By By Robby Atkinson / special to The star
Sept. 25, 2004
The Northeast Lauderdale Trojans had no problems finding its offensive rhythm on Friday night, but the Florence Eagles found all kinds of trouble in stopping junior quarterback Maurice Langston.
Langston ended the game by going 7-for-13 passing for 145 yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans celebrated homecoming in style with a 42-12 win over the Eagles. Northeast Lauderdale improved to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in Division 5-4A.
"Our offensive line did a superb job in the first half and gave our backs a chance to make something happen," said Northeast Lauderdale head coach Steve Nelson. "We played a great game and this also gave our younger kids a chance to get some playing time, but we know that next week will be a big test."
The Trojans will travel to Clarke County next week to tangle with the Quitman Panthers in another key divisional showdown.
"They are a physical football team and we know what to expect," added Nelson. "Winning on the road is big in this division and next week will be a big test."
The Trojans took the opening kickoff and drove the ball 80 yards on eight plays to take a quick 7-0 lead with 8:55 left in the first quarter. Langston scored the touchdown on a 16-yard and Jason White added the extra point to give the Trojans a seven-point edge.
Langston ended the game with four carries for 73 yards and one touchdown in rushing department.
Northeast Lauderdale got the ball back moments later and scored once again to extend the lead to 14-0 with 4:25 left in the first quarter. Marco Jefferson scored the touchdown on a six-yard run and White added the PAT for the Trojans.
Northeast Lauderdale held the Eagles on defense and added its third touchdown of the night to begin the second quarter. The Trojans drove the ball 67 yards on eights plays to make the score 21-0 with 11:50 left in the second. Langston found tight end Jeremy Barnacastle for an eight-yard pass for the score.
Northeast Lauderdale continued to pour on the offense moments later as Jefferson added his second touchdown of the night on a six-yard run to extend the lead to 28-0 with 7:08 left until halftime. After a short possession by Florence, the Trojans put the ball into the endzone once again to make the score 35-0 with 1:54 left in the second quarter.
Cortney Scott scored on a 36-yard run and White added the extra point to give Northeast Lauderdale a comfortable lead heading into the halftime break. The Trojans added its final touchdown of the night with seven seconds left in the second quarter. Langston connected with Brian Truman on a 47-yard strike to give Northeast Lauderdale a 42-0 lead heading into the dressing room.
Northeast Lauderdale ended the game with 398 yards of total offense and 356 yards came in the first half. The Trojan defense held Florence to -11 yards in the first half and only one first down.
Florence avoided the shutout with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Quaterback Donald Garrett scored on a one-yard run and Garrett found Doug May for a five-yard pass for a touchdown which amounted for the only offense for the Eagles in the game.
Florence finished with 159 yards of total offense and fell to 0-5 for the season.