Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county
09/12/07 By Steve Jones
For the latest in Carroll County Sports coverage, read Steve Jones in the Westminster Eagle
Related on Soundtrack: Sports in Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School
See also: 20070912 Westminster Eagle: Carroll County High School Football Results and Schedule
Also see: 20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips
And: 20070919 Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field
Westminster Eagle sports writer wrote:
Thomas' run clinches season-opening victory
They gained only five yards of total offense in the first half and made only seven first downs the entire game.
Their best player was limited to less than two yards per carry, and they didn't complete a single pass during the warm, muggy night.
Yet somehow, Francis Scott Key found a way to win.
The Eagles utilized a standout defense that limited
While the
Dustin Ebaugh raced 22 yards for a third-quarter touchdown and David Thomas added the clinching score on a 55-yard run with just over two minutes remaining.
"Everybody knows about Brad, but we also have other playmakers," said Key's second-year head coach Bill Hyson. "Dustin came close to popping some long runs and David had a nice one for the touchdown. Along with Tyler Bridges, they're going to give Brad some opportunities down the road, because defenses will have to start respecting them, too."
The win enabled defending county champion Key to take an early lead in the county race.
The Eagles host a formidable North Carroll team this Friday, while
Key gained just five total yards in the first half, as
The Owls picked up nine first downs to just one for the Eagles, but
"How many opportunities did we have that we didn't take advantage of in the first half?," said Westminster head coach Brad Wilson, who watched the Owls lose their first season opener in his four years at the helm. "We made young mistakes and just didn't finish."
Francis Scott Key scored on its first possession of the second half. After Thomas returned a Bobby Krauk punt to the
The teams picked up a combined three first downs on the next nine series, as the defenses dominated into the latter stages of the fourth quarter.
Krauk sailed a 55-yard punt past Thomas that was downed at the Eagle 37, and Martz moved Key to midfield with a 13-yard burst up the middle. After a delay of game penalty, Thomas put the game away for the Eagles.
The senior running back moved through a sizable hole then cut to the left sideline and outraced two
"I can't say enough about the blocking of our line," said Thomas, who led all rushers with 74 yards on seven carries. "We didn't change our blocking schemes (in the second half). We just came out and played hard."
Senior running back Hunter Smith took a short screen pass from sophomore quarterback Andy Gilford and raced 73 yards down the right sideline for the Owls' only touchdown of the night with 1:45 remaining.
Smith was stopped short on the two-point conversion try, but a well-placed onside kick by junior John Hajnos was recovered by
The Eagles' defense smothered
"I was proud of their effort," Hyson said of his defense, which yielded just 189 total yards. "We were fortunate to be down only 3-0 (at half-time) with the short field that we were playing on."
Smith, who was the only Owl back to run with the ball, accounted for most of
A former wide receiver who was moved to running back after senior Jesse Astlin suffered a season-ending injury in a late August scrimmage, Smith gained 68 yards on 20 carries and also caught five passes for 75 yards.
In his first start, Gilford completed 16 of 33 passes for 136 yards and one score. Junior linebacker Brett Baer led the Owl defensive effort, recording a game-high nine tackles while also playing a strong game on the offensive line.
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20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Video Clip 1
20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 2
20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 3
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