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SPORTS

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Dale beats Bird, takes

back Battle of Chester

By John Walker
out, followed their before him on the same field. yards, while Jeremiah Carter rushed for
wishes, and they “It’s all just one unit; it’s not about the Skyhawks’ only touchdown of the
put us in the end just me,” Stjepanovic said. “If I get game.
zone quite a few the tackle, it’s because of one of my On defense, L.C. Bird had their
times.” teammates. I feel like we fed off the fair share of struggles, but stiffened
The Knights defense, and the special teams played up at times as the game went on. They
were led by a big part getting the win over Bird. It will look to rebound next week after
a dominant feels good getting this win. their worst loss since 2004 against
linebacker corps “We’ve been so close in the past Landstowne of Virginia Beach.
on the defensive when Bird had the Hail Mary right With the win, Thomas Dale
side of the ball. here in this end zone. I saw my older moves to 2-0 and will travel to play
Linebacker Dusan teammates that graduated that were Hermitage at 7 p.m. Friday night,
Stjepanovic had crying, devastated, and I’m so happy while L.C. Bird falls to 1-1 and will
a career night that I could get this win for them play conference-rival Midlothian at
with 18 tackles, tonight.” home at the same time.
three quarterback The Skyhawks played a hard-
hurries, a fumble fought game with the Knights, and
recovery and a although the scoreboard doesn’t prove
blocked punt. it, they made some good strides during
It was a busy the game.
night for Adam The Skyhawks had a big night
Hall, who finished rushing the ball in the rainy weather,
with 12 tackles with running back C.J. Donaldson
and a sack and for rushing a whopping 36 times for 138
Richard D’Abreu,
with 12 tackles
and three tackles
for a loss. The
numbers speak for
themselves; they We take
COLLIN HOLMES, SHOWN RUNNING AGAINST COSBY, SCORED THOMAS got the job done
DALE’S FIRST TOUCHDOWN OF THE GAME AGAINST L.C. BIRD. on both sides of your
When people think about real the ball. Tucker
football, they think about a cold, rainy, was proud of the way his team fought smile
smash-mouth type of football game all night long to get the win. His pre-
being played on a wet and muddy field. season premonition that this defense personal
Well, Friday night at Thomas Dale’s Ed would be special has started to come
Karpus Field, there was an abundance true. 11310 Ironbridge Road
of high school football aroma. “I said early on, this would be one Chester, VA 23831
Both L.C. Bird and Thomas of the strongest defenses we’ve had. 804-796-7539
Dale played what seemed to be just Our front four we have up there are just Metal - Clear - Invisible Braces
a running back show of power. The dogs,” Tucker said. Lunch & Dinner Buffet available daily!
Knights won 36-6 after eight straight “Dusan is all over the place, and Weekly Specials & Full Menu.
losses to the Skyhawks in their annual you got a freshman on the other side Full Service & Carry-Out Catering! FREE CONSULTATION
game. in Bryce carter that played a heck of www.brocksbbq.com
“This win means a lot to the a game. Our middle linebackers were
community and to the kids,” said flying to the ball. Trey Smith, we put
Thomas Dale coach Kevin Tucker. “We No. 11 on him to honor Malcolm Richmond Spine
have wanted this one for quite a while, Piggott [a Thomas Dale football and
and they’ve had our number for quite a basketball standout who drowned in WB
while,” he continued. “Our kids came a small lake near the Chester YMCA Interventions
out and played hard; I’m so proud of in 2007 before his senior year].“He ORTHODONTICS
them.” honored him tonight and played for
Thomas Dale was led by running those that came before him. Peyman Nazmi, M.D.
back Elijah Burns on offense, with 120 Coach Tucker got a Gatorade bath Marc Caligtan, M.D.
yards rushing and two touchdowns. on that rainy, chilly September night. Accept most insurances
Also for the Knights, Collin “The Gatorade bath was a little including Medicaid
Holmes added a 24-yard touchdown chilly for a September game,” he • Epidural Active-Duty Military
and Chris Tyree found pay dirt from said. “It felt more like a late October Discounts & Sibling
one yard out. These performances game due to the weather, but it felt steroid Injections Discounts
weren’t possible without strong good. This jacket kept me dry, so the Wakeshi Benson, DDS, FADI
offensive line play. Gatorade just kind of washed off me. • Neck and back
“Our offensive line was hungry, The kids worked hard for that, and I’m (804) 454-1888
we call them trench dogs, and those so happy for these guys; they played spinal injections
guys wanted to keep the ball on the their hearts out tonight.” wb-orthodontics.com
ground and keep grinding it out,” Stjepanovic, a 6-3, 230-pound 12230 Iron Bridge Road • Suite B
explained Tucker. “They didn’t want us senior, played a huge role in Thomas RichmondSpinePain.com
to throw the ball tonight. So we came Dale’s win over L.C. Bird. He (804) 378-1800 Chester, VA 23831
dedicated his effort to those who played
news@villagenewsonline.com SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 11