Ballou Builds a Lead, Then Stifles H.D. Woodson

Ballou took advantage of an early H.D. Woodson turnover, and then put forth a terrific defensive effort, pressuring Warriors quarterback Ricardo Young all game to knock off the defending D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association champion, 14-8.

As the Knights walked off their home field, they announced themselves as legitimate contenders to win the title in what has proved to be a wide-open DCIAA.

"In order to be the champ of the city," Ballou Coach Moe Ware said, "you have to beat the champion. We wanted to establish ourselves here."

Three years ago, the Knights, spurred by a group of transfers, won their first DCIAA title. The past two seasons, without much star power, Ballou regressed a little.

There's just one big difference between this team and the 2006 edition.

"We're not that hyped," said Larry Pinkard, a senior wide receiver and defensive back.

Pinkard got his team started on Woodson's first drive. On a third-down pass, he waited, then watched a pass sail high and tip off a Warriors player's hands and into his at the Woodson 38-yard line. Five plays later -- after quarterback Delonte Edwards threw a 10-yard pass and ran for 10 more himself -- Edwards found Daray Crawford on a six-yard post for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Woodson's next drive stalled on the Ballou 23, when Pinkard made a tackle a yard short of the first down marker. Ballou (5-1 overall, 2-0 DCIAA East) gained two first downs before facing fourth and one at its 44. Eric Shaw slipped around right end, shook a Woodson tackler in the backfield and scampered downfield, making a couple of nice jukes on the slick turf for a 52-yard gain.

Three plays later, Edwards hit tight end John Brown on another six-yard score to make it 14-0.

"We practiced all this week in rain, throwing the ball, getting my technique right," said Edwards, who completed 5 of 6 first-half passes for 39 yards and two scores, and also ran for 26 yards.

Woodson (4-4, 1-1) controlled the ball for 17 minutes 30 seconds in the second half. The Warriors' shortest drive -- an eight-play foray lasting 4:04 -- ended with a five-yard touchdown run by Dejohn Evans on third down. Evans ran in the two-point conversion to make it 14-8.

But Ballou's defense stood firm on the Warriors' last drive. Woodson had first down with less than two minutes to go at the Ballou 19. After a two-yard gain by Evans, the Warriors threw incomplete passes the next two plays, setting up fourth and eight at the 17.

Young (2 of 14, 47 yards, one interception) looked for Renito Porter on a post pattern, but Pinkard batted it away to seal the victory.

Ballou 14, H.D. Woodson 8 Can't Play Without Them: Kickoff was delayed 15 minutes because two referees were stuck in traffic. Tapping That Well Again: Ballou's 2006 championship team was led by a bevy of transfers from Coolidge. Senior running back Eric Shaw transferred this year from Coolidge and rushed for 107 yards against Woodson.