Seneca Valley Tops Churchill
By: Jeremy Binckes
POTOMAC, MD - An unstoppable Eddie Cunningham powered the Seneca Valley Screaming Eagles (2-0) to a dominating 34-0 victory over the Churchill Bulldogs
Churchill, coming off their worst performance in recent history, had a less-than-stellar homecoming. In their first two games, the Bulldogs have been outscored 76-0.
The offense was down before the game even began; with one of the Bulldogs' starting quarterbacks out for the year with an injury, and another unable to play due to personal reasons, Churchill had to rely on third-string quarterback Dominique Williams to set the offense.
Williams, a sophomore, forced the Bulldogs to abandon their aerial game. Seneca Valley saw an opportunity, and ran with it. Throughout the first half, the defensive line smothered Churchill's running game. Williams only attempted two passes in the first half. The second attempt was an incomplete pass on a long bomb. The first was even worse: On a second down play from their own 25-yard line, he dropped back, but immediately froze. Indecisive, Williams had a deer-in-headlights look and tried to recover by a scramble up the middle. He made it a yard and a half before being sacked.
The Screaming Eagles, for their defensive ability, were able to capitalize twice in the first half, both on running plays. First, Seneca Valley quarterback Max Nicholson mixed running and passing plays well, eventually leading to a three-yard touchdown run by Eddie Cunningham.
With 2:48 left in the first quarter, Nicholson was hit viciously by the defense and came out with an ankle injury. He was able to return in the third quarter. His replacement, Junior Tanner Vallely, did not miss a beat. Vallely, sporting a very strong arm, found Tre Cunningham during his first series, and later Bernard Wolley for a 25-yard completion.
The Bulldogs' bright spot was their defense, which came up huge when they needed it most. On a fourth-and-one, the Churchill stopped the Screaming Eagles up the middle. On a third quarter drive, the Eagles were sacked and pushed back over fifteen yards in Churchill's best defensive series of the game.
The Bulldogs' offensive line found the holes in the Screaming Eagles' offense, constantly putting pressure on the quarterbacks. In the opening drive of the fourth quarter, Jake Sickels picked off a tipped throw by Nicholson, who had three jerseys barreling down on him when he threw. Nicholson was penalized a handful of times for intentional grounding after being under heavy pressure. But for all the Bulldogs' defensive abilities, they simply could not contain Cunningham's running ability.
The running back continue his excellent game with a 40-yard run on the right side, breaking tackles. On the very next play, Cunningham would record his second of THREE touchdowns.
The half did not end better for the Bulldogs, nor Williams. After a few runs by Marcus Brown, Churchill was able to pick up only their second first down of the game. This positive was quickly offset by another incomplete pass, and they would not attempt a pass for the rest of the half.
The Screaming Eagles entered the second half soaring, led by the returning Nicholson but powered by Dimitri Parker. On a third and miles, Parker nearly got a first down after changing directions twice, escaping three defenders clasping his feet, and scampering down the left sideline for an over 30-yard run.
The Bulldogs, on their first drive of the quarter, asked Williams to throw once again. This time, Parker was there for an interception, and returned it 35 yards to make it 20-0. Cunningham would increase the lead to 28-0 after -- who else? -- Eddie Cunningham, ran in his third touchdown, complete with a successful two-point conversions.
Williams came close, though, to redemption in the final quarter. On fourth down, Williams found Anthony Davis under the 10 yard line. Davis, on a fine diving attempt, was unable to get a hand under the ball. It fell incomplete, and the scoreless streak continued.
The Screaming Eagles would strike again when Kentrell Williams scampered in from afar to make it 34-0.
