North Point runs through Leonardtown

Six different Eagles score touchdowns to keep undefeated SMAC record intact

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN North Point running back Connor Crowell plows over Leonardtown's Devin Skinner in the second quarter. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

On the first offensive play of the game, North Point quarterback Daniel Dempsey threw an interception, a sign that Leonardtown fans were hoping would be a good omen of things to come.

Unfortunately, that would be one of only a few mistakes the Eagles would commit on Friday night in Leonardtown, as North Point (5-1, 5-0 SMAC) turned its focus to the running game and left with a dominating 48-0 victory.

"We had a couple of tough weeks in a row and we came down here and knew they were going to give us everything they had," North Point head coach Ken Lane said. "We knew we probably had more team speed than they had, but they had some nice players too. … We ran the ball well and we're happy just coming out and playing tough football."

After that first play, the Eagles ran the ball 12 consecutive plays en route to 326 total rushing yards on the night on 31 attempts. Six of North Point's seven touchdowns were scored via the rush and six different players scored touchdowns, led by senior Dalante Thompson who finished with two touchdowns and 168 yards on only 12 carries.

"I'm proud of my team," North Point quarterback Ja'Ron Neal said. "We worked hard this week. We came out a little bit sluggish in the first half, but we picked it up in the second half."

While North Point earned the victory on the ground, the most impressive play of the night came from one of its few passes.

Up 7-0 midway through the second quarter, Neal tossed a screen pass to Quentin Walker at the Leonardtown 29-yard line.

Walker made several sensational moves to break four Leonardtown tackles before gliding into the end zone to give North Point its second touchdown of the night.

"He's an athlete," Lane said of Neal. "He's very good with the ball in the open field. For the most part, he makes good decisions when we run the option and you have to have that in a quarterback if you run the option."

One area of concern for the Eagles was their penalties. North Point had eight penalties for 48 yards, seven of which came in the first half. Coaches and players believe the penalties held the team back in the first half and said the lead could have been greater than 14-0 entering halftime.

"It's held us back in a couple of games this year," Lane said. "It's something we're focusing on and I told the guys the mental mistakes and penalties hold you back so much. … We try to reiterate to them how important it is to be a smart football team."

For Leonardtown (1-5, 1-4), it was a crushing loss coming on the heels of a spirited victory over county rival Great Mills on Oct. 3.

The Raiders were without quarterback Will Pagliarulo, arguably the team's best passer, due to a broken toe he suffered in the team's final practice before Friday night's game. Pagliarulo's absence was part of the reason the Raiders –– known more for rushing than passing –– attempted only three passes in the game.

"I told the kids as they were walking off the field –– you have nothing to hang your head about," Leonardtown head coach Anthony Pratley said. "That's a good football team. They're 5-1 and beat Westlake. We hung with them for a half, but our offense couldn't move the ball and our defense was on the field too long. They just wore us out."

Still, Pratley decided to focus on the positives of the game, saying his team has shown signs of improvement. Quarterback Michael Copenhaver finished the night with 65 rushing yards on 14 carries, splitting the offensive load with running back Darren Reed who finished with 23 yards on 15 carries.

His team's improvement and its determination on the field left Pratley hopeful the Raiders will be able to pull out another win in its next game at Calvert on Thursday.

"I can't ask anymore out of our kids –– they played their butts off," Pratley said. "Some days you're just up against it. That team was impressive."

The win puts North Point in the driver's seat in the SMAC, the only team with an undefeated conference record. But the Eagles' next game may in fact decide the SMAC race –– a home contest Friday night against Lackey.

"Lackey is a great football team," Neal said. "I'm looking forward to that game. Hopefully, the winner of that game will be the winner of the conference. It's a big football game. We just have to come out next week, prepare and work really hard."

kpourmand@somdnews.com