War Eagles fly by Trojans
By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
Oct. 9, 2004
Wayne County exploded for three touchdowns in the third quarter to roll past Northeast Lauderdale 42-7 Friday night in prep football action.
The War Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the state, upped their record to 7-0. The Trojans dropped to 2-4, but not without a fight. Northeast Lauderdale only trailed 14-7 at halftime and were hanging in with Wayne County until a series of turnovers and miscues early in the third quarter.
The War Eagles got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when quarterback Drexler Johnson connected with Montrell Powe on a 34-yard touchdown pass play. Brandon Sellers kicked the extra point and Wayne County led 7-0 with 3:33 left in the first quarter.
Wayne County scored again on its next possession that started late in the first quarter. The War Eagles took the ball on their 20-yard line following a punt, and drove it 80 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown. DeMarco Moore scored on an eight-yard run with 8:39 left in the second quarter. Sellers' kick was true and Wayne County led 14-0.
Interestingly, Northeast Lauderdale's touchdown was set up by a Wayne County interception. Kennard Arrington got in front of a Northeast Lauderdale receiver and picked the ball off as he fell out of bounds on the Wayne County one-foot line. The War Eagles tried to fight their way out of their end zone. But on third down, a pass was deflected and Northeast Lauderdale's Raymond Johnson intercepted the ball, giving the Trojans a first down on the Wayne County 11.
Northeast Lauderdale ran three plays without much success. Then on fourth down, Maurice Langston found Marquese Sillimon in the end zone for a six-yard TD pass play. Jason White booted the extra point and Wayne County led by seven, 14-7, with 2:34 left in the second quarter.
Any thoughts of a Northeast Lauderdale upset were quickly dashed in the third quarter.
Northeast took the second half kickoff, but was forced to punt on fourth down. The snap to the punter was bad and Wayne County took over on the Trojans' 10-yard line. Three plays later, DeMarco Moore busted into the end zone for a touchdown. Sellers' kick was good and Wayne County led 21-7 with 9:24 left in the third quarter.
Northeast Lauderdale took the kickoff and fumbled three plays later. Byron Wilson recovered for Wayne County, giving the War Eagles the ball on the Northeast 34-yard line. On the next play, Marcus Jones scored on a 34-yard blast through the Northeast Lauderdale defense. Sellers kicked the extra point and Wayne County led 287 with 7:17 left in the third quarter.
Wayne County held Northeast Lauderdale to four downs following the kickoff and took over on the Northeast Lauderdale 43. On second down, Jones broke for a 43-yard scoring run. Sellers kicked the extra point and Wayne County led 35-7 with 4:43 left in the third stanza.
The War Eagles' final score came late in the fourth quarter. Junior running back Arthur Everett ran the ball eight times in a row and hit pay dirt on the final carry for nine yards. Sellers' final kick was good.
Wayne County had a 17-10 edge in first downs, and a 376-104 edge in total yards. The War Eagles rushed for 264 yards on 32 carries, and completed nine of 17 passing attempts for 111 yards.
Northeast Lauderdale rushed for 60 yards on 33 carries, and completed six of 14 passing attempts for 44 yards.
Northeast Lauderdale visits Neshoba Central Friday night, while Wayne County hosts Mendenhall.
