by Sumner Widdoes
Staff Writer
10/21/2006
It
has long been preached that the more penalties a team commits, the less
a chance it has of winning the game. And that theory could have proven
true Friday night at the Mills Godwin stadium, except in-between their
myriad of holding and illegal procedure penalties, the Deep Run
Wildcats ran the ball with extraordinary power and determination.
The
Wildcats?? 25-12 victory over the Godwin Eagles was as much a toast to
their agile running back and strong defense as it was an exposé on
improper blocking techniques. Unfortunately the Eagles could not
capitalize on the visitors?? mistakes to give the home crowd a victory.
??We??ve
got to clean [our play] up,? Deep Run coach Lenny Pritchard said after
the game. ??It??s crazy to come from a game where we don??t commit any
penalties, to one where we have 14 or 15.?
Deep
Run committed 15 offensive penalties ?? three on one play ?? but still
managed to control the game clock, thanks to Wildcat running back Wes
McDaniel. McDaniel broke for runs of 25, 32, 27, and 20 yards, and
scored one touchdown and one two-point conversion.
His
consistent ability to get into the Godwin secondary gave quarterback
Deck McGuire as much time as he needed for the play-action passing
game. McGuire completed passes of 30 and 23 yards, and narrowly missed
two wide-open bombs that easily would have gone for touchdowns if
completed. He also had two rushing touchdowns.
The
Eagles themselves featured a strong running attack in the first half,
but were forced to abandon the ground game once the deficit grew too
large. Running back Chris Fornataro managed 80 first half rushing
yards, but saw only five more attempts in the second half.
After
a turnover on its first possession caused by a fumbled snap, Mills
Godwin drove 72 yards for the game??s first touchdown. The Eagles??
kicker missed the extra point, and from there they would not score
another point until 9:06 remained in the game.
Deep
Run scored a 25-yard field goal with 11:12 left in the first quarter,
then got a touchdown on a quarterback draw by McGuire. The Wildcats
finished the half leading 10-6 and kept their momentum in the second
half.
After
squandering a solid drive that stalled inside the Godwin 40-yard line,
the Wildcats?? defense forced a three-and-out, which was followed by a
40-yard touchdown drive. With 10:29 left in the game, the Wildcats
further cemented their lead with a 78-yard touchdown drive that started
with a fumble recovery.
The Eagles, sensing that their scoring chances were dwindling, drove 66 yards in 1:23 ending in a touchdown pass from Travis Lane
to Mason Simpson. The crowd noise grew to a low rumble, as students and
parents alike were growing restless and hoped to see the Eagles come
all the way back.
But
after a failed onside kick and two consecutive interceptions ?? one from
Lane and another from Fornataro on a reverse halfback option ?? the game
essentially was over and the Deep Run Wildcats were crowned champions
of the first Outback Showdown. With the victory, Deep Run moves to 7-0
(4-0 Colonial District); Godwin falls to 3-4 (2-2).
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