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By Kevin Allen
Rappahannock News Staff Writer ,
FALLS CHURCH — A monsoon-style rainstorm sent football fans running for cover late Friday at George Mason’s Homecoming game. But the downpour was not enough to dampen the Mustangs’ spirits, as they were already riding high on their way to a 42-6 victory over Rappahannock County.
Rappahannock endured its most lopsided loss of the season just four days after a 26-14 setback to Clarke County. An outbreak of staph infection at Rappahannock County High School forced the Panthers to reschedule their game against Clarke, leaving them with just three practices to prepare for the defending Bull Run District champions.
The short week combined with five Rappahannock players sidelined with injuries produced a long night for the Panthers, who were outsized by the Mustangs to begin with.
“They were bigger and stronger,” Rappahannock Coach Mike Williams said simply after the game. With the loss, the Panthers’ record fell to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the Bull Run.
Mason (5-2, 2-0) piled up 413 yards of offense, with 336 of that coming on the ground. The Mustangs had three turnovers, but did not punt even once during the game.
One of the Mason players that gave the Panthers fits was Joel Chandler. The junior running back wracked up 215 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.
Mason’s double-wing offense kept Rappahannock’s defense on its heels all night.
“The double wing is hard to get ready for in a full week,” Williams said. “We only had one real day of practice.”
The Panthers had trouble getting anything going on offense. Rappahannock managed 128 yards of offense, 94 of which came on the Panthers’ final two drives of the game.
Their first two possessions netted a total of negative 13 yards and both ended in punts after just three plays.
Rappahannock was trailing 14-0 before a personal foul on George Mason gave the Panthers a first down with 2 minutes, 35 seconds left in the first quarter. That possession ended in a punt three plays later.
The Panthers did not have any better luck on their ensuing six possessions, which ended in the following ways: turnover on downs, punt, punt, interception, interception, turnover on downs.
George Mason finished its scoring for the night before the end of the third quarter. Chandler ran in from 30 yards out to claim his fourth touchdown of the evening and put the Mustangs up 42-0.
The ensuing kickoff pinned Rappahannock on its own 16yard line. As the Panthers offense took the field, a strong wind blew into the the stadium that sent umbrellas and other items bouncing out of the stands and toward the east end zone.
That gust seemed to kindle the Rappahannock offense as well. With the wind at their backs, the Panthers put together a resilient drive that brought them deep into Mustangs territory.
After an incomplete pass on the first play of the possession, Panthers quarterback
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