Topsail 28 Ashley 24
Down by three scores midway through the second quarter, Topsail ran off 25 unanswered points to grab a 28-24 triumph against Ashley in Hampstead on Thursday.
The Screaming Eagles sprinted to a 24-3 advantage thanks to a pair of touchdowns by Corey Whaley. Logan Black capped the opening possession with a nine yard touchdown to give Ashley a 6-0 lead before Jorge Lopez hit the first of three field goals on the ensuing drive to cut the deficit to three.
Big plays on the next few possessions for Ashley helped the garnet and gold grab control as Freddie Thames went 80 yards around the right edge for the 12-3 cushion. Jacob Reed also hit Whaley on a 68 yard touchdown toss on the first pass attempt of the game and Whaley made it a 24-3 lead on his second score, a 12 yard run.
Adam Pacheco took the subsequent kickoff 79 yards to the house to give Topsail life, while Jacob Floyd went to the air and found Trey Brown on a seven yard score late in the first half to pull the Pirates to within, 24-15.
A 15-play drive on the opening possession of the second half pulled Topsail to within two after freshman Noah Lavelle scored a five yard touchdown. Lavalle had over 125 yards rushing in the game.
A 35-yard field goal by Lopez with 9:32 left in the game put the Pirates in front and Lopez converted his final attempt to make it a four-point lead as the final drive for Ashley came up short.
Topsail moved to 1-2 in conference and 3-5 overall. The Pirates snapped a four-game skid heading into a bye week before playing at South Brunswick on Friday, Oct. 21.
Ashley dropped its fourth straight, falling to 0-2 in conference and 2-4 overall. The Screaming Eagles get back on the field at home against South Brunswick on Friday, Oct. 14.
