Patapsco’s Nick Adkins and Chesapeake’s Malik Parker battled all day long. –photo courtesy of Rick Currier-
Patapsco used a goal line stand by their defense in the final minutes to win at Chesapeake 16-8 on Saturday.
Chesapeake’s defense was able to keep its team in the game by slowing down the Patapsco offense.
The Bayhawks forced quarterback Wyatt Perry into two turnovers in the first quarter. Senior captain Malik Parker had an interception and Jordan Hodges recovered a Perry fumble.
Chesapeake also stopped Patapsco at the goal line before halftime. Defensive End Akinyele Akinlonu had a sack for the Bayhawks.
The Patriots were up 8-0 at the half after John Martin blocked a punt to setup a short Perry touchdown pass.
Patapsco put together a complete drive on their final drive with running back Shamar Johnson on the ground. He had 74 yards on the afternoon and set up the game winning touchdown from Perry to receiver Wilson Smith.
Patapsco coach Tyler Clough is proud that Perry was able to bounce back from the two first half turnovers.
“Wyatt has been great all year and his really grown as a player and person. Earlier in the year when he’d turn the ball over he’d get discouraged, but he stayed with us and kept his head in the game,” Clough told Eastcountytimes.com.
“He led us down the field multiple times and finally at the end made play of the game to get us the win.”
Chesapeake’s offense couldn’t move the ball as Patapsco’s defense forced five Bayhawks punts in the first half.
Patapsco defense was led by Logan King’s four tackles and Ryker Harmon had three tackles.
The Bayhawks finally got on the board on the first drive in the second half. Running back Ryan Morales broke off a 30-yard run and later scored the only Chesapeake touchdown to tie the game at 8-8.
Chesapeake quarterback Dakari Noble led his team down field on the final drive. Noble connected with Chris Johnson Jr. on a 25-yard pass in the closing minutes but couldn’t tie the game.
“The defense did a great job at the end of the game just like they have all season They made the plays when they needed to and didn’t waver when adversity hit,” Clough said.
