Lee (4-2) defeated Sandalwood (7-1) Friday Night 14-7 in front of a packed homecoming crowd. Sandalwood was previously undefeated at 7-0 and many did not hesitate when picking them tonight over Lee. But the Generals had other plans and it showed during the game.
Starting QB Eli Peters not playing vs Lee due to ankle injury. Sources tell us he is resting for Mandarin next week. pic.twitter.com/99FBSyRfvo
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) October 10, 2015
Sandalwood was without starting Quarterback Eli Peters who suffered an ankle injury last week. He did not dress for this game. That meant Sophmore Quarterback Kyle Smith got the nod for the Saints. It took Smith some time to get acclimated to the speed of the game but he would settle down and strike first for the Saints. Smith hooked up with WR RZ McCorker on a 45 yard pass to put the Saints up 7-0.
Rz Mccorker with the TD reception from QB Kyle Smith! Saints strike first 7-0 4min to go 2nd pic.twitter.com/R3E8aeF9lb
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) October 9, 2015
Up until this point in the game the defenses ruled the contest as both units created several turnover on downs just outside each other’s redzones. The sudden burst of offense was contagious as Lee march right down the field on the ensuing drive and scored on a 1 yard QB blast by Derek Jones. At the half it was 7-6 Sandalwood.
Derek Jones with the QB keep for the TD 7-6 Saints still lead Generals pic.twitter.com/tveMTDvtcD
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) October 10, 2015
In the third, Sandalwood controlled the time of possession and the tempo of the game by running the ball with Logan Wright. Wright pounded the ball between the twenties, gaining small junks of yards to move the chains. But the Saints could not sustain their drives and failed to put any points on the board. Even after a great interception by SS Brayden Matts, the Saints still wern’t able to translate that momentum into points. As the game wore on Sandalwood seemed to be more concerned with not losing, and Lee became more determined on winning.
4th qtr Saints content on pounding it with Wright to protect the lead. pic.twitter.com/HlGKjSVbLe
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) October 10, 2015
Brayden Matts with the pick! Saints still lead 7-6 9 min 4th pic.twitter.com/bUiNItfqJe
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) October 10, 2015
Late in the fourth quarter Lee got the benefit of a pass interference call which placed the ball deep into Saints territory. Then on 3rd down, Jones hit WR Tyreke Thomas on a crossing pattern for the go ahead touchdown. Tony Belle added the two point conversion to put the Generals up by seven. Lee’s defense would step up on the final drive of the game, as Smith scrambled to avoid Lee’s rushers but was sacked ending the game.
Derek Jones to Tyreke Thomas to put Lee up 14-7 over Sandalwood 1:41 to play pic.twitter.com/MbIPVdFl2B
— DuvalSports (@DuvalSports) October 10, 2015
The loss for Sandalwood hurt those who wanted an undefeated season and city bragging rights for the Saints. But the Saint’s powers that be are clearly playing for the district title against Mandarin next week after sitting Peters. For Lee they had nothing to lose and everything to gain and they played like it. They felt like no one gave them a chance, and were motivated to spoil the Saints homecoming. They caught the Saints slipping and did just that.
