Region 3-AAAA contests continue
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Burke County's Dustin Lovett tackles Greenbrier High School's Graham Posey after he completes a catch in the first quarter.
Photo by Todd Bennett
At the midpoint of the 2001 season, both the Lakeside and Greenbrier high school football teams are still ironing out some gridiron problems.
But so far, only the Wolfpack has been burned.
Lakeside didn't fire on all cylinders Friday night, but the Panthers escaped with a 19-13 win over T. W. Josey High School at White Road Stadium. Although it wasn't an impressive performance, Lakeside improved its record to 2-1 in Region 3-AAAA and remains in the hunt for a state playoff berth.
Greenbrier, on the other hand, blocked three Burke County punts Friday night at the Brierpatch but was stuck with a 20-15 loss to the Bears in the Region 3-AAAA contest. The defeat left Greenbrier with an 0-3 region record and placed the Pack's playoff dreams in jeopardy.
''Our defense played great and the offense did what they had to do. We just haven't had any breaks go our way," Greenbrier coach Mickey Derrick said.
Lakeside High School's Matt Nixon dragged T. W. Josey High School defenders Calvin Pryor (left) and Desmond Johnson for a few yards during their game Friday. Lakeside won 19-13 to stay in the running for a state playoff berth in Region 3-AAAA.
Photo by Todd Bennett
Greenbrier took a 6-0 first-quarter lead on a pair of field goals from Ben Tankersley. The junior place-kicker set up for a 35-yard attempt in the second quarter, which could have given Greenbrier a 9-0 lead, but the Pack attempted a fake run by Michael Walden.
Burke's defense wasn't fooled. The Bears stuffed Walden, then scored a touchdown three plays later to seize the momentum.
Tankersley booted his third field goal to put Greenbrier up 15-14 in the fourth quarter, but on the ensuing series, Burke County came back with a crucial fourth-down play. Bears quarterback Rameriz Crumbley rolled out and completed a 49-yard pass to Noah Folker to set up the winning touchdown run by Miquel Payne.
''We figured they'd run an option or pass," Derrick said of the fourth-down play. ''I tell you what, nine times out of 10 he doesn't make that pass."
Lakeside's Galen Jones gains a few yards against Josey.
Photo by Todd Bennett
Meanwhile, at White Road Stadium, Josey and Lakeside combined for 21 penalties and five turnovers. The Panthers earned the win with defense, the rushing of Matt Nixon (95 yards), two touchdown passes from Klay Koester and 95 yards receiving by Steven Rogers.
Koester tossed touchdown passes to Philip Sadler and Eric Mamo, and a blocked punt gave the Panthers some breathing room. The special teams play gave Lakeside the ball on the Josey 5-yard line and the Panthers converted the miscue into the touchdown pass from Koester to Mamo.
The Panthers tacked on five points in the fourth quarter on a Jon Wilson field goal and a safety.
Lakeside (2-3, 2-1 in region play) is back at Panther Stadium this week to play region foe Butler High School at 7:30 p.m. Greenbrier (1-4, 0-3) travels to play Glenn Hills at Lumpkin Road Stadium (7:30 p.m. kickoff).