Centreville hosted the Mount Vernon Majors for the 2007 Homecoming game and finished the long night with a 24 to zero victory. Rain threatened all the evening events (and disrupted the Homecoming Parade earlier in the evening). Half time saw plenty of warm excitement and the beginning of the fourth quarter a major deluge of big, cold raindrops. This was the fourth homecoming victory for the Wildcat Varsity squad in as many years. But this year had some surprises…

Darryl Hamilton returns a bad kick to Centreville’s 31 yard line to begin a long, impressive drive that put the first points on the scoreboard. The offensive effort included two first-downs and showcased a refreshing air attack on the Mount Vernon squad. As the drive begins P.J. Dunegan fires a 20 yard pass to Courtlan Whiting for a first down. Keeping the ball up in the air the Wildcat offense is moving fast. Centreville earns another first down with a Dunegan pass to Ricky Staggers. After eight plays the ball is on the Mount Vernon 21 yard line where Kevin Maslyn boots it through the uprights for a Wildcat field goal. With 9:16 still to play in the first quarter Centreville takes the lead with 3 over Mount Vernon with zero.

Soon after Wildcats engage in another promising drive down the field. After earning one first down on a run by P.J. Dunegan the drive is interrupted by an interception. Majors take the ball at Centreville’s 24 yard line. With just 1:52 on the clock in the first quarter the Majors make a quick attempt to score. They can’t break through the Wildcat Defense Mechanism so they attempt a field goal. The kick falls well short of the uprights and the quick Mount Vernon drive ends.

Centreville takes possession of the ball at their own 20 yard line and have enough time for one snap before the end of the quarter. As the clock ticks to zero the score is Wildcats 3, Majors zero.

The Wildcat offensive drive ends quickly and the Majors take control of the ball at their 49 yard line. During their second play of the second quarter the ball is passed through the air and intercepted by Darryl Hamilton — Wildcat ball! From the Centreville 36 yard line Wildcats begin to move the ball down the field. During this drive they keep the ball and their feet firmly on the ground. The running game is working as they earn a first down on a quick run by P.J. Dunegan. Two plays later Dunegan is running the ball into a hard hit by the Mount Vernon defense. His left arm took a shot and Dunegan has to leave the game. Two plays later the Majors retake possession of the ball at their own 13 yard line.

Mount Vernon makes some teeny progress on each snap, but it’s not enough. They kick the ball to end their drive and Wildcats take over at their 36 yard line. David Toth is in the game replacing the injured Dunegan. Toth and Andrew Morgan exchange turns running the ball and gain enough yards to earn a first down. Though progress is being made it’s not enough to score and Wildcats kick the ball to the Majors. With just 59-seconds on the clock for the first half the Mount Vernon offense finds no result. The first half ends with the score Centreville 3, Mount Vernon zero.

High Time at Half Time

The long list of half time events (click here to see a photo gallery) began with a wonderful combination of Wildcat alumni and future Wildcats. Cam Dohse (2006 grad playing at William and Mary) and Drew Dudzik (Class of 2006 now playing at JMU) bestowed the SYA Athlete of the Week honors on two young, future Wildcats. Dylan Galloway is the quarterback on the undefeated 85A team while Brett Clark is the center on the 85C team that leads their division in scoring. Dylan and Brett found themselves shaking hands with the 2006 grads, receiving memorable gifts, and surrounded by the Wildcat Cheerleaders. Almost immediately the Wildcat Dance Team took the field. Their routine and music got the blood moving for fans in the stands. Matter of fact, the air was unusually warm and humid for an Autumn football game. That’s fine – we can enjoy that. Where was the marching band? Sure, they got a bit wet during the afternoon parade through Little Rocky Run, but so did we all! For the second time in three years the Wildcat Marching Band was a no-show at the Homecoming Game. Weird, but, that’s ok, because we have Jarrod Wronski with his SportsAnnouncing.com crew in the house and rocking the stadium with thumping tunes that keep the festivities rolling. The crowd is rocking as each class steered their float entries along the track in front of the stands. The Class of 2008 received the most enthusiastic response, but we’ve learned to expect that from this high-spirited class of Wildcats.

Homecoming Royalty

As the dust settles from the float parade, attention moves to the center of the field. Mr. Campbell escorts Julie Tatom, Homecoming Queen for 2006, down the fifty yard line. The SGA Board followed as they took their positions flanking the center of the field. Each member of the homecoming court was announced, along with their escorts. As each member of the Senior Court took the field they were presented with a large flower box. At the cue of the announcer, the Senior Princesses opened their boxes to discover which of them is the 2007 Queen. We have a winner! Teresa Huynh is the Homecoming Queen for 2007. Mr. Campbell places the sparkling tiara on her head as cameras are flashing and princesses are hugging. Congratulations to Teresa and all the princesses along with the SGA and homecoming participants on a successful Half Time Extravaganza. Click this to see our photo gallery picked with pics from half time, including Teresa, floats, and Wildcat fans singing and dancing.

Let’s Score Some More

As the beginning of the second half approaches Wildcat fans are thinking about the score. This is the fourth time this season where their opponents have zero on the scoreboard at half time. Each of those games ended with that zero on the scoreboard for the Wildcat opponents. Will that happen again? Could it? Should it? Stick around, because it’s a windy and wet ride to the end of this game. Mount Vernon receives the kick and is quickly silenced by the Wildcat Defense Mechanism with a recovered fumble. Brandon Carpenter grabbed the ball and just would not let go. Centreville’s offense takes the field with David Toth at quarterback for Dunegan. The Wildcat offense is fired-up and begins a long drive from the 30 yard line. After two first-downs Wildcats find themselves just four yards away from a touchdown. Brandon Carpenter runs the ball a teensy bit ending at the 2-yard line. On the next play Andrew Morgan hugs the ball and plows through the Mount Vernon defense and into the end zone for a Wildcat touchdown! Kevin Maslyn’s extra point is pristine as it sails through the uprights and the score is now Centreville 10, Mount Vernon zero.

With 6:13 still to play in the third quarter the Wildcat’s won’t give the Majors a break. On the second play of their drive Calder Street jumps into the air and grabs an interception. The Centreville offense is back on the field again. They work quick — on the second play David Toth fires a pass into the hands of Brandon Carpenter who takes it for a run and another Wildcat touchdown! Maslyn’s kick is good and the score jumps to Wildcats 17, Majors zero.

Wind of Change

After one fruitless possession for Mount Vernon the Wildcats find themselves with the ball again. With 3:05 still on the clock in the third quarter the offense is spending a tremendous amount of time on the field. As Andrew Morgan is gaining yards on the ground, the air in and around Trussell Stadium is filled with ominous, cold wind. Those warm temperatures at half time have disappeared and the air is experiencing a rapid cool-down. Tents by the concession stands are threatening to take to the skies as folks hold them down by hand. Debris is flying through the air and fans are slipping into their jackets. Concerns about a possible approaching storm have folks watching the weather more closely than the game. Wildcats experience a bit of struggle with penalties as they attempt to continue their drive. As a few drops of rain begin to splash on the field as the offense has the ball at the 35 yard line. Brandon Carpenter gains three yards for the Wildcats, and the ball is on the 32. Now the deluge begins. Big, heavy sheets of rain are pouring from the skies. It’s a cold rain. With jet-like winds blowing-in from the West. The Wildcat offense struggles with the situation and finally must punt the ball. As they do the third quarter ends with the score Centreville 17, Mount Vernon zero.

Fourth Quarter Gully Washer

As the rain is pouring from the skies the teams switch sides of the field and Mount Vernon begins their offensive drive from the 32 yard line. Suddenly, everyone runs! Both teams begin to head for the locker room and fans head for the school cafeteria. The weather is crazy and threatening enough to convince authorities to pause the game and ask fans to wait inside the school. The cafeteria is not where you expect to find yourself during a football game, but at least it’s dry inside. Folks are wringing-out the rain from their soaked clothing. Director of Student Activities Mr. Sanabria announces (through a cute, little megaphone) that the weather is expected to clear soon and the game should begin again by 10PM. The rain does end quickly, and the air is now breezy and cold — big change! The stands are surrounded by huge, deep puddles as the teams return to the field to begin the fourth quarter. On the first post-rain play Brandon Carpenter grabs an interception and scores another Wildcat touchdown! That’s a way to warm things up! The score zooms to 24 for Centreville, and still zero for Mount Vernon.

Majors finish their next drive with 3 downs and a punt. Centreville takes control with some success. After seven plays and two first-downs, they must punt the ball to their opponents. The field is a slippery, sloshy mess as both teams struggle to gain traction. With 3:35 remaining in the fourth quarter Mount Vernon begins their final, fruitless drive down the field. It’s late. It’s cold. It’s wet. The Wildcat Defense Mechanism couldn’t care less. They continue to hammer the Major’s offense, almost playing with them as a cat would a teensy little mouse. Mount Vernon wants to make something of this drive, but it’s an exercise in futility as the clock ticks to zero and score ends Centreville 24, Mount Vernon zero.

Photo Momentos

With so many activities and action to be seen, we have a hunormous quantity of photos. Three full galleries, in fact. We expect more, so stay tuned, but for now click this to see photos from the Homecoming game. Then click here to see the Half Time Extravaganza. We saw the parade, too — click here to see our Homecoming Parade gallery. More on the way, so check back soon!