MDHigh.com - Linganore survives turnovers, takes out TJ

October 31, 2009

Wayne Yarborough
MDHigh.com Recruiting Analyst

In a heated rivalry game that became a backyard brawl, the No. 2 Linganore Lancers (9-0), defeated the Thomas Johnson Patriots (5-4), 24-14, in a hard-hitting, turnover-filled, wild affair at TJ's Patriot Stadium.

"This was our toughest test to date," said Linganore coach Rick Conner. "TJ
is a very physical bunch, No one has come in here and scored 24 points on them
all year."

In the early going it looked like Linganore would put up much more than 24 points. They built a 17-0 first quarter lead in typical Lancer fashion: running the football behind their massive offensive line.

Linganore's first three points, however, were a gift courtesy of a shanked Patriots punt. The Lancers started inside the TJ red zone but failed to score a touchdown as the Patriots buckled down and forced a three-and-out. In came Lancers kicker Alex Eckard, who booted a 25-yard field goal.

After forcing TJ to punt, Linganore started its second possession at their own 48-yard line. On the very first play senior tailback Kevin Myers scampered around the left end for a 44-yard gain down to the TJ 8-yard line. Myers carried twice more, his second run enough to break the goal line and give Linganore a 10-0 lead with 3:53 left in the first quarter.

"I just kept pounding the ball behind our big line O-line and that All-American fullback [Zach Zwinak", said the 5-foot-6 , 155-pound Myers, who finished with 186 yars on 29 carries. "I mean, TJ's defense really played tough today, so we just had to grind and take what was there."

The Lancers got the ball right back after going up 10-0 courtesy of safety Nick Marth's interception. Marth returned the pick 41 yards, setting up the third Linganore score in the first quarter. After the pick, Myers took a handoff 18 yards to pay dirt, making it 17-0 as the first 12 minutes expired.

"The coaches really prepared us for this week." said Marth, who also doubles as the
Lancers quarterback. "We knew coming in that TJ had a lot of talent and they were
up for the challenge. But it feels good to come out on top with the victory."

In the second quarter TJ's defense seemed to rally. They dug in behind University of California-bound linebacker Nick Forbes, who had over a dozen tackles and two forced fumbles. Another major contributor was defensive end Jeff Bryan, who made numerous plays in the backfield. Forbes, Bryan and the rest of the Patriots defense had to step up because linebacker Jeremy Grove (East Carolina) hurt his knee and groin in the first quarter and was sidelined for the rest of the game.

Feeding off its defense, Thomas Johnson's offense got on track with short passes to tight end Evin Vannoy and deep balls to James Madison-bound receiver Marquis Woodyard. Woodyard almost delivered a momentum-changing series of catches, but they were nullified by penalties. First, he caught a 43-yard pass, but 15 yards were shaved off thanks to an unsportsmanlike penalty. Later he had an 85-yard score wiped away because of a holding call.

Linganore capitalized where Thomas Johnson couldn't.

"Linganore got to us early with their ground game," said Woodyard. "We really expected them to throw the ball to Ryan Dixon a lot more than they did" But I guess they really didn't have to throw since their ground game was working so well."

Following an interception by Lancers cornerback Michael Johnson in the final two minutes of the first half, Linganore took over at the TJ 31. However, Marth
was sacked on a third-down play, seemingly ending the drive. But TJ was called for holding and the Lancers continued downfield.

That last holding call drove Thomas Johnson's head coach Ben Wright over the edge. Wright went ballistic on the sideline and drew two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. During a conference with head official Chuck Engle, Wright questioned the calls and was tossed out of the game.

Meanwhile, Linganore bought out Eckard to attempt a chip-shot field goal, but his attempt missed. Thus Linganore had a 17-0 lead at the half.

"I got extremely frustrated with some of those game-changing calls," said Wright, who watched the second half under the score board in the end zone. ."But overall I think we played fairly well after that brutal initial first quarter onslaught. Linganore is a great team, probably the best public school in the state. But I give our kids a lot of credit for not quitting and fighting back."

TJ did indeed fight back in the second half. Linganore continued to run the ball effectively, but they could not land the knockout blow because of fumbles. The Lancers fumbled seven times during the game.

Penn State-bound fullback Zack Zwinak had 11 carries for 225 yards and a staggering 20.4 yard per carry average, but he coughed the ball up three times. Two of those fumbles came as he was about to cross the goal line. On one third-quarter play, Zwinak burst through for an 83-yard run, but he was tackled at the 5-yard line and lost the ball in the end zone.

The fumbles allowed TJ to stay in the game. With 10:00 left in the third quarter safety Richard Newman picked up a Lancer fumble at the Patriots 19-yard line and jetted 81 yards for a touchdown.

"I just picked up the ball and ran to day light," said Newman, who also had a first
half interception. The touchdown made the score 17-7.

But with 2:24 left in the third quarter Myers scored his third touchdown, giving Linganore a 24-7 lead. The drive covered 54 yards on 10 plays and was set up by a 29-yard run by Zwinak and a 17 yarder by Myers.

But Thomas Johnson scored again late in the fourth quarter when Forbes went up the middle for 16 yards, drawing TJ to within 24-14. Forbes finished with 85 yards on 11 carries.

But Linganore recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

"TJ is one [heck] of a team" said Zwinak " A very, very good team."

Linganore lineman Robby Havenstein echoed his teammate.

"They were really physical and gave us a great battle," he said.

Linganore faces rival Urbana (8-1) next week, while TJ will face cross-town foe Frederick (4-5). In order to make the playoffs, the Patriots need a victory.

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