by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
Finishing games has been a key Lee-Davis has yet to find this season.
A 13-0 lead against Hermitage turned into an eight-point loss. A one-point setback to Patrick Henry. Another eight-point defeat to Varina.
But the Confederates finalized the deal Friday night, defeating Henrico 29-15 behind running back
Tucker Walton.
The workhorse carried 26 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns, pounding out a punishing, ball-control running game that helped hold the Warriors (1-2, 2-5) to only 14 plays in the second half.
"It's all about the blocks," Walton said. "They led me. The holes were open. It's all about my line."
L-D tackles
Cory Thacker and
Jake Brent, guards
Matt Doty and
Keith Westcott and center
Brad Jones did a good job of holding on to their blocks to open lanes for Walton.
Walton scored from 10 yards out on Lee-Davis' first possession of the second half to take the lead for good. He converted the two-point conversion for a 23-15 advantage.
Henrico had a promising drive halted on fourth down, but L-D (2-1 Capital, 3-4) couldn't take advantage after a lengthy drive of its own.
But on the Warriors' next play, the snap out of the single wing was fumbled. Terrific linebacker
David Fetter recovered as L-D was in business at the Warriors' 19-yard line.
The last of three Walton runs gave the Confederates a lead they wouldn't relinquish this time.
"It's been hard losing close games," Fetter said. "We worked hard about finishing. The coaches put us in position, practicing to finish."
Brandon Angus got things started for the Confederates, booting a 37-yard field goal on L-D's first possession.
Two plays later he was at it again, this time at cornerback, intercepting a
Kelvin Otey pass intended for Ricky Rogers. He returned it 67 yards for a score, but later left the game with a shoulder injury.
Henrico's
Dequan "Wal-Mart" Martin answered on a 14-yard run.
Dylan Norvell's kick had Henrico trailing 9-7.
Martin was everywhere, especially defensively.
"He's a dynamite player," first-year Henrico coach
Roger Brookes said of Martin, a junior. "We ask him to do a lot. He makes a lot of plays. He's getting to be really good."
Both teams traded possessions, then L-D struck as QB
Will Burton had plenty of time to find
Kyle Worley open in the middle of the field for a 10-yard score.
But the Warriors responded, displaying a potent running attack of their own.
DeQuan "Rhino" Parrish (18 carries, 86 yards) and
Raquaam Smith (nine carries, 55 yards) ran the Warriors down field before Otey snuck in from one yard out. Parrish's two-point run tied the game at the half at 15.
That's when L-D finally found the finishing potion that Henrico couldn't.
"We didn't get it going in the second half," Brookes said. "Give them credit. They ran the ball well and we didn't adjust well, until it was too late."
Henrico 7 8 0 0 - 15
Lee-Davis 9 6 8 6 - 29
L-D - FG Angus 37
L-D - Angus 67 interception return (run failed)
H - Martin 10 run (Norvell kick)
L-D - Worley 10 pass from Burton (pass failed)
H - Otey 1 run (Parrish run)
L-D - Walton 12 run (Walton run)
L-D - Walton 5 run (run failed)
RUSHING
Henrico - Parrish 18 carries, 86 yards, Smith 9-55, Martin 1-14, Otey 9-7, 32 1-0, 9 1-0, 4 1-(minus 5);
Lee-Davis - Walton 26-174, Burton 8-59, Caleb Wyatt 4-8, Josh Rogodozinski 1-5
PASSING
Henrico - Otey 4 completions, 6 attempts, 1 interception, 5 yards;
Lee-Davis - Burton 1-4-0-10, Phillip Gardner 1-1-0-8
RECEIVING
Henrico - Ricky Rogers 1 reception, 1 yard, Timone Brown 1-8, Martin 2-(minus 4); Lee-Davis - Worley 1-10, Wyatt 1-8