Chris Rossi/The Gazette Damascus High School running back Trevor Patton looks for running room in Friday’s game against Walt Whitman.

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Often overlooked by the casual football observer, special teams can often play a key role in determining the outcome of a game.

Friday night in Damascus, the Swarmin’ Hornets punt return unit did just that. Junior Caleb Baisden blocked a pair of punts that led to touchdowns and the ninth-ranked Hornets pulled away from visiting Walt Whitman for a 28-14 homecoming victory in front of a standing-room only crowd.

“All season I’ve told the guys that we were going to win with special teams and defense,” coach Eric Wallich said. “Tonight, that is exactly what we did. Caleb has now blocked four or five punts for us this year and the whole punt return group has just been working hard.”

With Damascus (7-1) already holding a 7-0 advantage late in opening quarter and the Vikings (4-4) punting from their own 36, Baisden broke through the line and blocked the kick. Junior George Vinson then recovered the ball on the 19. Two plays later, running back Trevor Patton scored from 15 yards out eight seconds into the second quarter, but Eddie Cooke’s extra point attempt was blocked.

The Vikings went three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half to set up Baisden’s second block. Baisden had a free run into the backfield and the Hornets recovered the ball on the 6. Two plays and a two-point conversion later, the advantage was 21-7.

“Our coaches are special teams gurus,” Baisden said. “They know how to design plays to get us after the punter. My teammates freed me up and all I had to do was put out my hand.”

Added Whitman coach Jim Kuhn: “I was worried all week about special teams and our punt protection. We gave up two blocks on a short field and they capitalized with touchdowns. It obviously cost us the game.”

Damascus started the scoring on its second possession of the game. Patton’s 7-yard run at 1 minute, 57 seconds of the first quarter and Cooke’s kick capped an eight-play, 45-yard drive.

Trailing 13-0 midway through the second quarter, Whitman senior Michael Flack’s interception in Hornets’ territory set up the Vikings first score of the game. On fourth-and-one from the 16, Flack tossed the ball right to Zac Morton before sneaking out of the backfield and up the left sideline. Flack was wide open and Morton found him for the touchdown.

The Vikings made things interesting in the fourth by closing within 21-14 for a brief moment as Flack and Val Djidotor combined for 16 runs and 69 yards on a 17-play, 70-yard drive that was capped by Flack’s scoring scramble from the 3.

But on the ensuing play from scrimmage, Patton scampered untouched 55 yards for the victory sealing touchdown.

“We had all the momentum, but we clearly didn’t keep it,” Kuhn said. “You want to get them off the field and get the ball back after you score. That is how you make a comeback, but [Patton] made a heck of a run.”

Whitman’s Weston Hanessian completed a 62-yard pass to Andy Orr late in the fourth, but Orr was tackled from behind and fumbled the ball a yard short of the end zone.

Damascus travels to Seneca Valley (6-1), who plays Gaithersburg (4-3) Saturday, next week in what should determine the top-seed in the Class 3A West Region playoffs.

“It’s a big one for sure,” Baisden said.

kzakour@gazette.net

Damascus 28, Walt Whitman 14

Whitman (4-4) 0 7 0 7--14

Damascus (7-1) 7 6 8 7--28

D -- Patton 7 run (Cooke kick)

D -- Patton 15 run (kick blocked)

W -- Flack 16 pass from Morton (Peterson kick)

D -- Pugh 1 run (Rogers pass from Cooke)

W -- Flack 3 run (Peterson kick)

D -- Patton 55 run (Cooke kick)

RUSHING -- W: Flack 19-87, Djidotor 17-62, Morton 1-3, Soumah 2-0, Sullivan 1-1 D: Patton 20-187, Pugh 3-4, Hanley 2-11, Williams 2-3, Cook 3-(-8), Baisden 3-31, Bradshaw 2-7

PASSING -- W: Flack 1-12-0 4, Morton 1-1-0 16, Hanessian 2-6-0 60 D: Cooke 3-4-1 39, Williams 1-2-0 10

RECEIVING -- W: Flack 1-16, Werner 1-4, Orr 2-60 D: Bradshaw 3-39, Hanley 1-10