WS Chronicle

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

Coming into Monday’s game between Mt. Tabor and Reynolds, there was a lot of hype from both sides. Each team boasting an undefeated record was confident in their ability to win. Mt. Tabor put any hopes of a Demon victory to bed early as they went on to defeat Reynolds 49-0.

Mt. Tabor jumped on Reynolds early as they went up 7-0 just minutes into the first quarter. Following an interception by the Demons, the Spartans methodically drove the ball right down the field and quarterback Andrew Muse hooked up with wide receiver Jaquan Albright on a slant pattern that gave them a 13-0 with less than five minutes gone in the first quarter.

Reynolds has been relying on their running game all season, and it has served them well.  Their version of the Wing T offense has been bruising, with running backs Shaheim Revel and Desmond Hood. Unfortunately, the Spartan defense was up to the task and held them at bay all game long.

Muse connected with Zyquez McMillan at the beginning of the second quarter for another score, which put them up by three touchdowns.  Reynolds led several drives into Spartan territory, but penalties and turnovers were their Achilles heel throughout. Albright, who also took snaps at quarterback, scored late in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 28-0 at the half.

Mt. Tabor head coach Mike Lovelace said he was a bit worried how his team would come out and play early with their lack of practice the previous week.

He said he challenged his team before the game and says they executed very well “If they were going to play us man-to-man on the backside, we were going to be able to take advantage of that,” said Lovelace. Our quarterback, Andrew Muse, did a phenomenal job, and we were able to spread it out all over.  I just thought we played a well-rounded game and our defense was outstanding and I’m just proud of them.”

After Reynolds returned the second half kickoff to midfield, they had great starting field position to start their drive.

Mt. Tabor’s defense was up to the task as the drive was stopped when linebacker Lee Sales sacked Mysta Goodloe, forcing the Demons to punt.

On the next Spartan possession. Muse threw his third touchdown pass of the game when he fired a dart to Brendan Stokes, who did the heavy lifting and scampered 76 yards for the score. Muse said at Mt. Tabor they come out to win every game and he knows they will have a dogfight in their next game against West Forsyth.

“I just told our guys to stay together as a unit because we have our plays down in practice that we rep, and rep and rep,” said Muse.  “I was worried about that as much I just wanted us to stay in unity as a team.”

Rashad Hague was able to get in on the scoring when he scampered multiple defenders into the end zone to give the Spartans a commanding 42-0 lead at the end of the third.

Officials decided to have a running clock to start the fourth quarter as the game was out of reach. The Reynolds offense continued to play hard but could not figure out the Spartan defense.  Mt. Tabor took over after a turnover on downs and ran much of the clock out until Kamari Brooks broke free and ran it in for a 49-0 lead, which wound up being the final score.

Reynolds head coach Rod Dunlap said Mt. Tabor is a great team and his guys showed their immaturity and overconfidence with having an undefeated record.

“The guys thought we were just going to show up and not have to play hard and they are going to lay down. It did not happen,” Dunlap said.  “They keyed in on our backs and with our offense, we cannot play behind the sticks.  Our team can learn preparation from this loss, and it does-n’t come from talking, it comes from playing.  This game humbled us, and I expect us to bounce back from it.”