-photos courtesy of Gracie Kupfer and Aubrey Bender-
Patapsco got its first win of the year as their defense held strong with three turnovers in a 16-13 home victory over Sparrows Point Saturday.
The Pointers were able to move the ball on Patapsco as quarterback junior Maceo Hardnett connected with Logan Alderson and Peyton Stevens on pass plays. Pointer running back Mike Maynor broke off some big runs but three drives resulted in turnovers.
Patapsco cornerback Dashon Matthews had an interception near the Patriot goal line. Nick Adkins also had an interception for Patapsco that setup a scoring drive.
-Dashon Matthews scores on a second-point conversion. He also had an interception-.
Patapsco forced their third and final turnover in the closing minutes as senior Brandon Tuck recovered a fumble to seal the game.
“Our defense played lights out only allowing one touchdown all day and 100 yards of total offense for Sparrows Point. Semaj Moyd led the way on defense making tackle after tackle and getting everyone else lined up correctly on each play,” Patapsco coach Tyler Clough said after the game.
The Pointers would score their only offensive touchdown in the second quarter after a Patriot turnover as Hardnett ran in for a four-yard touchdown.
Sparrows Point kicker/Defender Davison Naylor tried to take over in the beginning of the third quarter. He pinned Patapsco deep on the second half kickoff. Then he nearly made a 43 yard field goal after the Pointer defense forced a punt. After the field goal miss, Naylor came back next series on defense and returned an Patriot Interception return for a 25 yard touchdown.
Patapsco quarterback Wyatt Perry threw the interception but bounced back to lead the Patriots on a scoring drive. He connected with Adkins three times, including a touchdown pass for the go ahead score.
Patapsco defense held Sparrows Point to under 100 yards of offense.
Semaj Moyd lead the Patriots in rushing. He broke off a 20-yard run to setup his 1-yard touchdown run. Patapsco made both of its two-point conversions in the 16-13 win.
Sparrows Point is 2-2 and host Pikesville on Friday. Patapsco improves to 1-3 and plays at Chesapeake next Saturday.
“This win was extremely important. Three of our first four games have come down to a one score game and it was time we were able to pull out a victory,” Clough explained. “Hopefully this win can be the catalyst for our season and we can have some positive momentum going into Chesapeake.”
Benjamin Joesph has covered news in Eastern Baltimore County since 2006. He started as a reporter with the original East County Times in 2006. He started East Baltco News and later Eastcountytimes.com in 2022.
