Suffolk News-Herald

Anthony Stewart caught only two passes in Lakeland’s 28-20 victory over visiting Nansemond River in junior varsity football action Monday night, but they ended up sealing the game for the young Cavaliers. After quarterback Donte Myrick hit Stewart with a 15-yard touchdown pass to put Lakeland ahead 28-14 with seven minutes to go, Stewart snatched an interception in the Lakeland end zone as the clock ticked down to zero.

Dan Miller returned the opening kickoff 73 yards to put the Warriors ahead 8-0, and Steve Wilson hurtled up the middle for a one-yard score to up the lead to 14-0 with 1:53 to play in the first half. After that, the Cavaliers took over.

Demetrius Bailey returned the ensuing kickoff 51 yards to the Warrior 28, and Donte Myrick snuck around the left end to get all the way to the six. After a timeout, Bailey ran around the right end to score, and Donte Myrick lunged across the goal line for the extra points, cutting the advantage to 14-8 at halftime.

Dominique Myrick, Teron Bell, Bailey and Stewart rushed for 25 yards on the opening drive of the second half, giving Lakeland a first down at the Warrior 45.

Donte Myrick took an option around the right side. A tackler smashed into him at the line of scrimmage, but the Cavalier managed to stay on his feet. Surrounded by blockers, he charged down the sideline, not stopping until he’d tied the score less than four minutes into the third quarter. Jeff Gilmet kicked the extra point, and Lakeland was on top, 15-14.

On first down, Frank Eley leaped through the River line to snatch the ball, giving Lakeland possession at the River 18. Bailey and Bell carried to the 12, and Dominique Myrick took a delayed handoff through the left side of the line for a touchdown. One kick by Gilmet later, the score was 22-14.

The Lakeland defense held River without a first down, and got the ball back at the Warrior 42. An illegal motion penalty knocked them back five yards, but Donte Myrick scuttled through the line to reach the 29, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave Lakeland 15 more yards. The Warriors kept Lakeland at bay for five plays, but Stewart caught his touchdown pass moments into the fourth quarter for a 28-14 lead.

Miller carried on eight of 12 Warrior plays on the next drive, culminating in a one-yard dash around the right end for his second touchdown. Nick Wellons stopped Miller on the two-point conversion, but River was back within striking distance.

The fired-up Warriors held the Cavaliers, and got the ball back at midfield with a minute to play. Miller ran to the Cavalier 38, then to the 27. He was stopped for no gain on third down, and the Warriors hurried to the line with the clock ticking past 10 seconds.

Justin Topping faded back, and threw a long lob to Daryl Freeney in the endzone. At the last second, Stewart leaped high into the air, snared the pick, and completed his team’s victory.