By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
September 6, 2003
Northeast Lauderdale was on the losing end of a shutout last week. On Friday, they nearly dealt one to county rival Southeast Lauderdale in a 34-8 win.
Coming off a 23-0 loss to Northwest Rankin in their season opener, the Trojans showed marked improvement on both sides of the ball. The defensive line kept Southeast quarterback Drew Harper on the run for much of the night.
The Trojans also held their blocks better on offense, opening running lanes all night for their speed-based shotgun offense.
Perhaps most comfortable of all the Trojans was senior running back Dontray Walker, who finished with three rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Maurice Langston and Ed Pearce also added touchdowns for Northeast Lauderdale.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, momentum swung permanently for the Trojans in the second quarter. The Trojans finished a long drive on the first play of the second period with a 1-yard touchdown run by Walker.
After the Trojans missed the extra point, the Tigers started at their own 20 yard line trailing 6-0. They slowly drove the length of the field on a possession that lasted just over seven minutes, but were turned away by the Trojans defense on fourth and goal.
Southeast Lauderdale got the ball back after Northeast Lauderdale's offense stalled, but gave up possession on an interception by Pearce with less than two minutes remaining in the half. The Tigers' defense stymied Northeast Lauderdale's hurry-up offense until Langston completed an 11-yard pass on fourth down with 24 seconds remaining.
Moments later, Walker scored his second touchdown of the game from 44 yards out, and the Trojans never looked back.
Southeast Lauderdale head coach Dwane Taylor entered the game concerned that the Trojans would catch his defense napping on counters and misdirection plays, and he said that fear came to pass.
The Trojans began many of their possessions near or inside the 50-yard line, and Taylor said his team will have to find ways to make opposing offenses work harder for points.
Southeast Lauderdale's only score came with just over a minute remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Josh Davidson. Davidson also scored on the ensuing two-point conversion.By Will Bardwell
staff writer
Northeast Lauderdale was on the losing end of a shutout last week. On Friday, they nearly dealt one to county rival Southeast Lauderdale in a 34-8 win.
Coming off a 23-0 loss to Northwest Rankin in their season opener, the Trojans showed marked improvement on both sides of the ball. The defensive line kept Southeast quarterback Drew Harper on the run for much of the night.
The Trojans also held their blocks better on offense, opening running lanes all night for their speed-based shotgun offense.
Perhaps most comfortable of all the Trojans was senior running back Dontray Walker, who finished with three rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Maurice Langston and Ed Pearce also added touchdowns for Northeast Lauderdale.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, momentum swung permanently for the Trojans in the second quarter. The Trojans finished a long drive on the first play of the second period with a 1-yard touchdown run by Walker.
After the Trojans missed the extra point, the Tigers started at their own 20 yard line trailing 6-0. They slowly drove the length of the field on a possession that lasted just over seven minutes, but were turned away by the Trojans defense on fourth and goal.
Southeast Lauderdale got the ball back after Northeast Lauderdale's offense stalled, but gave up possession on an interception by Pearce with less than two minutes remaining in the half. The Tigers' defense stymied Northeast Lauderdale's hurry-up offense until Langston completed an 11-yard pass on fourth down with 24 seconds remaining.
Moments later, Walker scored his second touchdown of the game from 44 yards out, and the Trojans never looked back.
Southeast Lauderdale head coach Dwane Taylor entered the game concerned that the Trojans would catch his defense napping on counters and misdirection plays, and he said that fear came to pass.
The Trojans began many of their possessions near or inside the 50-yard line, and Taylor said his team will have to find ways to make opposing offenses work harder for points.
Southeast Lauderdale's only score came with just over a minute remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Josh Davidson. Davidson also scored on the ensuing two-point conversion.