Sanderson football
PHOTO BY ROB ORAZI
With a defender hanging on him, Sanderson receiver Kevin Ott (10) secures the ball during Friday night's thrilling 22-20 victory over New Bern.
With stellar second half, Spartans clinch first win
Just how much did Friday night's 22-20 come-from-behind victory over New Bern mean to the Sanderson football team? At its emotional conclusion, several Spartans actually had tears streaking down their faces.
Entering the contest winless, the Spartans started off inauspiciously Friday as their first possession went three-and-out. The visiting Bears quickly took advantage of good field position at midfield, capping off their opening drive with a touchdown pass to receiver Mike Brown.
But Sanderson regrouped in time to pressure the ensuing kick, and New Bern missed its PAT.
Unfortunately for the Spartans, their offensive problems continued on their next possession. Dropped passes and a costly sack brought up a fourth-and-long, forcing a Sanderson punt. Afterward head Coach Tony Lewis said the squad's timing was an issue early in the game. “We shot ourselves in the foot,” he explained. “The offense just wasn’t in sync.”
While the offense struggled, the Spartans defense wasn't missing a beat.
Juniors Darius McKnight and Mike Ulasi broke-up a deep pass attempt on the following Bears' possession. Then the Sanderson defensive line crashed into the backfield on third-and-seven, eventually forcing New Bern to punt. However, a penalty for running into the kicker kept the New Bern drive alive. The Spartans' defense again asked the call, and New Bern failed to convert a fourth-and-10 as Sanderson senior Wilson William gave the Bears nowhere to run.
After an uneventful Sanderson possession, New Bern regained possession and QB Jerrell Armstrong took the snap from deep in his own territory and bolted 84-yards along the left sidelines for a touchdown. With a successful two-point conversion, the Bears led 14-0 through one quarter.
In the second quarter, Sanderson’s ball-control troubles continued, fumbling on a punt return, which New Bern recovered. But the Spartans' defense remained steadfast, and junior Montez Hedgepeth sniffed-out a run on fourth-and-three, dropping the Bears' runner in the backfield.
Sanderson was finally able to put together an effective drive, but a questionable spot on fourth-and-inches gave the ball back to the Bears.
On New Bern's next possession, Armstrong fumbled the first-down snap, but recovered his error, turning the miscue into a 30-yard gain. However Armstrong's luck would change as Sanderson linebacker Brandon McCain stepped up and made a big interception.
Two Bear defensive penalties and a huge run by Sanderson running back Derrick Powell, set up Paul Houston's 49-yard field goal just before halftime.
“I just tried not to think about [the kick],” Houston said. “I stay in my own little place, and just zone out.”
Leading 14-3 to start the third quarter, the Bears began on their own 20-yard line, but a pair of penalties, and punishing defensive stop by Hedgepeth and McCain, pinned the New Bern offense near their own end zone. The Spartans then flooded the backfield and forced a safety, spearheaded by senior August Jones and Hedgepeth.
Although Sanderson trailed 14-5 in the final quarter, any offensive issues the Spartans had earlier seemed to disappear when senior QB Sam Bauckham hit a wide-open Josh O’Neal in the corner of the end zone. With Houston’s PAT, and the Spartans suddenly found themselves within two points, 14-12.
Sanderson's defense promptly forced another three-and-out, which put the Spartans' revitalized offense back on the field. The Spartans moved the ball effectively, with a nice run by Bauckham on QB keeper, and set up another Houston field goal from 36 yards out. The kick gave Sanderson its first lead of the game 15-14.
PHOTO BY ROB ORAZI
Junior defensive end Montez Hedgepath (90) made several key stops Friday night, helping Sanderson knock off New Bern. The Spartans (1-4) begin conference play next week at Wakefield.
Two plays later, Jones made a crucial interception, picking off Armstrong and racing 37 yards for a touchdown.
“It was exhilarating,” Jones said. “It felt like a dream.”
Houston again nailed the PAT, and the Spartans went up by eight points, 22-14.
The Bears refused to concede defeat, however, and orchestrated a late-game scoring drive, finished with a Josh Moore TD run. But with the Spartans staking the line of scrimmage, New Bear's following two-point attempt failed. The Spartans sealed the victory, recovering an on-side kick attempt with just a minute remaining.
After the game, an emotional Hedgepeth said it was just a matter of time. “We knew we could come back,” he said. “We’re a family, and we watch each other’s backs out there.”
Added Lewis, “This is what happens when you believe in yourselves, your coaches and your team."
The coach reminded the Spartans, however, that there is still a long way to go. “This ain't it,” he said. “This just proves you can do it.”
The Spartans open their conference schedule next week, traveling to Wakefield Friday, Sept. 25. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
