By Todd Bradley, DCSportsFan.com
MaxPreps.com
After a very long 364 days, Landon’s football team redeemed itself with a 20-14 victory over St. Albans in the IAC championship.
The Bears won their fourth straight game to finish 9-1 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in league play. Senior running back Jeff Izon carried the ball 17 times for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Perhaps just as importantly, the victory erased memories of an 11-7 Landon loss to St. Albans a year ago.
"Jeff has had a great season," Landon head coach Rob Bordley said. "He was out last year, but I've been saying that he can do some special things. Jeff's a hard runner and also blocks well. He's had an unbelievable season."
Izon's injury last year forced him to miss the entire varsity season, but he wasted little time making up for it. Izon rushed for 351 yards and five touchdowns in the first three games of the season, totaling 918 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Saturday's performance seemed like the perfect ending to his breakout season.
"Last year, I was hurt, so to be able to get two touchdowns was great," Izon said. "My offensive line cleared the way the whole game."
Izon, however, didn't do it alone. The senior back was aided by a very tough offensive line and talented players in the skill positions, including Khari Laurent and Delonte Wellington.
"DeLonte is the only true two-way starter for us," Bordley said. "He had a great season for us, and he only comes off the field when he's tired. Khari Laurent is another one. We didn't give him the ball much, but he played well."
Landon's backfield changed dramatically throughout the season. Josh Offit and Joe Paoletta started the year as two of the team's featured backs, but both suffered season-ending injuries, which opened the door for players like Izon, Laurent and Wellington.
"We've been cutting and pasting a bit this year," Bordley said.
The victory was Landon's first IAC title since 2005 and gave the Bears the 38-37-4 series advantage. If St. Albans had won the game, it would have forced a three-team tie at the top of the league with Landon, St. Albans and Episcopal.
Rushing Leaders
St. Albans: Ramsey Bates 17-46, Chris Landon 6-35, Nick Devane 8-25, Todd Bracken 1-1
Landon: Jeff Izon 17-208, Delonte Wellington 8-32, Andrew Wills 5-29, Khari Laurent 3-17, Sam McDonough 6-8, Harrison Archer 1-8
Passing Leaders
St. Albans: Ramsey Bates 9-16-114
Landon: Sam McDonough 4-7-29
Receiving Leaders
St. Albans: Roger Ferguson 3-44, Thomas Wheet 3-31, Nick Devane 1-14, Kaleem Washington 1-11, Chris Landon 1-7
Landon: Delonte Wellington 1-14, Andrew Wills 1-9, Luke Howard 2-6
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter: Touchdown Landon, 7-0
30-Yard Run by Jeff Izon (Michael Ward Kick)
Second Quarter: Touchdown St. Albans, 7-7
1-Yard Run by Ramsey Bates (Greg McKillop Kick)
Third Quarter: Touchdown Landon, 14-7
7-Yard Run by Jeff Izon (Michael Ward Kick)
Third Quarter: Touchdown Landon, 20-7
23-Yard Run by Andrew Wills (Kick Failed)
Fourth Quarter: Touchdown St. Albans, 14-20
14-Yard Pass from Ramsey Bates to Nick Devane (Greg McKillop Kick)