Bucs close out Bobcats, 26-7

Dan Parriene
The Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD August 30, 2008 02:44 am

— For three quarters the Orangefield Bobcats scratched and clawed to stay close to the East Chambers Buccaneers. Two big plays, however, by the Buccaneers broke things open to give East Chambers the win Friday night 26-7 at F. L. McClain Stadium.
With the score 14-0 after halftime, Orangefield (0-1) capitalized on an East Chambers’ fumble on the first play of the second half. The Bobcats took over at the Buccaneers’ 23 and needed 8 plays to cut the lead in half.
The Bobcats’ Zach Peevey picked up one first down on a fourth-and-one. Jace Statum passed 12 yards to Derek Evans to setup a first-and-goal at the one. Steven Stone plowed into the endzone on the next play. Evans’ kick made the score 14-7 with 8:23 to play in the third quarter.
The momentum remained in Orangefield’s direction until late in the third period. On third down from their own 40, East Chambers (1-0) ran a basic end run which appeared to pick up a first down. The ball carrier Jacoby Carrington appeared stopped and surrounded by Bobcats near the Orangefield sideline. The elusive Carrington broke free and then sprinted the last 45 yards for the score. The try for two failed, and the Buccaneers had upped their lead to 13 points.
On their next possession the Buccaneers took over at their own 13. After a short run on first down they gave the football to their stellar running back Donte Raymond on a straight up the middle running play. Raymond slashed through a small opening and then raced untouched for an 84-yard touchdown. East Chambers tried to pass for two, but failed bringing the final score to 26-7.
East Chambers used a basic ground game the first time it had the ball to take the early lead. Raymond cut loose for 28 yards on the game’s first play from scrimmage to move the ball into Orangefield territory.
Raymond ran three more times totalling 23 yards, the last 4 yards picked up a first down on fourth-and-one. Carrington scored on the next play with a 20-yard quarterback scamper from the spread formation. The two-point conversion failed, and the Buccaneers led 6-0 with 5:42 to play in the first quarter.
Orangefield got some good yardage in the first half running the ball. Peevey was the workhorse running the ball 10 times for 31 yards in the half. Peevey finished the game with 20 carries for 77 yards.
The Bobcats struggled early throwing the football. Quarterback Statum completed 1 of 9 in the first half for 19 yards. An interception by the Buccaneers foiled Orangefield’s opening drive which had penetrated to the East Chambers’ 37.
Twice in the second quarter the Bobcats’ defense stopped East Chambers deep in the Orangefield end of the field. After another Raymond run of 21 yards gave the Bucs a first down at the Orangefield 32, the Bobcats stiffened. This time on fourth-and-1 Raymond came up inches short of the first down.
On the next Buccaneer possession, East Chambers threw the football. Shuttling quarterbacks Trey Lambert and Hank Jones, the Buccaneers completed passes of 21 yards and 28 yards to setup a first and goal at the Orangefield 6.
The Bobcats’ Kade Foreman made a key defensive play batting down a pass at the goalline. On fourth and goal from the 10, Carrington was gang-tackled at the 6.
Unable to move the ball Orangefield was forced to punt and gave East Chambers good field position at the Bobcats’ 40. The Buccaneers needed just 3 plays to score. Raymond got 2 yards, and then Hanks connected with Andrew Edgerly for 23 yards to the Orangefield 15. Carrington scored on the next play and scored on the two-point conversion to make the eventual halftime score 14-0 in favor of East Chambers.
Next week Orangefield plays at home against longtime rival the Buna Cougars. East Chambers will play at home against the Newton Eagles.

East Chambers 26, Orangefield 7
OF 0 0 7 0 — 7
EC 6 8 6 6 — 26
Scoring summary
EC-Jacoby Carrington 20 run. Run failed.
EC-Carrington 15 run. Carrington run.
OF-Steven Stone 1 run. Derek Evans kick.
EC-Carrington 60 run. Run failed.
EC-Donte Raymond 84 run. Pass failed.

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OF EC
First downs 10 14
Rushes-yards 35-69 38-300
Passing 53 84
Comp-Att-Int 5-17-1 5-9-0
Fumbles-Lost 2-0 2-1
Penalties-Yards5-25 2-15

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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Orangefield, Zach Peevey 20-77, Josh Shores 1-2, Chase Parker 1-2, Steven Stone 2-1, Jace Statum 11-(-13); East Chambers, Donte Raymond 19-196, Jacoby Carrington 9-121, Trey Lambert 4-8, Anthony Ortiz 2-(-7), Hank Jones 4-(-18).
PASSING— Orangefield, Jace Statum 5-17-1-53. East Chambers, Hank Jones 3-5-0 35, Trey Lambert 2-3-0 49, Donte Raymond 0-1-0 0.
RECEIVING—Orangefield, Derek Evans 4-43, Wesley Wiggins 1-10; East Chambers, Andrew Edgerly 2-32, Donte Raymond 1-28, Justin Hallmark 1-21, Brock LaVergne 1-3.