Sanderson football
PHOTO BY HEATHER KOPETSKIE
Brandon McCain (17) and Matt James (2) pull down an Athens Drive ball carrier during Friday night's season opener at Sanderson. The Jaguars pulled out a 21-14 win over the Spartans.
Athens Drive slips up Sanderson
Despite a commendable, impressive and determined second-half comeback, the Sanderson football team fell to Athens Drive 21-14 in Friday night's season opener.
After an up-and-down first half — which resulted in a 14-0 deficit at halftime — the Spartans put together two solid quarters, pushing the Jaguars until the game's final minute. But Sanderson was unable continue its late surge and pull out the win.
Sanderson got off to a rocky start as its defense missed several opportunities to convert Jaguars’ miscues into turnovers. And early in the game, Jaguars’ high-powered rushing attack appeared to have its way.
While Sanderson's offense sputtered for most of the first half, running back Derrick Powell and wide receiver Matt James did show glimpses of their potential. But the offense's inability to move the chains kept punter/linebacker Brandon McCain busy.
After intermission, however, Sanderson looked like a different team, and the Spartans were reenergized with the recovery of an onside kick. Sanderson's offense then mounted a 55-yard drive, capped-off by an elusive, 22-yard rushing touchdown by James.
Sanderson forced the Jaguars to punt on their next possession, giving the Spartans the ball on their own 39-yard line. And three Jaguar personal fouls — two for roughing the passer and another for contact on a Spartans receiver — helped keep the drive alive. The Spartans then converted a crucial fourth-and-one, and kept on rolling as senior QB Sam Bauckham found wide receiver Chris Lampkins in the end zone.
The touchdown pulled Sanderson and Athens Drive even at 14-14.
The Jaguars and Spartans traded possession several times in the final quarter, and James and linebacker Bryan Burke played big roles in limiting Athens Drive's offense.
But the Spartans got a break when they were fortuitously flagged for illegal procedure during a punt attempt, and were forced to re-kick.
On the second try, the Jaguars' returner fumbled, and Sanderson's Dayquawn Johnson recovered the loose ball in the scrum. On the very next play, however, miscommunication resulted in a fumbled snap, and the Spartans gave back possession.
With less than a minute remaining, a late hit on the Jaguars’ quarterback set up a first down on the Spartans’ 14-yard line. Athens Drive eventually punched the ball into the end zone on a short run, leaving the Spartans just 31 seconds to mount a comeback drive.
But a last-second Sanderson interception sealed the game's outcome.
Following the game, Brit Morton, Sanderson's defensive coordinator, explained his players need to practice the basics.
“We’re going to watch tape [on Monday], and work on our fundamentals," the assistant coach said.
He added the defense must focus on tackling as the season progresses, but commended his team for their effort, saying “They just didn’t quit."
Fortunately for Morton, he appears to have the talent to build on.
The Spartans had several outstanding individual performances, including defensive end Wilson William’s sack for a 10-yard loss, and a touchdown pass broken-up by defensive back Carl Marant.
Morton explained his defense is still young — five players are just sophomores —but adds that with better tackling, the defense may change the tide sooner rather than later.
After the game, first-year head coach Tony Lewis instructed his team not to dwell on the loss.
“Feel bad,” he said. “Let it hurt ... for 15-minutes.”
Lewis employs a “nothing negative” philosophy when addressing his team, and he praised his Spartans for their determination.
“You could have folded-up the second half, but you didn’t," he said. "You have got nothing to hang your heads about.”
The Spartans' next game is Friday, Aug. 28, at Southeast Raleigh. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
