Thompson injures throwing hand
By Carl Lukat
The Stone Bridge Bulldogs' passing game took a major hit Aug. 15 when rising senior quarterback Patrick Thompson ruptured a tendon in the ring finger on his right (throwing) hand during a scrimmage against Broad Run.
Bulldog coach Mickey Thompson expects that Patrick, his son, will miss six weeks at quarterback. Patrick Thompson will be able to play linebacker with a splint on the finger.
Thompson passed for more than 2,000 yards in leading the Bulldogs to the 2007 Virginia Division 5 championship.
Sophomore Kyle Gouveia and senior Nick Sheehan, a transfer from Loudoun Valley, are the top candidates to fill Thompson's shoes at quarterback.
Sheehan, who has been practicing at receiver and defensive back, played extended minutes at quarterback for the Vikings last season.
Gouveia is the cousin of Jeron Gouveia-Winslow, the 2008 Loudoun Times-Mirror Male Athlete of the Year who will be a freshman this fall at Virginia Tech. Kyle Gouveia, a talented athlete in his own right, gained limited varsity experience at quarterback in 2007.
Coach Thompson does not think the setback will dampen the Bulldog chances of qualifying for the playoffs once again in 2008, but does feel it could hurt his team's ability to build momentum early in the season.
Stone Bridge opens the season Aug. 29 at home versus West Springfield.
Staff writer Jason S. Rufner contributed to this report.