|
|
|
Roll in 2001 Opener |
Seaford 30, Nandua (Va.) 6 Photo: Tight end and linebacker John Wheatley (top) and quarterback Nick Pegelow (below). The Blue Jays hit full stride in the second half of the season-opening nonconference triumph.
Seaford's defense, keyed by middle linebacker John Wheatley, made some big plays in the red zone against Nandua to give the offense time to click, including a first period stand after a Nandua defender intercepted a pass and appeared headed for the end zone only to be tracked down by Seaford fullback Brian Batson at the Seaford 15. The defense held Nandua on three plays and a missed field goal and the Blue Jay offense responded with an 80-yard drive for White's touchdown. "We played really well on defense," said Seaford head coach Ron Dickerson. "They had some plays inside the red zone a couple of different times and we made some big defensive plays." The offense got going in the second half behind a balanced attack featuring quarterback Nick Pegelow and White and Batson. Pegelow completed 4 of 7 passes for 118 yards, including a 54-yard scoring strike to Wheatley, a tight end. Wheatley caught a 40-yard pass on the same play on the drive before to set up a 13-yard TD run by Batson.
Dickerson said he changed his team's offensive schemes at halftime to take advantage of Nandua's reaction to the Blue Jays' motion. "Some of their adjustments to our motion opened up some passing lanes," said Dickerson. "We thought that if we could get some receivers to run good patterns and catch the ball this year that Nick would get the ball there. He's very good at quarterback and throws a nice, catchable pass. With Aaron and Brian behind him in the backfield, we hope to offset some defenses." The Blue Jays outgained Nandua 362-184 in total offense and compiled 14 first downs to Nandua's 6. Dunk, who kicks field goals and kickoffs with his right foot and punts with his left foot, booted three punts for a 40.6 yard average including a 62-yarder that was downed at the Nandua 2. The Blue Jays travel to Cape Henlopen for a nonconference game on Friday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Cape lost to Archmere, 12-6, in its season-opener on Saturday, Sept. 15. "I don't think that game indicates the kind of season Cape is going to have," said Dickerson, who scouted the contest. "Cape has some outstanding athletes, but Archmere is still a well-drilled team that doesn't make mistakes and that was the case today. Cape is a very good team and plays good defense. I'm not sure Archmere even had positive yardage in the second half." Fall 2001 Index | Seaford Index | Sports Index |
|
|
Copyright © 1999-2001 Sussex County Online |
Leading 10-0 at halftime on a 2-yard run by running back Aaron White and a 34-yard field goal by kicker Nick Dunk, the Jays upped the lead to 24-0 in the third period before Nandua could get on the board.
White, meanwhile, ran for 131 of Seaford's 238 rushing yards on 21 carries, and Batson gained 85 more yards on 11 carries. Batson also scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth period.