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Defensive tackle Sidney Blue (72) celebrates after stopping a Courtland running play
Massaponax QB Sean Campbell breaks free for a big gain |
One of the goals of any high school football team is to get better each week.
For coach Eric Ludden and the Massaponax Panthers, the improvement started three weeks ago in the preseason and has been building ever since.
Last night, the fast-starting Panthers came out firing on all cylinders and rolled to a 49-20 nondistrict victory over Courtland.
It was the second win in a row for Massaponax, which ran by Spotsylvania 49-13 in last week's season opener. They piled up 295 yards in that contest and followed that with 337 against the Cougars last night.
"We've got a lot of young players, but they're really buying into what we're trying to do," Ludden said. "I saw the improvement start in our scrimmage with Liberty, then against Spotsylvania and tonight."
A monster first quarter started the avalanche of first-half points, as the Panthers sprinted to a 35-0 lead.
The offense, defense and special team were all big factors in the big lead.
The running game, which performed effectively last week against Spotsylvania, looked like it had ironed out some wrinkles.
Quarterback Sean Campbell and halfback De Andre Houston-Carson, picked up where they left off last week and led a balanced attack.
Campbell led all rushers with 106 yards and looked confident in his second start behind center. He also threw a 15-yard TD pass to E.J. Green.
Houston-Carson added 86 yards and a pair of touchdown runs. Junior fullback Kris Hurt showed his toughness with three bruising scoring runs.
"We were really focused this week," Campbell said. "The line did a heck of a job opening some huge holes."
Kicker Ryan Samuel was another bright spot with his booming kickoffs that pinned Courtland deep.
The Cougars (0-1) struggled early, but put together three scoring drives. Fullback Kirk Wilson scored twice on short runs, and new quarterback Nick Zaluzney connected with E.J. Green for a 15-yard TD pass.
"Not having a game under our belt hurt," Courtland coach J.C. Hall said. "But we'll be OK. We've been o-3 before and gotten a good run."
Courtland | 0 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -- | 20 |
Massaponax | 28 | 14 | 7 | 0 | -- | 49 |
First Quarter
Ma--K. Hurt 7-yard run (R. Samuels kick).
Ma--S. Campbell 1-yard run (R. Samuels kick).
Ma--D. Houston-Carson 36-yard run (R. Samuels kick).
Ma--K. Hurt 10-yard run (R. Samuels kick).
Second Quarter
Ma--D. Houston-Carson 7-yard run (R. Samuels kick).
Ct--E. Green 15-yard pass from N. Zaluzney (run failed).
Ma--B. White 32-yard pass from S. Campbell (R. Samuels kick).
Third Quarter
Ma--K. Hurt 19-yard run (R. Samuels kick).
Fourth Quarter
Ct--K. Wilson 1-yard run (A. Cimini kick).
Ct--K. Wilson 5-yard run (A. Cimini kick).
TEAMSTATISTICS
Ct | Ma |
First downs12 | 16 |
Rushing yardage26-132 | 45-337 |
Passing yardage116 | 30 |
Passes8-18-1 | 2-3-0 |
Punts-Avg.4-27.2 | 1-32 |
Fumbles-lost1-1 | 2-0 |
Penalties-yards 3-22 | 7-60 |
INDIVIDUALSTATISTICS
Rushing: Courtland--Kirk Wilson 12-61, 2TDs; Michael Bailey 4-31; Maha Williams 7-24; James Winkey 1-7; Nick Zaluzney 1-5; Hunter Wendt 1-4. Massaponax--Sean Campbell 9-106, TD; DeAndre Houston-Carson 8-86, 2TDs; B.J. Karp 2-57; Kris Hurt 10-54, 3TDs; Tyler Nimon 1-37; Delante Jefferies 3-9; Javonte Latney 2-6; Nick Santiso 1-3; A.J. Coleman 1-0; Derek Gee 3-(-2); Zach Sims 1-(-4); Mason Sherry 4-(-15).Passing: Courtland--Nick Zaluzney 8-18-1 116, TD. Massaponax--Sean Campbell 2-3-0 30, TD.
Receiving: Courtland--E.J. Green 2-44, TD; Wahid Moore 1-35; Hunter Wendt 2-23; Demetree Wiley 1-8; Kirk Wilson 1-4; Michael Bailey 1-2. Massaponax--Ben White 1-32, TD; DeAndre Houston-Carson 1-(-2).
Steve Franzello: 540/374-5440
Email: sports@freelancestar.com
COURTLAND 20
