Prep football -- Turnovers plague Gators

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on September 5, 2004 2:01 AM

• Print
• Email

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Turnovers kept Spring Creek out of the game all night as Midway rolled to a 43-0 victory Friday.

The Gators continually hurt their own cause as all six of their turnovers resulted in Midway points.

A neck injury to star receiver Lelo Burt early in the game forced the Gators to go to their running attack as they were unable to complete a pass all night. Burt has been the focal point of the Spring Creek offense this season, and his injury in the first quarter was detrimental to the Gators' ability to move the ball.

"He's big for us," said Gators head coach Roy Whitfield. "I think he just snapped his neck and should be ok for next week."

Midway's offense moved the ball well on the ground and through the air. Josh Crumpler threw for 121 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders also brought a balanced running attack, totaling 170 yards from six different rushers. Ed McDuffie led the way, running for 68 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

Whitfield says that he doesn't plan to change the offensive strategy in the Gators' upcoming game at Lakewood.

"My philosophy has always been that you have to run the ball to be successful. We just have to hold on to it," he said. "Our four turnovers in the first half led to their four scores."

Ricky Mason led the Spring Creek offense with 63 yards on 15 carries.

Spring Creek's defense forced consecutive three-and-outs early in the game. After the first quarter, however, it slowly broke down after being backed in its own territory for most of the game.

If anything, Friday's contest made clear how important Burt is to Spring Creek's success. Senior Quarterback Mychael King, who opened the season with a career-best 258-yard performance against Heide Trask, finished 0-for-8 with two interceptions.

The Gators rushed for only 85 yards on 28 carries, and only once found themselves in Midway territory.

Spring Creek (0-3) attempts to snap a nine-game skid against the Leopards next week. Lakewood, of the Class 1-A Super Six Conference, leads the all-time series 3-0.

Midway 0 25 15 3 -- 43

Spring Creek 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Second quarter

M -- Crumpler 1 run (kick failed), 9:05

M -- Crumper 1 run (pass failed), 6:38

M -- Beard 14 pass from Crumpler (kick blocked), 4:26

M -- Beard 27 pass from Crumpler (McPhail kick), 1:54

Third quarter

M -- McDuffie 41 run (Beard pass from Crumpler), 11:40

M -- Blue 15 run (McPhail kick), 7:11

Fourth quarter

M -- McPhail 23 FG, 6:03

Midway SCHS

First downs 13 7

Rushes-yds 35-170 28-85

Passing yards 121 0

Total yards 291 85

Att.-Comp.-Int. 12-8-0 8-0-2

Fumbles-lost 2-1 5-4

Punts 2 3

Penalties-yds 4-40 7-60

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Midway -- Ed McDuffie 7-68, TD; Brandon Elder 9-35; Todd Blue 3-23; Odell Williams 6-23, TD; Josh Crumpler 8-18, 2 TD; Ryan Butler 2-3. Spring Creek -- Ricky Mason 15-63; Lelo Burt 2-12; Josh Wright 5-6; David Estrada 2-3; Mychael King 1-5; Jason Buchtman 2-(-1); Orlando Grantham 1-(-3).

PASSING -- Midway -- Josh Crumpler 8-12-0 121, 2 TD. Spring Creek -- Mychael King 0-8-2 0.

RECEVING -- Midway -- Wilson Beard 2-41, 2 TDs; Jason Bryant 4-49; Eric Gainer 1-19; Odell Williams 1-12.