More News

The opening quarter for Northwestern High's football team Saturday afternoon against Laurel was a disaster. The Wildcats fumbled the opening kickoff and had the ball stripped on their second play from scrimmage.

But Northwestern was able to overcome the early miscues and hold on for a 7-6 victory over the Spartans in the County 4A League contest in Hyattsville. It snapped a three-game losing skid for the Wildcats (3-6).

"We got a couple of teams at the top of the league and everybody else is playing ball," said Northwestern coach Bryan Pierre. "Week in and week out, we're all at an even level."

Unbeaten Henry A. Wise and Suitland and Charles H. Flowers (both 8-1) head the County 4A League standings with Eleanor Roosevelt at 6-3. Those four teams have clinched spots in the 4A South Region playoffs.

The second tier is relatively balanced with five teams holding four or three victories heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Northwestern hosts Bowie (4-5) on Saturday.

Scoring has been a problem the last several seasons for the Wildcats, who have reached double digits in just three games this fall. Northwestern scored 122 points in 10 games last year, and has 88 points through nine games this year. Northwestern coach Bryan Pierre decided to revamp the offense, moving Guillermo Herrera from quarterback to running back, and junior Diamond Hansford to quarterback. Marcus Adams, who started the season on the line, is now getting carries in the backfield.

"The guys in the backfield want the ball," said Adams, who rushed for 39 yards Saturday, including a game-clinching 11-yard run late in the final quarter. "I'm an athlete and we needed guys who want to win."

"We met as coaches and said we needed to get outside the box," said Pierre. "Last week, Marcus returned two kicks to the 50-yard line. We figured let's put the ball in his hands a couple of times. He's a tough kid and a team leader, so when we makes a big play, the whole team rises up."

Adams helped spearhead a solid defensive effort as the Wildcats denied Laurel on three possessions that reached the Northwestern 30-yard line in the first quarter and a half. Senior Marquise Blackwell recovered a fumble and was in on a sack, and Joshua Douglass also had a fumble recovery. Kenneth Younger and Jamal Hayden each recorded a sack.

The Spartans (3-6) only managed 22 yards as Zane Carroll's first-quarter touchdown pass to Jamil DeHonney was their only score. For Laurel coach Brian Moore, it was arguably the Spartans' most disappointing setback.

"All I see is the ball on the ground," said Moore, whose team lost two first-half fumbles and failed to cross midfield in the second half. "We got off the bus fully intending to win. We were bigger and more athletic in spots, but it just didn't bounce our way."   

The loss ended Laurel's chance for the program's first .500 season since 1996. The Spartans, who won two games last season, will shoot for their fourth win of 2009 as they close the season Saturday against DuVal (5-4).

"It may be tough for me because of the seniors that might not have a future playing in college," said Moore. "I either go the route saying ‘this is your last game, go out on good note,' or I'll be fighting the villain where they say forget it. We got some good kids, and they're going to fight hard."