WILMINGTON-The environment was electric at Holiday Stadium Friday night for the Mid-eastern conference opener between Hoggard and Laney. Both teams knew coming into the contest that it was going to take four quarters of play to get the win. After four turnovers, 700 total yards and a game-tying touchdown with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the packed crowd in Buctown had to wait to find out who was going to come out on top.
The Vikings and Bucs traded blows like two heavyweights with Sheldon Cooper scoring on a one-yard touchdown run in overtime to put the game away for Hoggard, 40-34. Cooper finished the day with 13 carries and three trips to the end zone.
With Laney up by six late in the fourth quarter, Hoggard coach Scott Braswell knew he could trust his experience in the backfield. Senior quarterback Christian Poveromo engineered the two-minute offense to perfection, capping the drive off with a fourth-down, 39-yard screen pass to Keevin Thompson for the tying score.
“You have to give the kids credit, for battling, continuing to fight and finding a way to win,” said Braswell. “It’s one of those games where it’s a shame someone had to lose. Laney’s kids played their hearts out, too.”
Laney’s quick-strike offense kept the Vikings in check for most of the night as Tariq Lane rushed for 165 yards and threw for three touchdowns. Turnovers did plague the sophomore quarterback as Lane threw two interceptions and fumbled the snap on a crucial goal line play in overtime.
With the Bucs leading 27-21 early in the fourth after a Ryan Miller touchdown, another senior stepped up for Hoggard as Ryan Edmonds took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for the score.
“Ryan Edmonds has done just a great job,” said Braswell. “When he came in, I thought man, he’s a small guy, I’m not sure he can compete at this level, yet you saw him excel here tonight.” Edmonds is listed generously on the roster at five foot seven, 150 pounds.
For most of the first half it was the team’s defenses that stood strong, but with less than a minute to play in the second quarter, Lane connected with Miller for his first touchdown of the night. Hoggard answered with a nine-play, 70-yard drive and a touchdown by Cooper to start the second half.
The Vikings remain unbeaten at 6-0 overall (1-0 conference) and next week will travel to New Bern. Laney fell to 4-2 overall, (0-1 conference). The Bucs play at Greenville Rose Friday.
Hoggard 7-0-14-13 6 40
Laney 7-6-7-14 0 34
First Quarter:
Laney-Jeavonne Batts 14 run, (PAT) 5:51
Hoggard-Sheldon Cooper 1 run, (PAT) 1:26
Second Quarter:
Laney-Ryan Miller 10 pass from Tariq Lane, (missed PAT):59
Third Quarter:
Hoggard-Sheldon Cooper 5 run, (PAT) 9:28
Laney-Carlos Mack 39 pass from Tariq Lane, (PAT) 8:47
Hoggard-Ryan Edmonds 13 pass from Christian Poveromo, (PAT) 7:13
Fourth Quarter:
Laney-Ryan Miller 29 pass from Tariq Lane, (PAT) 11:18
Hoggard-Ryan Edmonds 85 kickoff return, (PAT) 11:08
Laney– Carlos Mack 18 interception return, (PAT) 8:39
Hoggard-Keevin Thompson 39 pass from Christian Poveromo, (missed PAT) 1:39
Overtime:
Hoggard– Sheldon Cooper 2 run
Hoggard Stats-Total Yards-272, First Downs: 18
Laney Stats-Total Yards-467, First Downs-21
Individual Leaders: Passing-(Hoggard) Christian Poveromo 14- 32-192, 2 TD, 1 INT, (Laney) Tariq Lane 16-26-202, 3 TD, 2 INT, Rushing-(Hoggard)Sheldon Cooper 13-50, 3 TD, Keevin Thompson 10-40, (Laney) Jaevonne Betts 12-45, 1 TD, Lane 21-165 yards, fumble, Receiving-(Hoggard)Ryan Edmonds 5-34, 1 TD, Seth Thomas 3-35, Keevin Thompson 1-39, 1 TD, (Laney)David Miller 5-82, 2 TD, Carlos Mack 3-46, TD Special Teams-Ryan Edmonds 85 yard TD kickoff return
