Pine’s defense, running game, Seal help Raiders to playoff victory
Published 11:02 pm Friday, November 10, 2017
Pine’s defense pitched a shutout, the offense had a strong running game and quarterback Joey Seal accounted for six touchdowns in a 42-0 Class 2A first round playoff victory over West St. Mary at home Friday.
“The last half of our season, our defense is really playing very, very good,” Pine coach Bradley Seal said. “I’m really happy with the way they’re playing and we were able to get the run game going early. The offensive line did a real nice job.”
Pine got the ball first and had a drive going, but fumbled the ball and Kobe Phillips recovered for No. 20 West St. Mary at their 16.
Pine’s defense forced a three-and-out and was solid all game. West St. Mary got inside Pine’s 10 twice in the game, but the unit continually made plays and held its opponent off of the board.
“We just played all as a team,” linebacker Hunter Temples said. “Our defensive backs, they just had it together tonight and did real well blocking those passes, and up front, we were just dominating the line of scrimmage. Defense worked as a team tonight and came out with a blowout.”
Offensively, the Raiders ran for 316 yards and Joey Seal threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more.
Jakyran Handy led the rushing attack with 100 yards on 14 carries. Delvric Dillon ran for 91 yards on 13 attempts and Seal ran for 27 yards and three touchdowns.
Seal threw for 45 yards and three scores. Damarea Odom was on the receiving end of two touchdowns, with Jordan Anderson catching the other.
The signal caller said it fires them up a lot when the running game gets going.
“You see the 42 on the scoreboard,” Seal said.
Seal talked about how much the running game helps with the passing.
“A good running team opens up the pass because they’re going to try to stop the run and they’re not as focused for the pass and you can get the pass on them,” Seal said.
No. 13 Pine began the second quarter on a drive the Raiders capped off on the period’s first play, when Seal snuck in from the 1 to make it 6-0 with 11:56 left after the two-point conversion was no good.
Markell Cotton recovered a fumble at the West St. Mary’s 41. Pine faced fourth-and-17 at the 26. Seal threw an incompletion, but defensive pass interference moved the ball to the 13 where it was fourth-and-3. Seal connected with Odom across the middle for a touchdown. It was 12-0 after the two-point conversion was no good with 5:36 left and it stayed that way through halftime.
Rayshaun Bell intercepted a pass on the opening drive of the second half. Pine took over at West St. Mary’s 25 and scored in four plays on Seal’s 6-yard run. Evan Sinopoli ran in the two points for a 20-0 lead with 8:23 on the clock.
A punt out of bounds at West St. Mary’s 32 on the next possession led to Seal running in from the 10 on the third play. Seal added the two and it was 28-0 with five minutes left and that was the score through three quarters.
Just like the end of the first, Pine had a drive going at the end of the third and scored on the first play of the fourth when Seal connected with Odom on fourth-and-7 for a 30-yard score. Seal added the two for a 36-0 lead nine seconds into the final period.
Pine’s last score was on a Seal-to-Anderson 4-yard pass. The Raiders were unable to convert for two with 3:02 to go, resulting in the 42-0 final.
Pine (7-4) advanced to the second round and will face fourth-seeded Many (9-2) on the road.