, power an offense that has averaged 33 points a game. Their defense has been just as spectacular, allowing just 10.2 points per game.

    Coach: Jeff Lloyd (7th year, 50-21-0).

    Mascot: Cougars.

    Enrollment: 613.

    Classification: Group A, Division 2, Region B.

    2003 Record: 12-1.

    Current Record: 5-0.

    Points Scored: 165.

    Points Against: 51.

    Offense: Spread.

    Defense: 4-4.

    Key Returnees: WR A.C. Fitchett, WR Joe Green, OL Bucky Griffen, C Anthony Van Kuren, QB Zack Terrell.

    Key Losses: DL Larry Beatty, WR Ivan Fitchett, T Howard Mighty, DB Reggie Rigaud, RB Michael Roberts, G Sam Wright.

    Quick Hits: In the last nine meetings between the two teams, Strasburg holds a 7-2 record, outscoring the Cougars 231 to 104. … Manassas Park’s last regular season loss was to the Rams, a 14-0 defeat on October 4, 2002. The game will be broadcast by Retro Radio starting at 7:20, on AM-1230/AM-790 and online at www.radioshenandoah.com.

  • Football: 2003 Manassas Park Preview

    Football: 2003 Manassas Park Preview

    Rams Must Win to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

    Strasburg (1-4, 0-0 Bull Run) begins district play this Friday night when they travel to face Manassas Park (5-0, 0-0 Bull Run). In the past three years, this game has received considerable hype, and for good reason. The matchup has overwhelmingly determined which team advanced to the playoffs and claimed the district crown.

    Fast-forward to 2003, and the implications are slightly lower for the Cougars. Manassas Park has moved up to Division 2, giving them a more reasonable chance of post-season play. For the Rams, however, the game retains its immense significance. After a disappointing start to their schedule with four losses, Strasburg likely needs to win the district title outright to extend their season.

    Achieving this against the explosive Manassas Park team will be a challenging task. One advantage the Rams possess is historical dominance. In the past 15 years, the Cougars have only defeated Strasburg once, a 22-14 victory in 1999. This win came under head coach Jeff Lloyd, who holds a 1-5 all-time record against the Rams.

    Leading Manassas Park’s offense for the second consecutive year is the talented Zack Terrell (5-10, 190). The junior enjoyed a sensational season last year, passing for 1,394 yards and rushing for another 439 yards in twelve games. He also scored 25 total touchdowns. However, his performance against Strasburg was less impressive. The Rams’ defense limited him to 13 completions in 19 attempts for 119 yards, most of which came late in the game. Strasburg also intercepted him once and held him to zero rushing yards on 15 attempts. This year, Terrell has been instructed to prioritize passing over running.

    The Rams also effectively neutralized Terrell’s favorite target, A.C. Fitchett. Another junior, Fitchett had a productive sophomore season, catching 20 passes for 546 yards and eight touchdowns in just eight games. Against Strasburg, he caught four balls for 45 yards. Joe Greene is another potential pass-catching threat.

    Manassas Park’s rushing attack has struggled against the Rams in recent years. In the past three meetings, the Cougars have gained only 256 yards on 78 carries, averaging a meager 3.28 yards per attempt. The graduation of three-year starter Price Ward left a significant void in the backfield for Lloyd. Seniors Michael Roberts and Ivan Fitchett have attempted to fill this gap admirably. Their combined career statistics against Strasburg consist of one carry for a loss of nine yards.

    On the defensive side of the ball, Manassas Park was forced to replace four starting linebackers. This was evident in their first game, where they surrendered 34 points to the pass-heavy William Monroe. However, the Cougars have allowed only 6 points since then and have shut out three teams. Notable players include second-team all-state defensive tackle Sam Wright. Lining up outside of him at defensive end is all-region standout Howard Mighty. Ivan Fitchett occupies Ward’s former position at free safety.

  • Rams Extend Basketball Season

    Rams Extend Basketball Season

    The Ram’s basketball season was extended at least one more game, by way of a 67-49 win over Manassas Park (8-14). Playing in their first game in a week Strasburg came out sluggish, holding only a four-point lead and allowing Cougar guard Sidney Welch to score 16 of his game-high 21 points in the first half alone. In the second half, the Rams tightened their defense, finally putting away Manassas with a strong fourth period. Jason Gutierrez, who had the assignment of guarding Welch, held him to only five second half points, including shutting him out the last eight minutes. Gutierrez also did his damage on the offensive side of the ball, racking up a team-high 18 points. Guard Cody Miller also scored 18, while senior Matt Kupeski contributed 14 points. Strasburg (14-9) will now face number one seed Brentsville (15-7) tonight in the district semi-finals.

    Box Score

    Winchester Star: Strasburg Advances To Semis

  • Strasburg Blanks Manassas Park, 14-0

    Strasburg Blanks Manassas Park, 14-0

    Robinson Leads the Way as Strasburg Blanks Cougars

    STRASBURG, VA – Earlier this week after practice, Manassas Park’s (5-1, 0-1 Bull Run) head coach Jeff Lloyd told his players to start thinking about “the purple”. After Friday night’s 14-0 loss to Strasburg (4-1, 1-0 Bull Run), the Cougars were not only thinking about “the purple,” but feeling the sting of “the purple’s” defense.

    Manassas Park’s much vaunted offense was held in check for three quarters, only moving the ball after the Ram’s had two scores on the board and switched to a prevent defense.

    Sophomore sensation Zack Terrell faced constant pressure, sacked six times and intercepted once. He was also limited to zero rushing yards on 15 attempts. His main target, A.C. Fitchett was limited to just two catches, before grabbing receptions of 17 and 15 yards on the Cougars’ second to last possession.

    The first half was a defensive struggle, with both teams struggling to gain momentum and the first three drives ending in turnovers. The game continued back and forth with little movement of the ball, thanks in part to stellar defense on both sides.

    Strasburg finally found some life late in the second quarter. Starting at their own 37-yard line, the Rams put together a 14-play scoring drive, mixing running and passing before senior Sam Robinson took it in from the one. The touchdown gave Strasburg a 7-0 lead and much needed momentum for the second half.

    The Rams began the third quarter much like they ended the second, taking their opening possession 58 yards, on six plays to up the score to 14-0.

    Senior QB Cody Miller found a wide-open Sam Robinson for 28-yards, followed by an 11-yard burst up the middle from Aaron Barnes. Four plays later junior Jason Wilkins found pay dirt, taking it in from the five-yard line.

    Strasburg would have another chance to add more points on to their total, but failed to do so when Manassas Park blocked a field goal attempt. The two touchdowns would prove to be more than enough though, as Strasburg confused the young Cougars by mixing passing defenses, and containing their running game.

    Manassas Park senior Price Ward finished the night with a sub-par 48 yards on 14 carries (3.43 avg.). Altogether the Cougars tallied only 167 total yards, fewer then the 172 amassed by the Rams backfield alone.

    Sam Robinson led the way with 115 yards on nine carries, and scored his sixth touchdown of the season. Tight end Matt Kupeski had 4 catches for 48 yards, while wide out Jason Gutierrez added two (44 yards) more for Strasburg’s passing game.

    Washington Post: Rams Crack Down on Cougars
    Winchester Star: Rams Shut Down Cougars

  • Football: 2002 Manassas Park Preview

    Football: 2002 Manassas Park Preview

    Rams Host Cougars in Crucial District Showdown

    Friday’s matchup between Strasburg (3-1) and Manassas Park (5-0) will be the Rams’ homecoming game, and it could also determine the Bull Run District championship.

    The district champion automatically advances to the regional playoffs. The early Region B playoff race is fiercely competitive, with William Campbell (5-0), Riverheads (4-0), and Stonewall Jackson (3-1), along with the Cougars and Rams, all vying for the four available spots. Strasburg is currently tied with Stonewall for the fourth seed, making this game crucial for their playoff hopes.

    The fourth-ranked Cougars (according to the Associated Press poll) boast a potent offense. Manassas Park averages over 36 points per game, led by the impressive play of first-year quarterback Zack Terrell. The sophomore has demonstrated both speed and agility outside the pocket but has been particularly effective as a passer.

    In five games, Terrell has completed 36 of 68 passes for 792 yards (158.4 yards per game). His favorite target is fellow 10th-grader A.C. Fitchett, who has caught seven of Terrell’s eleven touchdown passes. The duo connected twice last weekend, leading the Cougars to a 14-13 victory over previously unbeaten Washington & Lee (2001 Group A, Division 2 champions).

    Joining Terrell in the backfield is senior tailback Price Ward (5-8, 150). While Ward had limited success rushing against the Rams in two games last season (14 yards on 11 carries), he did catch seven passes for 70 yards.

    Despite having to replace a majority of their starters, the Manassas Park defense has been successful. The 2002 Cougars have held opponents to just 47 total points (9.4 points per game) in their first five games. This young defense, featuring four new starting linebackers, will face a challenge against Strasburg’s experienced offensive line.

    This line paved the way for 289 rushing yards against Page County two weeks ago. The Rams average 190.4 rushing yards per game, led by senior Sam Robinson (5-11, 159).