It was a big game for both teams as the Lackey Chargers faced the powerful Thomas Stone Cougars in Waldorf Friday night. On the line was a playoff spot for Lackey, and the SMAC Championship for Stone.
Going into the game all eyes were on Thomas Stone star running back, senior Juwuan Briscoe. Briscoe boasts a sparkling 9.5 yards per carry average and 15 touchdowns as a running back this season. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in both his junior and senior years, and will be playing for the Clemson Tigers next season.
The game started with both teams trading punts. On Lackey’s second possession, a miscommunication between quarterback Dionte Miles and wide receiver Cortelle Simpson led to an interception by Briscoe. He took it all the way back for an early touchdown, but an illegal block in the back penalty called it back all the way to the Stone six-yard line, effectively a 94 yard penalty.
It didn’t matter. The Cougars methodically drove down the field using their dangerous option attack. The drive was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Trey Lee.
On Lackey’s ensuing possession, quarterback Dionte Miles connected with receiver Demetrious Richardson for a 44-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed, and at the half the score was 7-6 Thomas Stone.
Thomas Stone took control of the second half right away. Their first possession was a pounding 10-minute drive down the field capped off by a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback Trey Lee. The two-point conversion was good, which made the score 15-6.
The Cougar defense shut down Lackey’s powerful offense, and forced a turnover on downs. The offense turned in a touchdown on their first play. Senior running back Michael Dorsey took the hand-off to the left side, and outran everyone to the corner for a 15-yard touchdown. The score was now 21-6 with 11:21 to go in the fourth quarter.
After the stout Stone defense made another 4th down stop and forced another turnover on downs, the offense took advantage of Lackey. The Cougar rushing attack was too much for the Chargers to handle. Juwuan Briscoe capped off their drive with a three-yard scoring plunge that iced the game for the Cougars. The final score was 28-6, and the Thomas Stone Cougars stood alone as champions of the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference.
They finished the season with a 9-1 record, a number one seed in the 3A South, and a SMAC Championship. Lackey finished the season at a record of 7-3, and missed the playoffs. Thomas Stone plays Huntingtown in the semifinals of the 3A South next Friday night at 7 p.m.