The Locker Room
by Jeff Wolfe

Lancers Get Revenge

BOX SCORE

9/5/98 - The Lancers avenged their worst defeat of last year’s season by defeating Pulaski County Friday night, winning 19-7 in Amherst. Two of their three touchdowns came from long runs, the first on the second play from scrimmage, the other on their first play of the second half. Seneca Sandidge had his way all night on offense and defense for the Lancers. He dominated the game like a player that is ready to leave the VHSL and start as a true freshman in Division I NCAA.

Pulaski County’s Kwasi Scott began to favor one leg over the other during the game, and his leadership as a playmaker was diminished as a result. Freshman Josh Calfee filled in for him with feisty enthusiasm on offense as he received treatment on the sideline, but an effective temporary replacement at safety was not seen.

Travis Roop found sure receiving hands in Scott, Jeff King, and Marc Fitzwater, but would get sacked by Sandidge if he had the ball more than 4 seconds.

Amherst scored on a long run from scrimmage to open the game, only 45 seconds into it.

The PAT was good for a quick 7-0 lead.

Cougar senior David Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff to the 40 yard line. A few plays later Roop rolled left and passed to King for a 15 yard gain and first down. After driving to within the Amherst 20 yard line, a 4th and 1 situation brought on the field goal unit, but Cameron Ashworth’s attempt was blocked.

Amherst had the ball three plays and then punted. PC ran three plays and returned the ball with a 54 yard punt by Bobby Peaslee.

Amherst moved the ball easily as the Lancer’s Sandidge carried the ball around the left side for a 15 yard gain. A facemask penalty on PC added 15 yards. Trae Tolliver carried the ball for a 10 yard gain. The Cougar defense tightened a little as Adam Brockmeyer limited Tolliver to only a 5 yard gain. PC’s William Hale came up from his right corner spot to tackle Sandidge and knock the ball loose for the Cougars to recover.

The Cougars began to drive with a 4 yard carry by Brandon Miller. Scott carried for 3 and then 1 yard on consecutive plays to move the chains. Two plays later Roop rolled left and turned back to throw right two an incredibly wide open Scott who rambled to the Lancer 20 yard line. Miller carried for 4 more yards to end the first quarter. Roop was then sacked on two consecutive plays by Sandidge. The second sack caused a fumble that Amherst recovered.

All night Amherst would pitch to the third of three backs who would run laterally to try to turn the corner. The Lancers tried their end around play here but it was met with its greatest resistance of the night. Hale came up from corner to take on the lead blocker, stopping the flow of the play for Miller and Jarrett Porter to clobber Kerry McPherson for a 3 yard loss. Several plays later Amherst fumbled the ball back to the Cougars.

Scott began limping, so PC head coach Joel Hicks sent in Calfee to play tailback. Calfee was tenacious, and turned several short dives into moderate gains, seemingly on determination alone. He carried for 5 tough yards. Then Miller carried for 6 yards to move the chains. Giving to Miller again added 5 more. Calfee carried for two, then Miller for 3 and another first down. Scott returned for a 2 yard gain. The criss cross play gained a first at the 15 yard line. Miller pushed through the middle for 3. Frank Cobbs, Jr. carried the criss cross to bring up a first and goal. Miller scored on a tense 4th and goal from the 1 yard line for the Cougar’s only score of the night. Ashworth’s PAT was good, and the score was even again at 7-7.

After receiving the kickoff, Amherst took to the air to move quickly before the half expired.

After several moderate gains on receptions, the bomb was thrown deep down the right hash mark.

Scott was standing in position, waiting and intercepted, but it was nullified as either he or Calfee was called for pass interference. It seemed like a clean play from the stands, and the adults on the sidelines were visibly upset about the call. A well respected community leader for the last 20 years in Pulaski County took special time to come closer to the track and gesture to the Cougar fans, encouraging them to raise their voices concerning the matter. For these fans it seemed to be an appropriate time to recall aloud the age old rhymes and chants concerning people that wear striped uniforms. However, the penalty call was not changed.

Amherst managed one more play before time expired in the half.

Calfee returned the kickoff of the second half. Scott added 2 yards, Porter contributed 5, Miller was held to no gain, and Peaslee came on for a great 54 yard punt.

To open the second half offense for the Lancers, Tolliver carried around the left end and was gone, posting a 94 yard touchdown for his team. The PAT failed, but the Lancers lead 13-7.

Robinson fielded the kickoff for the Cougars and carried to the 21 before being stuck hard by a crowd of Lancers. Roop rolled left to pass, and Sandidge was there, so he pivoted right and ran deeper right into his own territory, earning some of it back before being sacked. There were questions raised about a facemask violation on Amherst, but no sympathetic yellow hankies were seen. Peaslee was soon seen punting.

The Cougar defense was tight for two plays. On 3rd and 14 Lancer QB Chris Carpenter rolled left and carried for a 20 yard gain and first down to end the third quarter. Amherst scored a rushing TD a few plays later. The defense was left staring at the middle of the field at a fake as a group of Lancers practically walked into the end zone around the right flat. A two point conversion run was short, and the scoreboard showed Lancers ahead 19-7.

The Cougar’s started on a slow drive, gaining two first downs after many short carries. Four plays later Scott carried for 4 yards to get a 4th down conversion. Sandidge seemed unblockable as he ran wide around the left side of the Cougar line to sack Roop again. Roop connected with Fitzwater for a 7 yard gain. A long 4th down became the last real play of the game, as the ball went over to Amherst on downs. The kneel down play was run three times before time expired.

BOX SCORE

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