Lee Trawick
reporter2@riverbendnews.org
The senior class of the Lafayette High School has never walked by the Hornets trophy case without seeing a rivalry helmet between the Buccaneers and the Hornets there. However, the Hornets put that streak on the line Friday, Sept. 29, on Clive Sikes Field at Buccaneers Stadium.
Both teams entered the game with a 3-1 record and were eager to strap on their helmets and plant their hands in the dirt. Hornets Head Coach, Marcus Edwards, is aware of the streak between the two teams, and while he takes pride in the rivalry helmet remaining at Lafayette High School, there is a big distinction between the streak and retaining the Helmet. “The previous teams have created the streak, and previous teams have held control of the helmet, this team hasn't won anything,” Coach Edwards said. “They have to go out there and win it themselves Friday night.”
In a rivalry game as close to the heart as it is between the Hornets and Buccaneers, records nor streaks play a factor in these types of games. Hornets quarterback, Tywan Williamson, and Buccaneers quarterback, Thomas Sikes, have been childhood friends since they have been playing organized sports. The same can be said for many of the players lining up against one another. However, friendships no longer exist when the coin is tossed at the 50 yardline before the game.
It did not take long for the Hornets to establish themselves as the dominate team. Jamarien Ervin carried the ball five straight plays for 56 yards that was capped off with a two yard touchdown run just one minute and 20 seconds into the game, to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead. Ervin would go on to score three more rushing touchdowns from 23, two and five yards out and rush for a total of 155 rushing yards on the night, all in the first half. Ervin, a two-way player for the Hornets collected six tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. Ervin was all over the field and the Buccaneers could not get away from him nor could they tackle him.
The Buccaneers responded to the Hornets opening drive, by driving down the field on the Hornets defense to close the gap 7-6. Sikes led the Buccaneers on a nine play drive completing seven passes with a six yard touchdown pass to Damian Herrera. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers missed the extra point opportunity, leaving the Hornets with a 7-6 lead. Then, on the Hornets next possession, Haiden Ward put a stop to the Hornets drive when he intercepted the Hornets pass from Williamson. With the score 7-6, the tide seemed to be swaying in the Buccaneers favor. Only to see the Buccaneers fumble the ball away on their first play. The Buccaneers would go on to commit three more turnovers in the first half in which the Hornets capitalized with 22 points off the Buccaneers turnovers.
After the Buccaneers first scoring drive, the Hornets defense dominated the Buccaneers offensive line. The Buccaneers averaged 128.3 rushing yards per game, entering the contest. Only to see the Hornets defense hold the Buccaneers to negative five yards rushing on the night. Sikes, found early success with short passes to his receivers. However, the Hornets made adjustments on the Buccaneers second series that helped the Hornets weather the storm by the Buccaneers. Sikes finished the night completing only five of his last 22 passing attempts, 12 completion on 31 attempts for 97 yards with one passing touchdown and one interception.
With the score 7-6, midway through the first quarter, Ervin found the endzone a second time, from 23 yards out. After a second fumble by the Buccaneers, Williamson connected with Jalen Hill for 31 yard pass completion to the Buccaneers one yardline. Williamson would cap off the drive with a one yard touchdown run of his own to give the Hornets 20-6 at the end of the first quarter. Williamson would go on to lead the Hornets by connecting on six of his 12 passes for 99 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Williamson would also rush for 46 yards with one touchdown.
In the second quarter, after the teams swapped two turnovers apiece, the Hornets got things figured out when Ervin found the endzone from two yards outs for his third touchdown of the night. Ervin would go on to add his fourth touchdown with just 55 seconds remaining until halftime. Also joining the scoring action was Travis Hutson for the Hornets when he added a touchdown from two yards out in the second quarter.
With a 34-6 lead to begin the second half, the Hornets wasted no time forcing the Buccaneers to punt after three plays. Williamson found Parker Hill streaking down the Buccaneers sideline for a 37 yard touchdown pass behind the Buccaneers defenders. The Hornets, Dayne McCray, capped off the night for the Hornets by crossing the half century mark when he scored the final touchdown of the night to give the Hornets a 53-6 victory over the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers (3-2) will travel to Trenton to take on the Tigers (3-2) on Friday, Oct. 6, at 7:30. p.m. While the Hornets (4-1) will return home to take on the Fort White Indians (4-1) on Friday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m.