BRUNSWICK, Md. – David Lawrence isn’t one for revelations.
Many times, Smithsburg’s football coach has a matter-of-fact view after a game. Friday night was one of those times.
“They made more plays than we did,” he said about Brunswick’s 25-14 win over the Leopards. “That’s just the way it is.”
The Railroaders broke of a few big plays early to set a tone based on an abundance of counter running plays to build a 19-0 halftime lead and grind out their first victory of the season for Brunswick’s Homecoming night.
“I knew all week they were capable. They were a formidable opponent … I knew they were,” Lawrence said. “I sent the message out all week long, I don’t know. I just one of these things … we have got to get better. The kids fought hard in the second half, but it was too little, too late.”
Brunswick got two rushing touchdowns by Barima Baffoe, sandwiching a Brady Renn-to-Cayden Boedecker scoring pass to push out to the early lead, while Smithsburg (2-2) failed to get any real offensive footing.
The Leopards, who had won two tight home games, only ran 13 plays and got one first down in the first 24 minutes.
“We just got to be more consistent in everything we do.” Lawrence said. “That’s the biggest thing right now.”
Smithsburg won the opening toss, deferred the ball to play defense.
Instead of making a statement, the Leopards found themselves behind quickly.
Starting at their own 32, the Railroaders ran two consecutive plays to the left. Baffoe took the first over the left end of the line for 14 yards. The second was a counter sweep that allowed him to beat the Leopards to the corner and down the field for a 54-yard touchdown.
The Railroaders missed the extra point, but still led 6-0 just 42 seconds into the game.
The Leopards opened with their best drive of the first half, but needed a fourth-down conversion to sustain it. After six plays and a penalty, Smithsburg punted.
Brunswick looked poised to score on a second straight drive, 63-yards on 13 plays. The Leopards ended the threat with a four-play stand inside their 10 to stay within a TD.
The Railroaders benefited from a short Smithsburg punt to start the next drive at the Leopards 31. Brunswick pecked away with six straight runs before Renn found Boedecker with 7-yard TD pass with 8:41 remaining the half. A failed conversion pass left the score at 12-0.
Brunswick’s next drive took the Railroaders down to Smithsburg’s goal line again, but this one was finished with a 1-yard run by Baffoe for the 19-0 halftime lead.
Smithsburg took the second-half kickoff and immediately unveiled the passing game.
On the second possession, quarterback Luke Scott connected on four of five passes to move the Leopards down the field. Two strikes to Marquis Weakfall and a six-yard connection with Michael Jackson after a 11-yard scramble put the Leopards on the doorstep of scoring.
Scott found Dakota Sowers on a sharped-angled out pattern for the 7-yard TD with 6:01 left in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 19-6.
The Leopards began to stand up to Brunswick’s running game and turned some of the momentum in their favor.
Smithburg sprung Zach Linn for a 32-yard run to ignite the drive before Scott hit Sowers with a pair of passes to get to the Brunswick 13. After Scott scrambled to the 3, Nick Roncone did the rest.
The sophomore fullback took a handoff to the right, only to find his path block. He doubled back to the left and outran the Railroaders defense to the front corner of the end zone for a 3-yard TD. Scott ran in the conversion and Smithsburg was within 19-14 with 9:24 remaining.
Brunswick countered with a 13-play drive, featuring runs by Austin Del Balzo and Baffoe to get back near the Smithsburg goal line. Logan Kisselback scored from the 1 cap the 59-yard drove with 4:18 remaining to give the Railroaders the 25-14 lead.
Smithsburg tried to pass its way back into contention, but Scott was intercepted by Kisselback near midfield, which allowed Brunswick the luxury of running out the clock to end the game.
It became another tough lesson for the Leopards.
“It’s just part of learning and trying to improve.” Lawrence concluded. “It’s what it is.”
Other Washingtons County scores
North Hagerstown 18, Central Woodstock (Va.) 7
The Hubs are 4-0.
South Hagerstown 34, Thomas Johnson 17.
The Rebels win their first game (1-3)
Other County Schools
Williamsport 12, Northeast 6
The Wildcats are 4-0
Boonsboro 56, Catoctin 7
Mountain Ridge (W.Va.) 42, Clear Spring 0
Bath County (Va.) 42, Hancock 0
