Seaford football advances to state semifinals with 35-0 home win

The Seaford Blue Jays football team defeated Glasgow in the first round of the DIAA Division 1A State Tournament last Friday by a score of 35-0. The game, played on Ron Dickerson Field, brought back memories for the community when the Blue Jays dominated on that very field with Coach Capt. Ron Dickerson. Current Coach Glenn Phillips said “These kids fought hard all season and they have done the work since March and April when we met for the first time.”

Seaford was led by senior quarterback Vince Evans III and senior running back Brendan West who collectively covered 308 yards in the game and each scored two touchdowns. Evans carried the ball eight times for 181 yards and Wes had 13 carries for 127 yards.

Vince Evans III runs for a touchdown against Glasgow. Evans mounted 181 yards and two touchdown in the 35-0 win.

The Blue Jays started a little shaky with an early interception by Glasgow at the 10 yard-line. Phillips said “This is the first game played since Oct. 17 so we knew we were going to be rusty offensively.” However, the Blue Jays’ defense forced a punt and West scored the first touchdown and Luke Metzner kicked the PAT for the 7-0 lead.

The Seaford defense was fast to the Glasgow quarterback Tristan Rutto with secondary defensive plays by Aizyon Matthews and Ny’gee Horsey which forced the Dragons to punt. The punt was collected at the five yard-line but a face mask added positive yardage for Seaford. West’s carry saved the possession when he avoided two tackles in the backfield and broke free to the outside for a first down. Evans fooled the defense and broke out on a 73-yard touchdown run.

“We handed off to Brendan and then we ran a bootleg and we got them sucked in at that moment. Everyone executed and it all came together,” said Phillips.

Glasgow struggled in the final moments of play in the first half when Seaford’s Zahir Seymore forced a fumble and later Kalib Thompson pulled in an interception and returned it to the 45 yard-line to end the first half.

In the second half, Glasgow attempted a pass up the middle but Ty’Aire Buffalo stepped in front for the interception and returned it to the 23 yard-line. West finished it with the touchdown plus two points by Evans for the 21-0 score.

Seaford’s defense was tried twice inside the red zone by Glasgow, making two huge stops including a stop at the three yard-line on a hit by Horsey for the turnover on downs.

Evans and West carried the ball collectively for 30 yards and in the opening plays of the fourth quarter Evans broke free and ran 69 yards for the touchdown. Metzner added the extra point for the 28-0 score. The Blue Jays retook possession when Thompson pulled in an interception and ran to the end zone for the touchdown. Metzner added another point for the 35-0 lead.

“We have talked about this since April, it is 48 minutes at a time and somebody has to play us for 48 minutes,” Phillips said. “They have got to do what they are supposed to do inside and outside the building. The biggest fear could be the man in the mirror but we have one goal and that is to go play on the biggest stage.”

The Blue Jays will return to Bob Dowd Stadium on Saturday to play McKean on Ron Dickerson Field in the DIAA Division 1A semifinals.