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Thomas Jefferson shuts down Washington D.C. team

Written by: Kelly on Monday, September 7th, 2009

For the past few years, no one has expected Thomas Jefferson, a “AAA” Big 7 team who has won back-to-back state championships, to be the underdog. That is, until they were matched up with H.D. Woodson, a champion school from D.C. that has sent a few players to the NFL, and currently has a few Virginia Tech recruits.

Not only was Woodson a real powerhouse school, but TJ had also lost quite a few seniors from last year, namely Tyler Wehner (QB), and Brian Baldridge (RB). The biggest question going into the game was could last year’s seniors be replaced?

Well, after an overwhelming score of 38-0, TJ proved that tradition really never does graduate, and that they are still right on top.

In the first half alone, first-time starting running back Ryan Ruffing scored three times under also first-time starting quarterback Sam Johnston. Johnston then completed a 36-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter to Jimmy Giansante.

Ed Hasis, another senior, had 3 interceptions against Virginia Tech recruit Ricardo Young, H.D. Woodson’s starting quarterback. One of these interceptions led to a field goal in the second quarter, by Mike Wainauskis. Young was also sacked three times throughout the game.

Finally, with 35 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Mercy Rule was enforced after yet another touchdown from TJ, this time by junior fullback Dylan Breisinger.

As Thomas Jefferson’s coach Bill Cherpak said in the days leading up to this first game, “[Woodson] will be a challenge but we should be okay.” After Friday’s game, TJ has proved that they are much more than just okay.

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