South River Beats Broadneck, 42-28

South River coach Lance Clelland spoke about believing in evidence, evidence that his team can play with any team in the county. The Seahawks now have some evidence.

Behind 178 rushing yards and four touchdowns from junior running back Lavon Chaney, South River (2-1) defeated Broadneck (1-2), 42-28, on Friday.

"We're getting better every week and that's what I pride myself on and my coaching staff prides ourselves on," Clelland said.

South River forced three turnovers by the Bruins, recovering two fumbles and intercepting one pass, never letting the visitors get comfortable on offense.

Chaney countered Darnell Soloman's early touchdown catch for the Bruins with touchdown runs of 12 yards and four yards to give the Seahawks a 14-7 lead after one quarter of play.

"I think we turned out real good. [We] came out strong [and] believed [in ourselves]," Chaney said.

After each team began the second quarter with a turnover, Broadneck's Brady George tossed a 46-yard pass Travue Jackson to put the Bruins in scoring position. Twenty-two seconds later, Bryan Gilmer broke the plane and tied the game at 14-14.

A Broadneck fumble, recovered by Chaney with 19.7 seconds left in the first half, was just enough time for the Seahawks take back the lead. Junior quarterback Connor Cox found senior receiver Mike Strange in the corner of the endzone for the go-ahead score as time expired on the half.

"We turned the ball over too many times, that's a major issue," Broadneck coach Rob Harris said. 

Chaney made it three scores on the night, fielding a third-quarter punt at his own 20-yard line and then taking off for an 80-yard punt return touchdown.

After forcing a third consecutive Broadneck punt, the Seahawks got the ball back and Chaney finished the drive off again. A 32-yard hookup from Cox to Strange put the Seahawks in range for Chaney to score on a 21-yard touchdown run, as South River took a 35-14 lead.

"Defense did a great job," Clelland said.

Cox and Strange would connect one more time to start the fourth quarter, this time on a 10-yard slant route for a score. By this time the Seahawks had built up a commanding 42-14 lead.

In a hurry to play catch up, the Broadneck offense kept fighting and would make up two scores.

"One of the big things about our team is that we never give up," George said.

George took a one-yard carry in for a score and threw a touchdown to Zach Franco, with just over a minute to play.

But when Strange recovered an onside kick attempt, he sealed the win for his team.

Next Friday, South River faces its biggest test to date - a game at Arundel High. The high flying Wildcats sit atop the county standings at 3-0.

"Coach Markiewicz and Arundel represent the top of this county. If you can measure yourselves against them, then you're doing alright," Clelland said.

Notes: After going 0-4 on extra points, senior Matthew Cobb converted all six of his attempts against Broadneck. Chaney has now returned a punt for a touchdown in two straight games. Broadneck's two second-quarter turnovers were recovered by two of the Seahawks offensive stars (Strange intercepted a pass, Chaney recovered a fumble).