Renovating Bladensburg High was a project so extensive the school was unable to host a football game for six years. When Ken Roberts took over as coach last season, it seemed his rebuilding job would take at least as long. The Mustangs gave up 423 points and went 0-10.
But memories of that abysmal season are in the distant past. Monday afternoon, after Bladensburg registered its third straight shutout, 6-0 over visiting Northwestern, the Mustangs celebrated their newfound success.
“We’re stepping up,” yelled senior defensive tackle Alonzo Olden to a chorus of approval. Then Mustangs dumped water on Roberts, followed by his assistant, Eric Williams.
“We had a good team last year. I don’t know what happened,” said junior linebacker Beks Amadi, who had an interception and three tackles for a loss. “Our new weight room has helped out greatly. We’re coming out, beating the teams that beat us last year. We’re getting revenge.”
On Monday, Bladensburg suffocated Northwestern (1-4), limiting the Wildcats to 25 yards and four first downs. The Mustangs sacked Northwestern quarterback Amar Dyson five times, including two each by Olden and senior linebacker Carlos Bossman.
Controlling the line of scrimmage were junior Danny Lewis (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) and senior Nathaniel Johnson (6-4, 240 pounds). Both are nimble enough to get carries out of the Bladensburg backfield.
Bladensburg (3-2) struggled on offense until senior quarterback Delonte Walk loosened up in the second half. His 53-yard cutback run gave the Mustangs field position that they eventually used for the winning 50-yard drive.
The strong-armed Walk (6-2, 215 pounds) completed three of four passes for 36 yards in the march before junior John Bijou scored on a seven-yard sweep.
“I got everybody together on the sidelines and said, ‘Our defense is doing the job. We have to get at least one touchdown,’” said Walk.
Mustangs stampede
» Bladensburg senior Ridwan Cole returned three punts for 68 yards.
» Senior Alonzo Gaskins ended Northwestern’s final drive with an interception.
» Amar Dyson and Kenard Harris had interceptions for NW.
