Coyotes Win Convincingly Over Cavaliers
Clarksburg's Eric Olsen #68 led a superb offensive line performance on a mud covered field.
Photo By: Ed Sheahin | VIEW GALLERY
Clarksburg QB Andrew Veith meeting with Maryland Crab Bowl President Chuck Harmon prior to the game.
Photo By: Ed Sheahin | VIEW GALLERY
Bisi Ezekoye was under the watchful eyes of Maryland Crab Bowl President Chuck Harmon. Ezekoye scored three minutes into the third quarter on a 33-yard dash up the middle.
Photo By: Ed Sheahin | VIEW GALLERY
Written by: Ed Sheahin
CLARKSBURG, MD - In what turned out to be a gut-check game for the Clarksburg Coyotes (6-1) following their bitter 34-28 defeat in overtime to #6 Quince Orchard last week, the Coyotes responded with a convincing 39-6 victory over the Kennedy Cavaliers tonight.
Although slowed by a muddy track, Clarksburg's senior Quarterback Andrew Veith managed to sway his way through the rain soaked field on homecoming night for 116 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Veith, who normally utilizes his 4.27 speed to out run opposing defenses, relied heavily on the strength of his determined offensive line to maintain their blocks and patiently lead the Coyotes on sustained drives.
Linemen Alex Sofillas, Eric Olsen, and Kyle Schafer solidified the Coyote's right side of the line scrimmage despite the deluge that covered Clarksburg's home field.
"I had to bury my feet deep within the mud to get traction," Sofillas said. "Once I figured how to maintain my footing in the mud I could provide the leverage I needed to stay with my man. I was a little surprised with their (Kennedy's) line play. They were very tough."
Olsen agreed, adding, "Kennedy has a solid core of players. We had trouble getting to the second level and cutting-off their linebackers."
Clarksburg entered the game as the heavy favorite. But with Kennedy squeezed between an emotional loss to Quince Orchard and next week's game with playoff contending Paint Branch, this game had upset written all over it.
Mix in a heavy rain with the excitement of homecoming, Clarksburg Coach Larry Hurd knew he had his hands full in keeping his team focused.
Hurd addressed his team prior to the game, specifically his offensive linemen. "If you want to get to where we want to go, you have to get better!"
The Coyotes responded to Hurd's stern warning, jumping out to an early 12-0 first quarter lead. Veith got the ball rolling with a 35-yard touchdown run off the right side behind the blocking of Sofillas and Olsen.
After a second Kennedy fumble that was recovered by Desean Martinez (3 fumble recoveries in total), who was in the Cavaliers backfield all night, Veith expanded the Coyotes' lead with a 6-yard scoring run.
On the very first play of the second quarter Martinez struck again. He recovered his third fumble in a five minute span in the end zone, giving the Coyotes a commanding 19-0 lead.
Half way through the second quarter, after Kennedy failed on a fourth down conversion in Coyote territory, senior fullback Brent Kidwell increased Clarksburg's lead to 26-0 with a 4-yard burst up the middle.
The first half scoring ended with just over a minute remaining when Veith connected with senior receiver Ace Clark, Jr. (2 receptions for 24 yards, 1 TD) on a 30-yard touchdown pass.
The Coyote's entered the halftime break with a 33-0 lead and looked primed to initiate the running clock rule early in the third quarter--with a 35 point lead or greater the clock continues to run.
However, Kennedy Coach Randolph Warren would have none of that. He refused to allow his team to quite. Battered, bruised, cold and dejected, Warren addressed his team at the break, "I told them we were moving the ball.
We were picking up first downs, we turned the ball over and the game got away from us. You can either give-up, or you can go back out there and suck it up play the way you're capable of playing."
The Cavaliers chose the latter. Led by senior all-purpose back Bisi Ezekoye, who scored three minutes into the third quarter on a 33-yard dash up the middle, Kennedy would not go out without a fight.
"We have a limited number of players on our team. We had to call up four freshmen to play in this game. Although we didn't win, I was glad to see we stayed motivated and played with them the entire second half with their starters still in the game," Ezekoye said.
Ezekoye, along with Veith were under the watchful eyes of Maryland Crab Bowl President Chuck Harmon on this night.
Harmon, who is always looking for the best football talent in the state, had this to say about the game's two star players, "Both are great kids and excellent students. They have 3.9 GPA's and proudly represent their communities. Those are the type of kids we invite to the Crab Bowl each year."
The Cavaliers wouldn't get any closer the rest of the way, but they showed great character in the second half, matching Clarksburg's second half output.
"I was proud of the way we came out and fought tonight," Hurd said after the game. "Honestly, I was a little worried following the loss to QO last week and homecoming this week. But they responded and took care of business.
We lost focus in the second half, but we got the win. Now, I am completely focusing on Paint Branch. Mike Nesmith has done a wonderful job turning that program around. I am very nervous about that one."
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Andrew Veith, Clarksburg QB
Rushed for 116 yards and had two rushing touchdowns.
Eric Olsen, Clarksburg
Led a superb offensive line performance on a mud covered field
Bisi Ezekoye, Kennedy
1 TD in the 3rd quarter
