By DAVE YATES
You would think that if a team had run 69 offensive plays through three quarters they would be running away with things.
You would think that if they held the other team to no first downs in the first half that they would have the game in the bag.
Well, think again.
The Eastridge Lancers dominated in just about every category against Brockport on Friday night but weren’t able to rest easy until late in the fourth quarter of a 25-14 win. With the win Eastridge improved to 1-1 and dropped the Blue Devils to 0-2.
Eastridge came out of the blocks in a hurry, taking their opening drive and capping it off when Gunner Lattimore connected with a leaping Tony Arnold to take an early 6-0 lead.
But after that is was a case of close but no cigar for the Lancers. They spent plenty of time in Brockport territory the rest of the half but couldn’t finish anything off, thanks in large part to three missed field goals.
Brockport on the other hand was having no success on offense. They were constantly frustrated by an Eastridge defense that didn’t let them get a first down, much less cross midfield.
In spite of that, it was still only 6-0 at halftime and still anyone’s game.
Eastridge’s first possession of the second half ended the same way they wrapped up the first one of the game-in the end zone. This one was courtesy of some big plays by a couple of Lancer playmakers. Facing a 3rd and 20- Sher’ron Davis converted when he hooked up with Jalen Rose Hannah. Then on fourth and four it was that combination again, this time for a 22 yard touchdown and it was a 12-0 game.
It stayed that way until the fourth quarte. After stopping the Lancers on fourth down at midfield on their next possession, Brockport’s offense found their rhythm and would find the end zone. Kyle Palka connected with his favorite target on the night Jose Solis over the middle from 23 yard and it was a 12-7 game.
The Lancers answered right away. Davis doing a lot of the work on the ground and Hannah finishing it off with a short run to make it 19-7. He would wrap the night up with 31 yards rushing and five catches for 69 yards.
But Brockport wasn’t done. They marched back down and the combination of Palka and Solis clicked again on ten yard toss to make it 19-14.
But Eastridge was able to put this one to rest thanks to their leading rusher. Facing a third and three Matthew Brantley put the finishing touches on a 131 yard performance by busting through the right side of the line and going 46 yards to the end zone.
Any hopes of a fantastic finish for Brockport were put to bed by Koby Jones. The Lancer DB who recovered a fumble earlier in the game came up with an interception with just over 2 minutes to play to close it out.
Eastridge is home again next Friday when they host Canandaigua while Brockport will be looking for their first win against Brighton.
Eastridge Stats:
SherRon Davis: 8/12 -88 yards – 1TD PASSING / 19 carries – 130 yards RUSHING
Matthew Brantley: 16 carries – 130 yards – 1 TD RUSHING
Jalen Rose Hannah: 3 carries – 31 yards – 1 TD RUSHING / 5 receptions – 69 yards – 1 TD RECEIVING
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