Zwinak Leads Offense in Lancers Win
The Linganore Lancers will play again Friday, November 27th at M&T Bank Stadium in the Maryland 3A State Semi-Final.
Photo By: Howard Bernstein / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Zach Zwinak had touchdown runs of 91 and 50 yards on his way to 240 yards on the ground for the night.
Photo By: Howard Bernstein / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Nick Marth ran the Linganore offense effectively with timely throws and crafty bootlegs for big yardage.
Photo By: Howard Bernstein / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Written by: Marc Bastow
GAITHERSBURG, MD - All season long there were rumors and whispers heard around Montgomery County, and in particular in the 4A West Region: watch out for Frederick County's Linganore High School, and in particular their star running back and Penn State-bound Zach Zwinak.
The rumor was that they might be the best team in the state. After last night's convincing 19-0 win at the Cougar Den in Gaithersburg over undefeated and number one seed Quince Orchard, the Lancers will get their chance to make the rumor truth, as they head up to Baltimore to play in the Maryland State Semi-Finals next Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium.
As for Zwinak, you can officially stop the whispers, as he followed up a 327-yard game last weekend against Damascus with a 240-yard two-touchdown game last night. After gaining over 500 yards in two games against two outstanding defenses, it's safe to say the guy is an extraordinary player and not be understating the case.
Linganore came into the game 11-0, and was the 4A State runner up last year, so it's unlikely anyone took them for granted. Their victory over Damascus not withstanding, it's still fair to say they might've been an underdog, at least in the minds of most of the 4,500 fans who packed Cougar Stadium, and who've watched Quince Orchard play all season.
As if to make sure everyone knew that they were confident in their abilities, the Lancers won the coin toss, deferred to the second half, and kicked to Quince Orchard.
As has been the case all season, the Cougars immediately went to their strength, Ben Sasu, as he carried the ball on seven consecutive plays, gaining 33-yards and moving the Cougars to the Linganore 38-yard line before Quince Orchard punted the ball away.
Linganore started on their 5-yard line, and countered with their strength as Zwinak carried on 3 consecutive plays, but punted back.
Quince Orchard took over in good field possession on the Linganore 47-yard line, but could move no further than the 33. After punting, Quince Orchard had Linganore pinned on their 1-yard line.
Zwinak gained five yards on first down, than burst up the middle for 40 yards to get Linganore from out from the shadow of their goal line. Senior quarterback Nicholas Marth ran a bootleg for 8 yards, then hit senior Michael Johnson (2 receptions) deep for another 35 yards.
Kevin Meyers finished off the 5-play, 99-yard drive with a 4-yard run to put the Lancers on the board. Kenneth Eckard's extra point staked Linganore to a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The teams battled for field position into the second quarter, and after a series of punts, Linganore once again found themselves deep in their own end, starting on their 9-yard line with just over 1 minute remaining before the half.
Marth handed off the Zwinak, who followed a crushing block by Robbie Havenstein over the left side, cut to the sideline, and raced 91 yards for the score. Zwinak broke three tackles on the play, including two as he struggled to keep his footing the final 25 yards.
It was a play Havenstein and his offensive line-mates set up all night, and for which Zwinak was most thankful. "I give all credit to the offense line; they (Quince Orchard) blocked it up early, but we got some holes and I was able to cut it back up for yards," he said after the game. The score pushed the Linganore lead to 13-0 at the half.
All season long the Quince Orchard defense was able to bend but not break against the run, primarily due to their outstanding corps of linebackers, but they found the going very tough against the Lancers.
With the linebackers blocked, senior defensive end Arnold Olali (10 tackles) was called on to make a number of outstanding plays to keep Marth, Kevin Myers, and Zwinak in check over the first half.
Meanwhile, the Linganore defense was playing an outstanding defensive game, holding Ben Sasu in check by not allowing him to break freely into the open for long runs. Indeed, the Linganore tackling was outstanding the entire game.
Quince Orchard's chance to climb back into the game came mid-way into the third quarter. A fumble by Marth and recovered by Daquan Mincy set the Cougars up at the Linganore 45-yard line.
Murphy (6-12-75) hit Karim Jones with a 9-yard pass, and after two Sasu runs got the ball to the 25-yard line, Murphy again hit Jones with a strike at the 15-yard line. Jones fumbled the ball, and the recovery by Linganore ended the threat.
Linganore opened the fourth quarter with possession of the ball, and they methodically worked Zwinak on 9 straight carries, including one in which Zwinak carried 3 Quince Orchard defenders for a 5-yard gain.
While they did not score, the Lancers took 5 minutes off the clock, punting the ball back to the Cougars with just over 7 minutes remaining. Once again the Cougars could not move the ball, and Linganore took over after a punt on the 50-yard line.
It took Zwinak just one play to effectively end the evening, as he took a handoff and went straight up the middle, outracing everyone to the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, and a 19-0 lead.
In one final display of dominance, Linganore managed to pick up their last first down of the game after starting with 1st and 25 due to a series of penalties. Quince Orchard took over on downs as they clock ran out, ending the Cougars season.
After the game, Linganore coach Rick Connor jubilantly addressed his team and their unspoken lack of respect. "Nobody gave us a chance; people said we did not play anybody, and we didn't have a chance," he told his team. "But you did not listen, and that's what I love about you guys."
On the other side of the field, Quince Orchard coach Dave Mencarini was just as emotional as he addressed his team. "You have nothing to be ashamed of," he told them, "you are the best team in Montgomery County."
Now Linganore gets to find out if they are the best in the State of Maryland. Forget about trying to keep them a secret any more.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Zach Zwinak, Linganore
Zwink had touchdown runs of 91 and 50 yards on his way to 240 yards on the ground for the night.
Nicholas Marth, Linganore
7-76 yards rushing, 2-3 48 yards passing, 1 interception
Marth ran the Linganore offense effectively with timely throws and crafty bootlegs for big yardage.
The Linganore Offensive Line
Led by Havenstein, James Rippeon, and Matthew Daw, the line opened up just enough holes for Marth , Zwinak and Myers to rack up over 300 yards on the ground
THE GAME CHANGED WHEN:
With Linganore backed up on their own 9-yard line in the second quarter, Zwinak found a hole on the left side, cut up the sideline and went 91 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Linganore lead to 13-0.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Linganore Rushing:
Zach Zwinak: 21-240-2 tds
Nicholas Marth: 7-76
Linganore Passing:
Nicholas Marth: 2-3-48 1 int
Quince Orchard Running:
Ben Sasu: 29-118
Quince Orchard Passing:
Drew Murphy: 6-12-75 2 int
NEXT GAME:
Quince Orchard: Season Complete
Linganore: Friday November 27 at M&T Bank Stadium, Maryland 3A State Semi-Final. Opponent TBD.
