By Craig Brown
Dillon Christian’s #20 TeShaun Lane returns the kick. (Photos by Craig Brown.)
Bad habits and poor execution at times plagued the Dillon Christian School Warriors as they fell 42-34 to the Florence Christian School Eagles 42-34 Friday night in Dillon.
Although the Eagles are a top rated 2A school and have only lost one game in the last two years, the Warriors were every bit their equal. After nine weeks of play the mistakes should be gone, but the Warriors committed four turnovers and continue to draw excessive numbers of penalties that consist mostly of holding and blocking in the back.
But the costliest mistake Friday was allowing two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. The Warrior coverage team appeared to have some players going full speed while others were using too much caution and others almost at a slow trot trying to find the ball carrier. This is where the fastest and best players must be used. Lake View lost a game earlier this season to Lamar due to two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. Coach Daryl King vowed to correct the problem and apparently has done so.
So far this season, several Warrior offensive plays for long gains or touchdowns have been called back due to holding or block in the back penalties. These mistakes should be eliminated or at least held to a low number by this point in the season. Several fans also noted a poor use of the clock in the fourth quarter when the Warriors were playing catchup. The Warriors are hoping to start the playoffs at home but they will have to defeat Holly Hill Academy Friday night at Warrior Stadium which means they must eliminate fumbles and interceptions, cut out costly penalties, show stronger confidence on kickoff coverage, and have their plays ready on offense.
The Warrior defense played very good against one of the best offensive lines in high school football which also has one of the top rushers in Alex James. Eliminate the mistakes and the Warriors take this game by two touchdowns.
An Eagle defender dives to take down Dillon Christian’s #20 TeShaun Lane.
The Warriors struck back quickly with TeShaun Lane racing 56 yards for a touchdown. The point after kick was blocked with 1:01 left in the first quarter cutting the Eagle lead to 14-6.
Jim Carr sent the kickoff to the 16-yard line where Austin Drummond fielded it. Drummond was well on his way by the time the first Warrior defender approached, returning the kick for 84 yards and the touchdown. Chris White added the point after to up the Eagle lead to 21-6 with 47 seconds left in the first quarter with the quarter ending with this score.
Late in the second quarter, Lane helped close the gap for the Warriors with a 1-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, leaving the Eagles out front 21-12 with 2:42 left in the second quarter. Alex James broke a one-arm tackle attempt by the Warriors and raced untouched after that for a 75-yard kickoff return. Drummond’s point after kick gave the Eagles a 28-12 lead with 2:27 left in the second quarter.
With 42 seconds left in the first half, Jim Carr hit Ellison Rourke with a 19-yard touchdown pass. Carr’s point after kick closed the first half with the Eagles holding onto a 28-19 lead.
Alex James picked up his final touchdown of the game on a 37-yard run with 7:47 left in the third quarter. Drummond put the Eagles up 35-19 with his point after kick.
Carr hit Luke Price with a 90-yard touchdown pass on the Warriors next possession with Carr connecting with Lane on the conversion pass, closing the Eagle lead to 35-27 with 5:49 left in the third quarter. The Eagles got the ball in good position as the Warriors squib kicked, preferring not to go deep on the kickoff. The Eagles finished the short 55-yard drive with Bryce Broach crossing the goal on a 6-yard run. White’s kick increased the Eagle lead to 42-27 with 2:40 left in the third quarter. The quarter would end with this score.
As one fan pointed out, the Warriors seemed to play as if they had all the time in the world in the fourth quarter. The Warriors scored with 4.9 seconds left in the game with Carr connecting with Red Williams on an 18-yard touchdown pass. Carr’s point after kick closed the scoring at Eagles 42, Warriors 34. The Warriors made an attempt for the onside kick but the Eagles had their good hands up front to get the ball and end the game.
On offense for the Warriors, Jim Carr was 23 of 39 passing for 320 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions; TeShaun Lane had 110 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns with one fumble for a loss; Lane added 45 yards on six pass receptions; Luke Price caught seven passes for 151 yards and a touchdown; Red Williams caught three passes for 79 yards and a touchdown; Ellison Rourke caught four passes for 31 yards and a touchdown; and Michael Minges caught two passes for 14 yards.
On defense, Thomas Evans made 11 tackles, four assists; Luke Price made nine tackles, four assists, and a blocked kick; Mathew Price and Ellison Rourke made five tackles, three assists each; Tyquan Crosland and David Williams made four tackles, three assists each; Samuel Brown and Michael Minges made three tackles, two assists each; Red Williams, Jake Boykin, and Douglas Bullock made two tackles, two assists each; Jesse Miller added a tackle; and Connor Hamilton made two assists.
Dillon Christian School had one of its largest crowds in attendance Friday night and expects another good showing this Friday as they play for home field advantage in the playoffs against a very good Holly Hill Academy team. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Photos by Craig Brown. Click the images below to view at full size!
