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Young Leads Woodson to Win over Dunbar in Turkey Bowl

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Washington Informer H.D. Woodson Warriors quarterback Ricardo Young rushes up the middle for a score. Photo by Khlaid Naji-Allah

During last year’s Turkey Bowl game, Ricardo Young performed like a sophomore quarterback starting in his first big game, his lack of poise and gamesmanship contributing to H.D. Woodson’s 20-9 loss to Dunbar. Fast forward one year, and Young demonstrated the maturation and savvy that resulted in a 24-9 win over the Dunbar Crimson Tide in the 39th Annual Turkey Bowl. The 6’1” junior completed 10 of 17 passes for 141 yards while rushing for 31 yards and three touchdowns.

“Last year, I didn’t have control of the offense. This season, I was under control and the coach allowed me to check off,” Young said.

“He’s a very cerebral player. He really understands the game and knows how to run this offense. What a difference a year makes,” said H.D. Woodson Coach Greg Fuller.

The Woodson Warriors (7-4) set the tone on their first possession when they went 68 yards on five plays, and Young capped off the drive with a one-yard plunge. Woodson failed on the conversion to lead 6-0. Dunbar (6-6) had problems moving the ball against the tough Warriors’ defense, allowing Woodson to go 71 yards in 10 plays in six minutes, to take a 12-0 lead at halftime.

Washington Informer CH.D. Woodson Warriors running back Kayvone Spriggs runs through an open hole for a long gain. Photo by Khlaid Naji-Allah

Woodson relied on the rushing of Kayvon Spriggs to open the second half. Young finished the drive with a one-yard sneak.

“Kayvon did a great job as he has all season,” said Coach Fuller. “We tried to get the ball in his hands because he is very effective in terms of what we do offensively.”

The Crimson Tide, who have eight of the last 10 titles, put together an 11-play, 87-yard drive to start the second half, as quarterback Tyree White (seven of 15, 108 yards) scored from a yard out to make it 12-6. But Young engineered a 13-play, 80-yard drive that consumed almost eight minutes; his third down passing and running proving to be the difference maker.

“It was just a case of poor execution. Woodson played a heck of a game,” said Dunbar Coach Craig Jefferies.

Woodson gained 248 yards rushing and controlled the clock for over 38 minutes while limiting the Crimson Tide to 63 yards on the ground.

“We executed well,” said Fuller. “That probably sealed the deal.”

 

Washington Informer Kayvone Spriggs (20) rushed for 128 yards and TD in the win over Dunbar. Photo by Yusuf Abdullah
Washington Informer Quarterback Ricardo Young (1) completed 10 of 17 passes in H.D. Woodson's win over Dunbar in the Turkey Bowl. Photo by Yusuf Abdullah
Last modified on Wednesday, 14 January 2009 23:40
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