The Huddle: Coach Demetris Royal's local football highlights - The Yellow Jackets get stung by the Salisbury Hornets
On October 18th, the Lexington Yellow Jackets fresh off of a 35-16 win against West Davidson traveled to Salisbury to take on the 7-1 Salisbury Hornets for first place in the 1a/2a Central Conference. The Jackets would receive the opening kickoff of the game only to fumble on the return, giving the Hornets possession of the ball deep in Jackets territory. With backs against the wall, the Jackets defense stood strong and stopped the Hornets on a 4th down to get the ball back. Unfortunately a stalled offense found the Jackets with a 3rd and out looking to punt on a 4th down. The punt attempt was blocked by the Hornets and to add salt to the wound, the Hornets were able to get a safety from it making the game 2-0.
The Hornets next possession after the punt back to them saw a big run, giving the Hornets an excellent field position. Lexington‘s Kamari McDonald and Rahzel Ewart had big stops on the drive that forced a turnover on downs giving the Jackets the ball back. The Jackets offense couldn’t make any noise, once again leading to a Jackets punt giving the Hornets possession. The Hornets broke out a big pass play on 3rd down stopping Lexington momentum. The Jackets got lucky when a holding penalty was called on the Hornets bringing back a touchdown run. On the very next play, the Hornets went to the air to add to their lead with a touchdown pass. An extra point would have the Hornets up 9-0 with 3:47 left in the lengthy 1st quarter.
The Hornet's kicker would then place the kickoff in the end zone leading to a touchback. Ewart would warm the Jackets up with a big first down catch moving the chains. Under pressure, the Jackets would see the Hornets not only get an interception but add another touchdown with the return. The Jackets down but not out would end the quarter down 16-0 after another 3 and out punt to the Hornets.
Peja Ellis and K’brian Robinson had big stops for the Jackets on the Hornet's next drive, the Jackets would be flagged for passing interference, moving the Hornets up and giving them a first down yet again. Ewart came up big again a few plays later for the Jackets with a sack, giving the Jackets the ball back after turnover on downs. The Jackets caught a break when the Hornets were flagged for a personal foul giving the Jackets a first down and better field position. McDonald added another catch to his night and a first down for the Jackets. The Jackets, now picking up steam, were also able to advance further from a face mask flag on the Hornets. Ewart had another snag for the Jackets giving them a first down on the drive. Shortly after that the offense would stall out again, forcing the Jackets to punt once more with 6 minutes left until halftime.
Ewart stepping up big for the Jackets broke on a Hornet’s pass and caught an interception that he took to the house in a much needed score for the Jackets. Feeling good, the Jackets hit the Hornets with a trick play to convert a 2 pt conversion, having McDonald run it in with ease. At this point the score is 16-8, with the Jackets still behind and 5:33 left in the half.
Dale Clodfelter and Kaedyn Thomas-Hearst started the kickoff right with a joint tackle getting the crowd hype. Zakri Plush came up big on the drive with a tackle helping the cause and forcing the Hornets to punt back to the Jackets. The Jackets couldn’t do anything on the next possession and ended up giving the ball right back to the Hornets. The Hornets would take advantage of the opportunity and put points on the board with another touchdown pass to end the half ahead 23-8.
The Jackets would start the 2nd half with a kickoff to the Hornets. K’Brian Robinson came up big with a fumble recovery and big return for the Jackets giving them life to start the 2nd half. Ewart had another big catch to add to his collection, moving the chains for Jackets. Jaylen Henderson ran a quarterback sneak to find the end zone. The Jackets would line up for an extra point but wouldn’t kick, instead handing the ball off to senior kicker Hugo “Golden Toe” to convert a 2 point conversion catching the Hornets by surprise. This set the game at 23-16 with 4:31 left in the 3rd.
The Jackets defense stepped up again, as the Hornets had another 3 and out with a punt back to the Jackets. On the next drive Ewart continued to put the team on back with two big catches but it wouldn’t be enough as the Hornets ended back with the ball and still holding on to the lead. With 6 minutes left the Hornets went to air and found another touchdown deflating the Jackets' hopes. The Jackets offense wasn’t able to do anything with their next possession. The Hornets closed the curtain with another touchdown pass making it. 37-16 with 2:23 left in the game. This would be the final score as the Jackets had to leave with a devastating loss to the Salisbury Hornets.
My Take:
The Jackets faced the toughest team this season and the Hornets certainly came to play. The Jackets came out slow on the offense, which has been a problem that the Jackets seemed to have been faced with in previous seasons, when facing good teams. A well coached Salisbury team with depth and size was a big mountain to climb for the Jackets. Defense held strong for the majority of the game but bad field position, limited depth and offense who were faced with a top defense in Salisbury were a tough fight. The Jackets run game that's been bread and butter was nonexistent. The Jackets offensive line couldn't get a push or create holes against a strong Hornets “D” line. The Jacket’s pass game struggled as well and there weren't as many lightning plays that the Jacket fans are accustomed to seeing. Flags, a hard to bring down running back, along with a quarterback who had time to move around and find open receivers would be the Jackets' demise. Next Friday the Jackets will look to send their senior players out on a good note as they host North Rowan and Senior Night. With two games left in the season and after tonight’s loss, the Jackets showed it’s a lot of playoff hope with adjustments and hard work.
My MVP:
Rahzel Ewart and the Jacket’s defense
