By Brian Pitts
sports@salisburypost.com
It won’t go down as one of Davie’s most impressive performances.
The War Eagles showed signs of an emotional hangover from Monday’s 38-34 loss at Thomasville, facing deficits of 7-0 and 13-11 in the first half, and their patched-up defense struggled throughout.
The host War Eagles (3-1) managed to pull away from Providence Day, 38-20, because of their depth at running back. Star runner James Mayfield remained out with a shoulder injury. Linebacker Jared Barber was out with his own shoulder injury. Eight hours before game time, twin brother and backup running back Jacob Barber suffered two broken toes when a weight fell off the rack and smashed his foot.
So Skeeter Montgomery was moved from receiver to running back, where he
dominated for the ’07 JV. Montgomery was splendid after getting four carries in the first three games: 205 yards on 19 carries and four touchdowns. Jacob
Vernon was efficient with 75 yards on 11 runs.
Montgomery’s second attempt ó an 87-yard score ó turned the game and erased the Chargers’ 7-3 lead.
“He’s got that burst to get to the edge,” Davie coach Doug Illing said. “Until we can get our starters back, these guys have to continue to pick up the slack. Because of injuries, we needed to move him back.”
It was an unimpressive night for Davie’s defense. The Chargers (2-2) scored on the game’s fourth play on a 60-yard pass from Gary Scott to Blake Wylie. They regained the lead at 13-11 by marching 71 yards. Joe Watson’s amazing 29-yard catch in which he left his feet and cradled the ball with one hand propelled Davie toward a 17-13 halftime lead. While Providence Day didn’t challenge Davie in the second half, their numbers put a damper on Davie’s win.
The Chargers had more first downs (22-21) and yards (488-455). Scott nickel and dimed his way to 321 yards on 18 of 38 passing. The spunky lefty connected with eight receivers.
Davie QB Zach Illing’s numbers were the lowest of the year (9 of 20, 140 yards), but you couldn’t blame Illing. His receivers had five drops.
Davie’s first-half struggle had Bruce Hardin’s imprints all over it. Hardin, one of the state’s elite coaches, is in his first year at Providence Day.
“We knew they were going to be a well-prepared team,” he said. “They were a team we were going to have to beat. They weren’t going to beat themselves.
They’re going to do things fundamentally right. They’re going to make you defend different formations. So we’re fortunate to get out of here with a win.”