Photo by Bill Green Thomas Johnson quarterback Dwayne Jenkins throws over the pressure of Frederick's Michael Morgan.

"At first it didn't seem possible," the junior defensive back said. "I couldn't believe it was happening."

Woodyard raised the ball in the air moments after his key interception, which sent him gliding down the field, 95 yards for a victory-sealing touchdown in the Patriots' 43-26 Intracity victory over rival Frederick on Saturday.

The interception came with a little more than 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, when it was still anybody's game.

The Cadets, who trailed 28-19, were faced with a crucial fourth-and-goal on the 5-yard line. With a score, Frederick could tighten the contest, putting pressure on its longtime nemesis.

Frederick quarterback Andrew Zimnik dropped back, looked right and fired the ball into the flat toward receiver Jaleen Gee.

Woodyard leaped in front of Gee and stole the ball.

"I was looking straight to the end zone," Woodyard said. "I was like, 'This one is going to the house,' and I just ran as fast as I could."

The win also cemented a playoff berth for the Patriots as a possible three seed in the 4A North Region, a reward for coach Ben Wright and his team.

"I am happy for our seniors," Wright said. "When we started 2-4 people said we were out of it, but we played hard. Even though we had some rough defeats we are in the postseason. That is part of what we play for."

It was junior Nick Forbes that got his team's final playoff push started. The talented top-level prospect collected 70 yards rushing in the first drive of the game, capping the march with a 4-yard run, his 15th touchdown of the season.

The Patriots looked impressive on their next drive after stopping the Cadets, scoring their second touchdown on a 53-yard strike from Dwayne Jenkins to D.J. Scott for a 14-0 lead.

"It was a great start to the game," Forbes said. "We made a statement early, but the key was to keep that up."

The Cadets took advantage of some costly penalties, turnovers and brilliant play by Zimnik, who was 9 of 15 for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, to keep the game close.

After a 50-yard touchdown pass from Zimnik to Andrew Hartman with 29 seconds to go in the half the Cadets were only down 21-19 heading into the break.

"We were down early but we fought," Frederick coach Vince Ahearn said. "That is what we have done all season and I am certainly proud of that. We are fighters."

The second half began with an ominous sign for the home-standing Patriots. Jenkins sat on the end of the bench with an ice pack on his left ankle and junior Ryan Lynch took over at quarterback. Lynch held his own and led the Patriots on a 60-yard touchdown drive in their second possession of the half, which was capped by Jordan Dorsey's 35-yard run.

"Ryon came in and held it together," Wright said. "You can't say enough about his efforts in this one. The whole team made it happen."

As the final two quarters played out, it became clear that it was a different story for Ahearn's squad. The Cadets struggled to get their offense moving and when they did Zimnik handed the ball back to the Patriots.

The junior had three turnovers in the half, with the biggest miscue falling into the hands of Woodyard for the decisive score.

"I am ready to go all the way," Woodyard said. "Last year we made it this far and were disappointed. If we can get healthy I like our chances in the playoffs this year."