So for seven snaps, the Hoyas (7-2) stuck to the script. Three times, they stopped the Bulldogs (4-5), forcing a punt. Next, they returned the ball to near midfield. And for each of the next three plays, they handed the ball to Reynolds, who hit holes created by the offensive line — twice carrying defenders on his back for additional yardage — for runs of 23, 20 and five yards and an early lead.
As the Hoyas returned to the sideline, an assistant coach barked out, “Don’t lose your focus!”
They never did. As a result, Georgetown Prep earned an opportunity to clinch a share of its 21st Interstate Athletic Conference title if it can defeat Bullis on Friday.
“This team is just a little hungrier this year,” senior quarterback Carson Whittier said, referencing last year’s loss to Episcopal that snapped a three-season IAC title run.
The Hoyas’ commitment to that dogged approach has paid dividends in an IAC rife with parity. Two-thirds of conference clashes were decided by one score, and the three favorites split their matchups: Georgetown Prep beat Landon, Landon beat Episcopal, and Episcopal beat Georgetown Prep. Two-thirds of the Hoyas’ games were decided by single digits. And they have impressive nonconference wins over Loyola Blakefield, Woodberry Forest and Riverdale Baptist.
That’s why they were confident but not overzealous heading into the final two weeks.
“We’ve never been the biggest, fastest, strongest,” Georgetown Prep Coach Dan Paro said. “That’s why we have the core beliefs of team, family, doing all things the right way. … If you get them to believe in those, it’s amazing how well it can work.”
Early on Saturday, the Hoyas leaned heavily on Reynolds, whose 18 first-half carries produced 159 yards and two touchdowns that put his team up 17-0 at halftime.
“He’s a dog,” senior Lee Bruner said when asked to describe his teammate. “Hard-hitting. Hard-working. Dog.”
Though the Georgetown Prep offense went cold until senior Ciaran McCleary’s 70-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter, the defense kept the sideline more than confident. Twice, on interceptions by senior Jayson Penn and junior Wyatt Bowman, the Hoyas extinguished the Bulldogs’ longest drives. St. Albans never reached the red zone, nor did it have a drive in which it amassed more than 30 yards.