NEA pounds Lawrence
Published 12:08 am Saturday, October 18, 2008
Northeast Academy unveiled some new plays and new faces made the highlight reel as the Eagles defeated Lawrence Academy 52-14 in front of a Homecoming crowd last night.
Northeast produced 500 total yards of offense, including 375 rushing yards. They were led by seniors Hunter Deloatch with 126 yards on seven carries and Brandon Futrell, who carried the ball 11 times for 101 yards.
The Eagles (8-1 overall, 4-0 in conference play) will play their final game of the regular season at conference rival Halifax Academy on Thursday.
Northeast set the game’s tone early as junior Jud Smith recovered a Lawrence fumble on the Warriors first possession. With Deloatch calling the plays the Eagles marched 73 yards, including a 47 yard run by Futrell, in four plays for their first score of the night. Deloatch covered the final 18 yards to paydirt then carried in the conversion for an 8-0 Northeast lead.
After forcing the Warriors to go four-and-out Northeast set up on their own 34 yard line. Futrell gained 15 yards on two carries before Deloatch broke through the line and sprinted 51 yards for the score. Deloatch’s conversion run gave the Eagles a 16-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Northeast started the second quarter with Jay Baugham under center.
Baugham connected with Buddy Brown for 14 yards and a first down. Futrell took the handoff for nine yards then two plays later ran the final four to the endzone. The conversion run failed as the Eagles stretched their lead to 22.
Both teams were whistled for costly penalties on the next series.
Lawrence had a 50-yard gain negated after being whistled for holding and Deloatch’s punt return for a score was called back when the Eagles were penalized for a block in the back.
The Eagles didn’t let the penalty slow them down. After small gains Baugham connected with Russ Flythe for seven yards. Deloatch then scored his third touchdown of the night, a 37-yard run. Offensive guard Wesley Bryant carried in the conversion for a 30-0 Northeast lead at the half.
Lawrence’s Sam Mitchell kicked off to start the second half and sophomore James Pope returned the kick 75 yards, scoring his first varsity touchdown.
Bryant muscled in for the two-point conversion.
Shane Leggett returned Smith’s kickoff 14 yards to the Warriors 30 yard line.
Lawrence drove downfield, including a 17 yard catch by Leggett and an 11 yard run by Keith Thompson. Josh Rose sacked Blake Hill then tackled Thompson for a loss. After an incomplete pass the Warriors punted but the Eagles were whistled for roughing the kicker, giving Lawrence possession and a first down on the Northeast 36 yard line. Two plays later Blake Hill passed to Leggett, who shook off the defender and raced 33 yards for the Lawrence score. Scott Edge caught Hill’s pass for the two-point conversion as the Warriors got on the scoreboard, 38-8.
Lawrence’s defense held the Eagles to fourth and long but Northeast faked the punt and Arch Harrell carried the ball eight yards for the first down.
Harrell added another 20 yards and Deloatch’s seven yard carry put the ball on the Warriors’ twenty yard line. Pope took the handoff from Brad Johnson, one of several junior varsity players that saw action in the game, and raced the final 20 yards for the score. The conversion run failed as the Eagles extended their lead, 44-8, heading into the fourth quarter.
On the first play of the fourth Pope intercepted Hill’s pass. On the next play he took the handoff from Johnson to the right before cutting back to the left and racing 52 yards for the touchdown. Pope carried in the conversion for a 52-8 Eagles lead.
Lawrence found the end zone again as Edge took Hill’s pass 31 yards for the score, capping a nine play, 65-yard drive. The conversion pass was broken up by Pope as Northeast took the win, 52-14.
The Warriors were led by Thompson with 52 yards on 15 carries. Hill passed for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Lawrence will play their final game of the season at home next week against Parrott.