WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

The first game of the year usually comes with some nervousness and a few mental errors as the players knock the rust off from the summer.  Last Thursday, Glenn’s JV was able to overcome the rust and pull out a victory against North Forsyth, 14 to 6.

Neither team was able to establish any sort of continuity on offense during the first half of play.  North was unable to get out of its own way with botched center to quarterback exchanges, missed assignments on the offensive line and key turnovers.  Glenn was able to drive the ball into North territory multiple times in the first half but kept coming up empty.  Glenn’s defense was the most consistent group on the field all night.

Glenn Head coach Stephen Herring Jr.  said it felt great to “get the monkey off their back” by winning the first game of the year.

“Our defense played huge tonight.  If it wasn’t for the four turnovers and getting us good field position, who knows how things would have turned out.  Its much easier to score on a 40-yard drive than an 80 yard.”

Glenn was able to control the line of scrimmage on defense,which kept North Forsyth off balance for most of the game. On offense, Glenn went to wide receiver Christen Wilson early and often with hitches and quick screens that opened up the running game for Mekhi Fenner, who scored twice, and others. “Christen Wilson is one of our big time players, and we went to him early. By doing that, it opened up the passing game for other receivers like Davieyon Allsbrook-Miller, who had a big night receiving for us as well as our tight ends,” Herring continued.

North Forsyth did not seem to get into any sort of rhythm all night long.  They had issues just snapping the ball from under center and when they seemed to have some momentum late in the first half, starting running back Semaj Transou had to leave the game due to injury. Following the injury to Transou, the Vikings were not able to move the ball on the ground.

The first half of play ended with a 0-0 score.  Glenn came out early in the second half and seemed to wear down the Vikings, who had many players going both ways on offense and defense.  The Bobcats were also able to capitalize off of the fumbles committed by the Vikings.

Viking head coach Corey Stewart was pleased with the efforts of his team and says he will work on some things during the bye week to sure up some of the mistakes that were made against Glenn.

“In the first half, we had too many mistakes, but in the second half I thought we came out and played a little bit harder but the game just did turn our way,” Stewart said.  “With the turnovers it’s just about execution, so when we get back to practice on Monday, we will try and clean that up.”

Late in the fourth quarter, North Forsyth had a glimmer of hope are a broken pass play when Marquez Hurst broke through the Glenn defense for a long scramble but was stripped near the sideline. The ball was picked up by his teammate Josh Reynolds, who had the presence of mind to reverse field and take the fumble in for a touchdown with 3:42 seconds left in the game, bringing the score to 14 to 6.

On Glenn’s next possession, they went three and out and had to punt the ball away, giving the Vikings one last chance to tie the game but when the ball was punted, the North Forsyth return man was indecisive on whether or not he was going to pick the ball up or let it roll and he touched the ball, making it live and was recovered by Glenn.

The Bobcats then took a knee on first and second down to end the game.