Laurel football team tops Cambridge-South Dorchester, 14-6, in home opener

The Laurel varsity football team scored a pair of first half touchdowns in its 14-6 win over Cambridge-South Dorchester last Friday in its home opener. The Bulldogs’ defense recorded three interceptions and recovered two fumbles in the win.

“At the end of the night, you got the win, you’re happy,” said Laurel head coach Joey Jones, who said his team had some missed scoring opportunities. “We have to clean them up.”

Laurel started with the ball on its own 26 yard-line. On second and six from the 30, Micah Niblett tossed the ball to Shakai Parker for a 16-yard gain. Niblett’s pass on fourth and three fell incomplete.

Laurel’s Matthew Givens makes a tackle following a Cambridge-South Dorchester fumble and recovery on an extra point attempt. Givens also had an interception in his team’s 14-6 win.

The Bulldogs got the ball back when Jeremiah Mizzelle Hopkins intercepted a pass at the Cambridge 30. Niblett completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Khalid Burton on second and 11 and Bryan Gonzalez-Rivera made the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 7:23 left in the quarter.

The Vikings moved the ball to the Laurel 40 before Kenyen Littleton intercepted a pass. In the second quarter, a Cambridge interception and a penalty on the Bulldogs gave the Vikings the ball to the Laurel 45. Cambridge capped the 45-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run. A fumbled on the PAT kept the score at 7-6 (7:29).

Laurel got the ball back on the 35 and put together another drive. Niblett completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Burton on third and two. Gonzalez-Rivera added the PAT for a 14-6 advantage with 4:19 remaining in the first half.

The Vikings returned the kickoff to the Laurel 35, but the Bulldogs’ Matthew Givens had an interception to help preserve Laurel’s lead going into half-time.

Following a Cambridge punt early in the third quarter, Laurel started with the ball on the 34. Littleton had a 17-yard run on third and four from the 40, but was stopped short of a first down on fourth and two from the Vikings’ 35.

Cambridge later faced fourth and 10 from the Laurel 12 before a seven-yard pass came up short of the first down.

Laurel’s Ashton Limehouse recorded a pair of fumbles in the fourth quarter to help his team hold off Cambridge-South Dorchester.

This Friday night Laurel hosts rival Seaford, led by former Laurel head coach Glenn Phillips, Jr. The two teams used to meet in the final game of the regular season but are now playing each other earlier in the season.

“That’s going to be all the motivation we need. I know he’s going to have his guys ready,” Jones said. “It’s certainly different having them a little early.”