By Lynn Schofer
The longest running rivalry game in the state of Delaware has renewed battle when after 21 consecutive years and nine shut out wins, the Laurel Bulldogs fell to Seaford by a score of 28-13. The game, played at Schollenberger Field in Laurel last Friday night before one of the largest crowds in a decade, continued the tradition of over a 100 years of football between the schools.
Seaford Coach Glenn Phillips said, “I told our players, this is what happens when you believe in yourselves.”
Seaford head coach Glenn Phillips and the Blue Jays varsity football team celebrate after receiving the Lions trophy. The Jays had not beaten the Bulldogs in 21 consecutive attempts.
Seaford quarterback Vince Evans III threw for 36 yards and ran 171 yards and three touchdowns: Brendan West ran 143 yards and scored a touchdown: Luke Metzner threw for the two point conversion, and Taishawn Frisby pulled in three passes for the 36 yards. Khalid Burton scored both touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
In the first quarter, Laurel opened with the strategy of a high and short kick-off but Seaford’s Leland West made the catch and the Blue Jays opened the game from the 39 yard-line. The Blue Jays’ Brendan West, Je’Viohn Hurst rushed for first downs, but Laurel’s Woodley Dormevil, Tristen Johnson, and Matthew Givens made the tackles to stop Seaford for a turnover on downs.
The Bulldogs’ first pass intended for Khalid Burton, who finished with two touchdowns, was slightly overthrown and almost intercepted by Seaford’s Jaydin Johnson. Seaford scored on the next possession when Frisby ran the ball for a first and goal and Evans scored from the one yard-line. On the PAT, a bad snap by Seaford turned into a two point conversion when kicker Luke Metzner escaped the tackle and connected with Ty’Aire Buffalo in the end zone for the 8-0 Blue Jays lead.
“Metzner did what we teach him to do, he threw it to a spot. I still do not know how Ty’Aire Buffalo came down with it,” said Phillips who added that moments like that don’t work without a plan, “We have the process, lineman stay behind the line of scrimmage, and the others run to a spot, everyone knows their role on that field.”
Laurel fumbled on the next possession and Seaford’s Jai’khai Stanley recovered for the Blue Jays. The teams swapped possessions and Seaford led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter both Jaylin Burton and Jeremiah Mizzelle Hopkins carried for Laurel first downs. Quarterback Cameron Deiter connected with Burton for a 35-yard touchdown pass. A false start on the two-point conversion forced the Bulldogs to a kick a PAT which made the score 807.
Hard hits by Laurel’s Tristen Johnson and Shakai Parker and Seaford’s Buffalo and West forced punts on both sides of the ball. The teams also played solid with minimal penalties in the first half. Seaford punted with just under five minutes to play in the first half ad Laurel’s Za-Bryan Ely moved the ball to the 29 yard-line. On the next play Aizyon Matthews pulled in the interception and Seaford took over possession. The Bulldogs defense held the line and Seaford was unable to score. The teams each fumbled in the final 30 seconds of the first half and Laurel quarterback Micah Niblett was sacked by West on the final play of the first half.
Seaford kicked off to open the third quarter and Niblett connected with Khalid Burton plus runs by Mizelle-Hopkins set the ball at Seaford’s 19 yard-line. Niblett tried to connect with Khalid Burton and Johnson in the end zone but the Bulldogs were forced to attempt a field goal. The Blue Jay special teams blocked the field goal and the score stayed 8-7.
Seaford scored on the next possession, Evans looked for a receiver but the Bulldog secondary had everyone covered. Evans escaped the sack, ran left, avoided tackles, and ran 47 yards for a touchdown.
Coach Phillips spoke of his senior quarterback, “He is a phenomenal athlete and that play shows what type of athlete he is. He got tripped up a little, and kept his balance, he also got a big block from Fadoul Pierrilus, He is a Division 1 athlete for a reason and one of the best quarterbacks I have ever had.”
Phillips said Laurel is so well coached, “The safeties kept with the tight end taking the pass away, and then Vince did his thing.”
Seaford led, 14-7, after a bad snap on the PAT. Laurel responded quickly after the kick-off when Eley ran the ball to the 30 yard-line and Khalid Burton pulled in a 23-yard touchdown pass. Seaford blocked the extra point to keep the 14-13 lead.
Later in the quarter on a Laurel possession, Seaford’s Kalib Thompson read the pass play, stepped in front and intercepted the ball. Laurel was later flagged on a late hit to Evans that moved the ball 15 yards. The Blue Jays opened the fourth quarter with a 40-yard touchdown run by Evans and West added the extra two points for a 22-13 score.
On a Seaford possession, Evans fumbled and the Bulldogs moved the ball to the 21 yard-line. Seaford then pulled in a third interception, this one by Jaydin Johnson at the Bulldog 30 yard-line with a return to the 18 where West took the hand-off and ran to the end-zone. “Brendan has become a leader and I believe we are seeing the changes in him both in school building and on the field. He bought into the program the first day and is beginning to understand the system,” said Phillips
Seaford regained possession on a turnover on downs and controlled the clock much of the remaining time. Seaford took a knee with seconds on the clock and celebrated the Lions Club Trophy win.
Coach Phillips gathered the team and said, “Have I told you today that I love you”, and the team yelled, “We love you too coach.”
Seaford will go on to play another higher division team in Polytech in an away game. “We celebrated and enjoyed the win. We now are refocused and we have to keep racking up state tournament points, our goal is to host a state tournament game,” Phillips added. “If we keep playing it, maybe all roads lead through Seaford.”
