West overpowers ’Stangs
(pictured above: West Forsyth’s Dashawn Hamilton (2) returns a kickoff as Parkland’s Elvin Delarosa (4) makes the tackle.)
West Forsyth’s early barrage was too much for Parkland to handle in junior varsity football action last week. The visiting Titans scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, then cruised the rest of the way in a 37-8 victory at Deaton-Thompson Stadium.
It didn’t take long for this Central Piedmont Conference opener for both teams to get out of hand. Aidan Batalia and Drew Latham ran for two touchdowns apiece to lead the way for West Forsyth, which led 23-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Dimitri Hondos added an eight-yard scoring run midway through the second quarter. Minutes later, Latham rushed seven yards for a touchdown to close out the scoring for the Titans.
Parkland scored its only touchdown on a five-yard run by backup quarterback Casey Wilkins late in the fourth quarter. Tre Barnes ran for the conversion. Wilkins threw a 42-yard pass to Deparis Linton to set up the score.
Due to the one-sided nature of the game, West Forsyth emptied its bench so that everyone got playing time. Coach Jared Eure is pleased with the win, but realizes his team must sharpen its game as the Titans go deeper in conference play.
Jared Eure
“Regardless of what the score is, our players have to execute the plays that are called,” said Eure, whose team improved 3-2 and 1-0 in the CPC. “We need to do that whether it’s our first-string or our fourth-string. Defensively, it’s all about wrapping people up and putting them on the ground. So far this season, we’ve had bad special teams play and too many turnovers. That’s because we’re playing so many young pups (freshmen), but they are coming along.”
In defeat, Parkland quarterback Gianni Smith showed flashes of promise, as did wide receivers Andrew Grant and Linton. On defense, Juwan Huey recovered two fumbles and made a touchdown-saving tackle at the goal line to keep the Titans from scoring in the third quarter.
Inconsistency on both sides of the ball is the prime reason why Parkland is 0-5, 0-1. It’s not that the Mustangs have no talent on the roster. It’s more about their inability to significantly reduce turnovers, penalties and missed assignments.
West Forsyth, in the meantime, hasn’t fully recovered from losing its best player. Zach Brinkley suffered a fractured tibia in late August and is out for the season. Prior to his injury, Brinkley played well as a break-away running back and hard-hitting linebacker. He also punts and returns kicks.
For the remainder of the season, Eure looks for Mitchell Berry and Latham to set the tone for their teammates. Berry, a sophomore inside linebacker, is the heart and soul of the defense. Latham, a freshman quarterback, has continued to improve with each outing.
“Mitchell is an up and coming talent,” said Eure. “He’s our leader on defense and I trust his judgment. That’s why we give him the freedom to make his own (defensive) checks as he sees fit. Drew has gotten more comfortable with the offense and he makes good decisions.”
Both teams will be back in action today (Oct. 2). West Forsyth plays host to Mount Tabor; Parkland squares off against Reynolds at Deaton-Thompson Stadium. Kickoff time for both games is 6 p.m.
