WILMINGTON–On a night when 42 seniors were recognized for contributions to the New Hanover football program, it was more than just a game for many people on the sidelines at Legion Stadium. While the pregame festivities kept the crowd’s attention, New Hanover head coach Kevin Motsinger took time in the locker room to reflect on some of the good times they’ve had on the football field.
“I’ve done this a long time, but this was a special night,” said Motsinger. “Before the game, the seniors were telling stories, reminiscing. Tonight wasn’t about football—it was about a bunch of young boys becoming young men, as a team.”
After forcing a three and out on Laney’s first possession, Ward Coleman connected with Ramone Simpson on a 25-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead. The Bucs quick strike offense answered right back with a score of their own as Tariq Lane engineered an 11-play 69-yard drive in a just more than four minutes capped off with a 35-yard pass to Carlos Mack.
Laney recovered the ensuing pooch kick and capitalized off the turnover as Lane threw his second touchdown pass of night, this time on a 25-yard bullet to Neyemiah Miller. Trailing 14-7, Motsinger pulled his team together to regain some composure.
“They’ve got very good players and are a very good football team,” Motsinger said. “We just settled down and played the next play.”
The Wildcats rose to the occasion and put up 38 unanswered points in the 45-14 win. Four different players found the end zone with senior Jacen Murphy tying the game on 56-yard run with 2:45 to go in the first quarter. Coleman then found another senior in standout Trevon Brown on 42-yard touchdown pass to give New Hanover the lead 21-14.
“That’s what we’ve done all year long. We’ve got a lot of talent,” said Motsinger. “Coach Raynor (offensive coordinator) does a great job, and Ward Coleman is going to be a great player. He’s got some guys around him, Trevon Brown’s pretty special, Ramone Simpson’s a junior, and he’s pretty special.”
Jacquel Holliday intercepted a pass from Lane late in the first half, and took it 30 yards for the score. Holliday has been dealing with the loss of his grandmother, who passed away earlier this week.
“It really wasn’t about football tonight. I told him (Jacquel) that he’d have a play,” added Motsinger. “It’s funny how life works out sometimes. Tonight was just very extraordinary.”
New Hanover scored on the opening drive of the third quarter as Montrell Baldwin scampered into the end zone on a 2-yard run. The senior had a big night for the Wildcats with 15 carries for 65 yards and two scores. Coleman finished 13 of 21 for 186 yards passing and two touchdowns. For the Bucs, Lane was unable to muster anything on the ground as New Hanover’s defense was able to contain the speedy quarterback. Jeavonne Batts did carry the ball 19 times for 142-yards in the loss.
New Hanover (7-1, 2-1) will travel out to Greenville next Friday for a conference game against Rose.
Laney (4-4, 0-3) has now dropped three straight and will have another tough match up next week against Mideastern Conference powerhouse in 7-0 New Bern.
Laney 14-0-0-0= 14
New Hanover 21-17-7-0= 45
Scoring summary
First quarter-
NHHS– Ramone Simpson 25-yard pass from Ward Coleman (PAT); 8:58
Laney-Carlos Mack 35-yard pass from Tariq Lane (PAT); 4:31
Laney– Neyemiah Miller 15-yard pass from Tariq Lane (PAT); 2:45
NHHS-Jacen Murphy 56-yard run (PAT); 2:29
NHHS-Trevon Brown 42-yard pass from Ward Coleman (PAT); :14
Second quarter-
NHHS-Montrell Baldwin 2- yard run (PAT); 9:32
NHHS– Alan Wells 22-yard field goal; 3:18
NHHS -Jacquel Holliday 30-yard INT return (PAT); 3:02
Third Quarter–
NHHS-Montrell Baldwin 1-yard run (PAT): 8:37
NHHS stats– Total yards-421; first downs, 19
Laney stats– Total yards-227; first downs, 10
Individual leaders–Passing (NHHS) Ward Coleman 13-21-186, 2 TD; (Laney) Tariq Lane 8-25-91, 2 TD, INT; Rushing (NHHS) Montrell Baldwin 15-65, 2 TD; Ramone Simpson 8-96; Jacen Murphy 2-57, TD; (Laney) Jeavonne Batts 19-142; Receiving (NHHS) Trevon Brown 4-114, TD; Jacen Murphy 3-22; Ramone Simpson 3-32, TD; (Laney) Carlos Mack 5-90, TD; Neyemiah Miller 2-22, TD; RJ Pearsall 1-5; Defense (NHHS) Jacquel Holliday 30-yard INT return; Special Teams (NHHS) Alan Wells 22-yard FG.
