Gould, Gonzaga Provide an Answer in Jesuit Classic

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By Matthew Stanmyre

Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, September 16, 2007; Page D13

Gonzaga wide receiver Rodney Gould was walking down the street just off campus earlier this week when a stranger stopped him. It was perhaps the 10th time an unfamiliar person had approached the senior randomly over seven days.

The message, as it had been in each instance, was the same: Beat Georgetown Prep.

"It's been crazy," Gould said. "People in school, people walking down the street, alumni. Anybody who sees us wearing Gonzaga football gear says the same thing: 'Just go ahead and beat Prep.' "

Gould did his part yesterday afternoon, catching seven passes for 207 yards and a touchdown to lead Gonzaga to a 20-12 home victory in the 60th Jesuit Gridiron Classic at jam-packed Buchanan Field.

Gonzaga (1-1) has won three of four against Georgetown Prep (0-2) since the Jesuit powers resumed their rivalry in 2004 after a 15-year hiatus.

"Beating Prep, it's just huge," said Eagles quarterback Terry Kernan, who threw for 237 yards and two scores.

Players on both sides had constant reminders of the magnitude of the matchup. Pro-Gonzaga banners hung from at least four overpasses on Interstate 66 East heading into the District, and a raucous capacity crowd grilled and drank beverages in the parking lot well more than an hour before kickoff.

Once the game began, the drama quickly ended. Early in the second quarter, Gould took a short pass in the flat, shook off a tackler and then sprinted 77 yards to the end zone to give the Eagles a 14-6 lead. Gould helped set up Gonzaga's last score minutes later with a 49-yard reception; three plays later, Kernan hit wide receiver Kenny Newcomer for a 14-yard touchdown that made it 20-6 at intermission.

Gould "has a lot of speed," Georgetown Prep Coach Dan Paro said. "He's very explosive."

Gonzaga 20, Georgetown Prep 12 Money Bags: Paro said the game raised approximately $120,000 for the Washington Jesuit Academy. During the last four years the games have raised more than $500,000, Paro added. Gritty Game: Little Hoyas quarterback Nick Serena kept Georgetown Prep close, hooking up with wideout Chris Alston for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 2:25 left that made it 20-12. Serena finished 11 of 25 for 119 yards and rushed for 31 yards.