Zwinak Leads Lancers Over Hornets 33-20
Zach Zwinak rushed for 327 yards and scored two touchdowns in the win.
Photo By: Howard Bernstein / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Greg Stanton displayed athleticism for the Hornets with one interception in the Lancer end zone.
Photo By: Howard Bernstein / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
FREDERICK, MD - Friday night's playoff match between the #2 seed Linganore Lancers and the #3 seed Damascus Hornets started off with a boom before the opening kickoff, literally.
Fireworks filled the sky and continued with every Lancer score and ultimately a fireworks celebration illuminated the stadium at the end of the game. There were plenty of fireworks to go around as the Lancers defeated the Hornets 33-20 on their home turf sending them into the Regional Finals.
The Lancers won the coin toss, but opted to defer and hand the ball over to the Hornets. Damascus was forced to punt on their opening drive. On Linganore's opening drive, the magic of senior running back Zach Zwinak started to happen. He racked up nine of his total 327 yards in his first carry.
Linganore would end the drive with a field goal by Alex Eckard with 7:47 left in the 1st quarter.
What started out as a shaky start for the Hornets, turned around late in the first quarter. Junior wide receiver Brandon Phelps would outrun the Lancer defense for a 76 yard pass touchdown reception to put the Hornets up by three. With an extra point, Damascus had their first lead of the game with 3:28 left in the first quarter.
The tough defense of Linganore was stopping the Hornets in their tracks as the second quarter ticked by. Greg Stanton of Damascus intercepted the ball in the Lancer end zone, but unfortunately the Hornets were forced to punt on their offensive drive.
A fumbled punt resulted in Damascus having a 1st and goal at the Lancer five yard line but Colby Weierbach and the Lancer defense would put a stop to that sacking Connor Frazier in the backfield.
As the Lancers took over on downs, Zwinak took a hand-off up the middle and went 53 yards for the score. Linganore owned the lead again 10-7 with 7:04 remaining in the second quarter.
Damascus answered right back with play conversions by Phelps and Stanton. As the ball rested on the 34 yard line of the Lancers, Brian Lucas took it to the house with a 34 yard touchdown run to put the Hornets up once again 13-10.
On the next Lancer drive, Zwinak, Tyler Thompson and Ryan Dixon would help advanced Linganore to the Hornet 13 yard line. From there, Nick Marth would scramble for a 13 yard touchdown run and the lead was exchanged yet again 17-13. That is where the scored stayed until halftime.
During the first minute of play in the third quarter, it was all Zwinak again as he would carry the ball 79 yards in for the score. This touchdown opened the game up for the Lancers. Eckard would add a field goal with 2:57 left in the third quarter.
With the score 27-13, in favor of Linganore, Damascus was proving they were still alive and able. Junior Nick Magas brought the Hornets to within eight as he scored a touchdown in the opening minute of the 4th quarter.
With the score 27-20 and 5:50 left in the game, Damascus could not convert on a 4th and 1. The Lancers took over on downs and drove to the Hornet eight yard line. Kevin Myers would scramble untouched into the end zone for the score and with 1:41 left in the game, the score was 33-20. That is how it would end and the Lancers will advance through the playoffs.
"They are good, really good, but we came out and ran our plays and the line was blocking all night. I just ran for what the line gave me; they work hard", stated Zack Zwinak after the win.
The Lancers are a team that has it all. Head Coach Rick Connor was pleased with his team after the game. "This was a big night. We have some work to do. There was great senior leadership and a great job by all tonight."
Linganore will face an undefeated 11-0 Quince Orchard Cougar team Friday, November 20th in Gaithersburg for the Regional Final game.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Zach Zwinak, Linganore Lancers
Zwinak rushed for 327 yards and scored two touchdowns in the win.
Brandon Phelps, Damascus Hornets
Phelps had numerous receptions and scored one touchdown on a 76 yard pass play.
THE GAME CHANGED WHEN:
With 5:50 left in the game, Damascus was down 27-20. In possession of the football, they could not convert on a 4th and 1. This seemed to switch the momentum to the Lancers who would score yet another touchdown and win the game.
NEXT GAME:
Friday November 20th
#2 Seed Linganore vs #1 Seed Quince Orchard
Location: Quince Orchard
