Blazers Fall Short at Sherwood
Sandy Spring, MD - As the rain came down at Sherwood High School on Thursday night, the Warriors and the Blazers squared off in one of just two county game played on Thursday night. When the storm cleared, Sherwood would earn a 27-22 victory over Blair, their first of the young season and the first of Sherwood Head Coach Chris Grier's short career.
"We weren't short on opportunities," said Blair head coach Andrew Fields. "When you turn the ball over and don't stop the run, you are putting yourself in a position to lose. No matter the level, that is not the formula to win."
The Blazers were not without ample opportunity, however. After Sherwood got on the board in the first quarter with a 50 yard run by Sherwood's Elijiah Spottswood, Blair would respond with a 13 play, 80-yard drive, capped by a Raymond Burtnick (13-28, 170 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT) to Malcolm Williams (5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD) 5 yard touchdown reception. After lining up to kick the extra point, Sherwood was called for a neutral zone infraction, prompting the Blazers to go for two-points. Darron Cumberbatch (14 rushes, 77 yards) would find paydirt and the Blazers would take an 8-7 lead into halftime.
Mistakes would take their toll in the third quarter, as the Blazers turned the ball over twice in the first 4 plays of the second half, and Sherwood would capitalize on both with two Spottswood touchdowns, taking a quick 20-8 lead.just three minutes into the second half.
Blair would not go away, however. Darrell Blue (3 receptions, 44 yards, TD) and DJ Anderson (1 reception 37 yards, 1 TD) would both score quick touchdowns, and Yonis Blanco would block a Warrior punt to pull with 5 points. However, their heroics were simply not enough, as Sherwood receovered the onsides kick and ran the clock out.
Montgomery Blair will host cross-town rival Northwood Gladiators on Saturday, September 21 for the Annual "Battle of the Boulevard." The day will be underscored by Blair's first annual "Staff Appreciation Day".
"We weren't short on opportunities," said Blair head coach Andrew Fields. "When you turn the ball over and don't stop the run, you are putting yourself in a position to lose. No matter the level, that is not the formula to win."
The Blazers were not without ample opportunity, however. After Sherwood got on the board in the first quarter with a 50 yard run by Sherwood's Elijiah Spottswood, Blair would respond with a 13 play, 80-yard drive, capped by a Raymond Burtnick (13-28, 170 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT) to Malcolm Williams (5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD) 5 yard touchdown reception. After lining up to kick the extra point, Sherwood was called for a neutral zone infraction, prompting the Blazers to go for two-points. Darron Cumberbatch (14 rushes, 77 yards) would find paydirt and the Blazers would take an 8-7 lead into halftime.
Mistakes would take their toll in the third quarter, as the Blazers turned the ball over twice in the first 4 plays of the second half, and Sherwood would capitalize on both with two Spottswood touchdowns, taking a quick 20-8 lead.just three minutes into the second half.
Blair would not go away, however. Darrell Blue (3 receptions, 44 yards, TD) and DJ Anderson (1 reception 37 yards, 1 TD) would both score quick touchdowns, and Yonis Blanco would block a Warrior punt to pull with 5 points. However, their heroics were simply not enough, as Sherwood receovered the onsides kick and ran the clock out.
Montgomery Blair will host cross-town rival Northwood Gladiators on Saturday, September 21 for the Annual "Battle of the Boulevard." The day will be underscored by Blair's first annual "Staff Appreciation Day".