By Mike McClure
The Laurel varsity football team earned a 14-6 home win over Sussex Tech last Friday on senior night in Laurel. The two teams entered the game as playoff contenders.
“Tech has played tough all year long. They’ve had a heck of a year,” said Laurel head coach Joey Jones. “I can’t say enough about how well the backs played tonight.”
Sussex Tech opened with the ball on their own 21 yard-line. The Ravens’ Eric Wright-McGlotten had two carries for 13 yards before the team had to punt on fourth and eight from the 49.
A pack of Dogs stops Sussex Tech’s Eric Wright-McGlotten on a run during Friday’s senior night game in Laurel.
Laurel started on its own nine, but moved the ball downfield on a 36-yard pass from Micah Niblett to Za-Bryan Eley on third and four from the 15. Three Ravens’ penalties moved the ball to the Sussex Tech 17 before a pass interference call against Sussex Tech on third and seven from the 14. The Sussex Tech defense stopped Niblett short of the end zone on a keeper on fourth and goal from inside the one late in the quarter.
Laurel got the ball back early in the second quarter after forcing a Ravens punt on fourth and inches from the Sussex Tech 11. Laurel’s Kenyen Littleton took a toss on first down and ran 20 yards for a touchdown. Bryan Gonzalez-Rivera booted the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 10:19 remaining in the first half.
The two teams exchanged punts before Sussex Tech took over on its own 49. The Ravens’ Rasheed Holland had two carries for 14 yards and added a 14-yard run to move the ball into Bulldogs’ territory. Laurel’s Tristen Johnson recovered a Sussex Tech fumble around the Laurel 35.
Laurel moved the ball upfield, but Gonzalez-Perez’ 37-yard field attempt at the end of the half was no good.
The Bulldogs pounded the ball on the ground on their first possession of the third quarter, which started at the 44. Jaheem Limehouse had two carries for 21 yards and picked up seven yards on a run on fourth and one from the Sussex Tech 26. Shakai Parker ran the ball in from 10 yards out and Gonzalez-Perez’ PAT made it 14-0.
“I came out and played hard with my team. I was taking it slow, waiting for my linemen to get my blocks. Without my linemen, I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Limehouse said. “We showed that we could be a good playoff team.”
Sussex Tech put together a scoring drive starting at the 35. Knox Sheets completed a nine-yard pass to Braydon Hazzard on third and eight from the 37. Wright-McGlotten had four carries for 46 yards and Sheets scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The PAT went wide and the score remained 14-6 with 1:16 left in the third.
Johnson added a second fumble recovery, at the Laurel 31, in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs held on to win, 14-6.
Jones said the game was a good, physical game with the teams playing 11 on 11 in the box. The winner gained an edge in a hunt for a playoff berth. This week, Laurel visits rival Delmar in the final regular season game.
“It’s always going to be a challenge when you go down to Delmar no matter what kind of year they’re having,” said Jones.
