Halifax capitalizes on Wave miscues

Untimely turnovers clip Petersburg

by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond

Call it a cliche. Call it a worn-out saying. Call it what you want.

It’s right.

The team with the fewest turnovers will usually win a football game.

Turnovers: Petersburg 3, Halifax County 2. Score: Halifax County 23, Petersburg 14 on Friday night as the Crimson Wave kicked off the football season in the Central Region.

The Crimson Wave defense dominated the game early, playing most of the first half in Halifax’s territory.

They set up the offense in prime territory twice, but the Petersburg offense went out on downs twice.

So the special teams unit turned it up a notch as standout defensive end Justin Pulley blocked a Justin Bagby punt.

Pulley dropped the carom at the 3-yard line but Petersburg still gained possession. One play later, fullback Joshua Allen banged in for a 6-0 advantage.

Lemal Adams, Halifax Co., 8/24/07

Lemal Adams takes this pass from Josh Hudson, slips a tackle and scores the go-ahead TD as Halifax County never looked back.

Three possessions later, Petersburg knocked Comets starting quarterback Rodell Pippen out of the game. In came backup Josh Hudson and the tide started to change.

“Our gameplan didn’t change because of that,” Comets head coach Stan Hodgin said. “That’s because the guys he’s got are outstanding. They actually ran a lot faster than on film.”

So Hodgin and his offensive line wore the talented Crimson Wave defense down with a draw handoff to Travis Stevens out of the shotgun. Stevens (22 carries, 94 yards, 2 TDs) busted off 21 yards on two straight carries.

With Petersburg (0-1) back on its heels, Hudson found Lemal Adams in the flat. He shook off a tackle and outran everyone to the end zone for a lead Halifax (1-0) would not relinquish, in part because of Petersburg turnovers.

Petersburg QB Montrell McDaniel was picked by Clyde Scott two plays later. Halifax stalled but Cameron Starke booted a 32-yard field goal for a 10-6 lead, Petersburg’s halftime deficit.

Petersburg mounted a drive to midfield before bobbling the QB-center exchange. Halifax took advantage, scoring in seven plays, five runs by Stevens. His last carry was a five-yard scamper for a 17-6 advantage.

“We started blocking better,” Stevens said. “I knew they were going to be tough. They had some quickness. I knew that was going to come sooner or later.”

Petersburg mounted a long drive of their own, taking almost seven minutes off the block. Demondre Woodson scored on a 41-yard jolt to bring life back to Petersburg, trailing by three, 17-14.

Petersburg’s defense did it’s job, halting Halifax to give the pigskin back to the offense. But Petersburg gave it right back as Woodson fumbled the handoff.

Stevens scored two plays later from six yards out to end the scoring.

“It’s never a good time for a turnover,” Petersburg coach Remus James said. “It’s the same thing as last year. We can’t have that against an explosive team like Halifax.”

James can’t have six starters sitting on the bench either. That list included Sharrod Brown (WR/S), Eric Magruder (ATH/CB) and defensive end Kevin Blount, all playmakers.

“No excuses. We just need to execute every play,” James said. “Your backups are only backups when your starters are in there.”

Sharrod Brown was one of six starters not to play for Petersburg.

Halifax County……….0 10 7 6 – 23
Petersburg……………6 0 8 0 – 14
P – Allen 3 run (kick failed)
HC – Adams 30 pass from Hudson (Starke kick)
HC – FG Starke 32
HC – Stevens 5 run (Starke kick)
P – Woodson 41 run (Woodson run)
HC – Stevens 6 run (kick failed)

RUSHING
Halifax County – Stevens 22 carries, 94 yards, 2 TDs, Pippen 6-43, Hudson 5-22; Petersburg – Woodson 4-47, TD; Lance Ford 14-41, McDaniel 3-36, Derrick Graham 1-(minus 1); Allen 2-(minus 2)

PASSING
Halifax County – Hudson 3 for 6, 61 yards; Pippen 3 for 4, 18 yards; Petersburg – McDaniel 9 for 20, 1 interception, 82 yards

RECEIVING
Halifax County – Adams 3 receptions, 61 yards, TD, Gabe Aguilar 1-16; Ervin 2-2; Petersburg – Graham 5-43, Ibn Rassoull 2-22, Timothy Walker 1-8, Jones 1-6