Middle School Saints football team kicked their season off last Thursday evening as they hosted the York Dragons for the 2023 opening game. The game would get off to a rocky start for the Saints, with some opening day jitters seemingly coming into play, but the game would be decided in its final seconds.
The Saints won the toss and elected to receive to start the game, and would end up beginning their first drive at their own 35. The drive would be doomed after a QB keeper by Preston Cantrell lost three yards, then a false start backed them up five more. A Domminic Williamson run would end with another loss of yards and the Saints would have to punt.
York would return back to the Saints’ 39 and would soon draw first blood. Keeping to the ground, a third and eight run took the ball to the 12, then another pair of runs set the Dragons up at the one. One more run powered through for six with two minutes left in the first quarter. A run for a two-point conversion was stuffed but the Dragons were up 6-0.
Nerves seemed to play a part in the Saints’ next possession as well. With Williamson returning the kick to the Saints’ 30, DeKalb tried to get some rhythm. A Preston Taylor run was good for two, then a keeper got a first down at the York 47.
There, things fell apart once again. A false start sent them back five, then a snap over the QB’s head ended with the ball back at the Saints’ 36. Taylor would run to the Saints 47, then on a third and 20, a keeper resulted in a fumble at the 43. The Dragons took over.
DeKalb’s defense would step up this time. Penalties and a bad snap on York’s part would doom their drive and the Dragons would be forced to punt from their own 33.
The Saints would return to the 25, then would finally get in gear. Williamson would carry to the 15, then a false start backed them up to the 20. Taylor would then carry to get the penalty yards back, then a Cantrell keep would get stuffed for a four-yard loss. Another keep would be stuffed at the 20, and facing a fourth and 15 from the 20 DeKalb went for it. The Cantrell pass to Cooper Odom was caught at the line, and in for the touchdown with 1:03 left in the half. A Williamson run for two was stopped, but DeKalb was on the board, 6-6.
York would get the ball at their own 30, but would not be able to move downfield before the half would end.
York received to start the second half and looked to get a good return, all the way to the Saints 48, but a holding penalty put the ball back to the York 35.
There, the Saints D-line stood firm and only gave up two yards before a third and eight play resulted in a fumble by the QB with DeKalb recovering at the 35.
The Saints were in good position but once again miscues doomed the drive. A Williamson carry ended with a five-yard loss, then a keeper was stuffed at the line. Another false start pushed them back to the 45. Another Williamson run only netted two yards and the Saints would have to punt.
York would get a good return, taking the ball back to the Saints 45. There, a second down play was flagged with an illegal formation call, but then a carry on the next play had the Dragons set up at the Saints 19. They would stick to the ground, running to the 15, then the six. Another run was good at the four as the third quarter came to an end.
On the first play of the fourth, York ran it in for six, with 7:55 left to play. The two-point attempt was stopped, but the Dragons were up, 12-6.
DMS was running out of time and had to get things going. Their next drive would do just that. The Saints would start at their own 42, and a second down carry by Williamson had them at the York 47. A Taylor run was good for one, then a keeper was stopped one yard short at the 38. Cantrell called his own number again on a fourth and one, and took the ball to the 32 yard line.
The Saints were aided by an off sides penalty by York, and another keeper netted one yard. Cantrell kept the ball again on the next play, taking it to the 30 and once more to the 23. Facing another fourth and one, it was another keeper, downed at the 19.
The play kept the Saints alive, but also cost the team its QB. Cantrell came out of the game with an injury, but the team kept pressing forward. Williamson got the ball next, running to the 15, then was handed the ball again, this time in for the touchdown. Williamson ran the ball once more, taking it in for the two-point conversion, and with 43 second left in the game it looked as if the Saints had the game wrapped up.
York would receive the kick with the clock as their main enemy, but the Dragons would show why you never stop playing the game. The return would end up with a big run all the way back to the Saints nine yard line and 29 second left to play. A fumbled snap on the next play almost ended the game, but York fell on the ball at the 12 with just 16 second left in the game. The next play, York did something they hadn’t done all game, a pass was caught in the end zone, good for six. A two-point run was good, and with eight seconds left in the game, the Dragons claimed the 14-12 lead.
The Saints would get the ball to the 45 on the kick, then a quick desperation pass play fell incomplete and York claimed the victory.
The Saints travel to Cumberland County next Thursday for their first away game of the season. The game starts at 6:30.
