WILMINGTON – Delaware Military Academy needed to find a way to stop Laurel’s momentum on Saturday night.
The Seahawks did it by running out the clock.
A 14-play drive took more than seven minutes and ended with Justin Broccoli’s 26-yard field goal with 1:08 remaining to seal DMA’s 23-14 win in a nonconference football matchup at Baynard Stadium.
Laurel (3-5) pulled within 20-14 on a 10-yard run by Yolnex Gustin with 8:18 left in the game. That’s when the Seahawks (7-1), ranked fifth statewide in Division II, put it in the freezer. With a little help from the Bulldogs.
DMA’s first two first downs came on Laurel penalties – an offsides on third-and-3 and a 15-yard personal foul. Then the Seahawks grinded it out with Todd Turner. The 244-pound senior carried on six of the next seven plays, including a 4-yard gain on fourth-and-3 from the Bulldogs 15.
The drive stalled, but Broccoli’s kick was true for a nine-point margin that put the game away.
DMA scored on its first possession, moving 65 yards in 10 plays. Turner (19 carries, 96 yards) rumbled in from the 6 to make it 7-0 with 5:24 left in the first quarter.
A 14-yard punt return by Perez Nichols set up Laurel at the DMA 38. Deon’Tre Parker broke off a 34-yard gain on the next play, and Rae’Mier Deshields banged in from the 2 three plays later to tie it at 7.
A juggling interception by the Bulldogs’ Mitchell Moyer stopped DMA at the Laurel 7. Two plays later, Nichols was going around the right side on a keeper when the Seahawks’ Corahn Alleyne swept in, took the ball away and went 17 yards the other way for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.
DMA recovered another fumble at the Laurel 14 to set up its next score. Two plays later, Jacob Hudson fired a 13-yard strike to Alleyne for a 20-7 lead with 33 seconds remaining in the first half.
It stayed that way until the Laurel offense suddenly came to life early in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs went to a hurry-up attack, taking just 2:55 to cover 80 yards in eight plays. Nichols hooked up with Parker for a 28-yard gain, then scrambled for 21 more. Gustin scored from the 10 to pull Laurel within 20-14 with 8:18 to play.
But the Seahawks countered with their decisive, clock-eating drive. In addition to Turner, Hudson rushed 15 times for 52 yards and Alleyne carried six times for 40 yards for DMA. Hudson also completed 5 of 14 passes for 55 yards.
The Seahawks held Laurel to 109 rushing yards, with Gustin gaining 44 on 11 carries. Nichols completed 4 of 8 passes for 96 yards.
Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.
Delaware Military Academy corner back Corahn Alleyne (1) celebrate an interception during a Week 8 DIAA football game between Laurel and Delaware Military Academy Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Baynard Stadium in Wilmington.
Delaware Military Academy running back Todd Turner (4) rushes for extra yardage during a Week 8 DIAA football game between Laurel and Delaware Military Academy Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Baynard Stadium in Wilmington.
Laurel wide receiver Perez Nichols (9) drops the ball during a Week 8 DIAA football game between Laurel and Delaware Military Academy Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Baynard Stadium in Wilmington.
Delaware Military Academy wide receiver Corahn Alleyne (1), LEFT, catches a touchdown pass late in the second quarter during a Week 8 DIAA football game between Laurel and Delaware Military Academy Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Baynard Stadium in Wilmington.