Team ends season with a hard fought loss
The Blazers' 2002 season came to an end on a sad note Friday night at Sherwood Stadium as the team lost 13-6 to a tough Warrior squad. Sherwood, which spanked the Blazers 42-0 a year ago, had its hands full trying to stop the hellacious Blair running game. However, Sherwood was able to sneak by the Blazers, who have a final record of 5-4, to improve its record to 8-1.
The Warriors started fast, scoring right out of the gates off a Josh Twyman touchdown scamper. The game was a defensive struggle for most of the night with very few big offensive plays given up on either side. Senior Jermaine Jack had one of his best games of the season, rushing for a little under 150 yards.
The Blazers finally got on the board in the second half off a touchdown run by senior Felix Ruiz, who had 117 yards on the ground for the night. Ruiz pounded the ball up the middle like he has so many times this season for a 9-yard score. Junior Noam Dror missed the game-tying extra point and left the Blazers trailing 6-7 going into the second half.
Sherwood came out pumped in the third quarter and got on the board with another bruising touchdown run by Twyman to go up 13-6. The game then became a battle of the defenses and neither team could move the ball very well.
In the closing minutes of the game senior quarterback Arie Piesert just overthrew senior wide receiver Avon Jackson for what could have been a game-tying touchdown pass. The Blazers dug themselves into a crucial hole and had to convert an impossible fourth and 20. They turned the ball over on downs and Sherwood ran out the clock, ending the Blazers' spectacular season.
With consecutive winning seasons for the first time in recent memory the Blair Blazers campaign has been very successful. Only plays away from perfection, this team was one of the best in Blair history. With Ruiz and Jack leading the way, the Blazers ran all over the county, but it was just not enough for an elusive playoff berth.
Next season the Blazers will lose most of the team's lineman but the secondary will be back for an encore. Junior quarterback/outside linebacker Johnny Beckwith is a more-than-capable field general, and he should be able to lead next year's team to that much deserved playoff birth.
Calvin Anderson. Calvin Anderson was born in Washington D.C. on January 3rd 1986. He now lives with his mom in Takoma Park Maryland. Calvin is the man behind the infamous column Cal's Call. In addition to writing his column he enjoys playing sports including lacrosse and basketball … More »
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