Football drops to 4-3

The 2002 Blair Blazers began this season with tons of promise. With a successful campaign a year ago the Blazers entered the season all prepped for the playoffs. After graduating only a handful of seniors from last year's team the expectations were high.

With the most recent 21-7 loss to Quince Orchard High School the Blazers have been just about eliminated from playoff contention. The two teams played head to head for much of the game with the Blazers finally jumping to a 7-0 lead in the middle of the second quarter from a senior Jermaine Jack touchdown scamper. Jack had minimal yards on the ground and was pretty much bottled up for most of the evening.

The Blazers went to the half with a 7-0 lead and seemed to leave their offense in the locker room. With 8:17 left in the game the Cougars were able to finally get on the board with a long punt return for a touchdown. The horrific third quarter continued when junior Josh Garcia got caught sleeping and a QO wide receiver blazed up the sideline to catch a 50-yard touchdown heave for his second score of the night.

The Blazers began to gain momentum at the end of the third quarter with a few big plays in the passing game and one spectacular move from senior quarterback Arie Piesert. Piesert who appeared to fumble the snap was immediately within the grasp of a QPO defender. He shook the player, reversed field, sprinted to the outside and was able to turn the corner and lower his shoulder for a big first down.

Despite Piesert efforts penalties killed the spectacular drive. With about two minutes remaining in the 4th quarter down 14-7 senior defensive end Max Pollock made the defensive play of the game sacking the QO quarterback for a ten yard loss forcing a punting situation.
However on the first play of the game tying drive, Piesert and senior wide receiver Avon Jackson found themselves on different page.

Piesert threw the ball right to a QO defender who returned the pick to the one-yard line for an easy goal line touchdown to put the game out of reach at 21-7.

Even though the playoffs are out of reach one win in their next two games wills secure their second winning season in a row. The Blazers play a tough homecoming game against Magruder, Monday and an even tougher opponent in the powerhouse Sherwood on next Friday for the season finale.