Saints let 13-point lead slip away

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on August 29, 2010 1:51 AM

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DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne, for the second straight week, took a convincing early lead.

The Saints, for the second straight time, suffered a loss.

Wilson Beddingfield scored three times in the second half en route to a 17-13, non-conference win at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex on Friday night.

"We just did not execute the way we can," said Southern Wayne head coach Bob Warren. "I thought the defense did a great job of keeping us in the ballgame throughout, but we completely stalled on offense in the second half."

The game started with promise for the home team as Beddingfield elected to attempt a fake punt on the opening possession, but failed to get the first down. Southern Wayne got possession at the Bruins' 25-yard line and immediately moved the ball into scoring position.

JaQuan Cobb capped the short drive with a three-yard plunge into the end zone. Jesus Rodriquez delivered the extra point to give the Saints a 7-0 lead.

Beddingfield answered two series later when Wesley Johnson found Donnie Thomas on an 18-yard scoring strike. A poor snap led to a missed extra point and allowed the Saints to retain the advantage.

Southern Wayne increased the margin at the end of the second quarter when Quintin Smith heaved a 35-yard pass to Colton Chrisman with just three seconds left on the first half clock. As soon as the ball was spotted and whistled ready for play, Cobb toted the pigskin the final yard to the end zone.

The Saints' 13-6 halftime lead melted away late in the third quarter.

After a fumble gave the Bruins excellent field position just outside the Saints' red zone, running back Monteith Lucas tossed a perfect pass to Daquan Langston in the corner of the end zone to pull the visitors within one point.

"Fumbles really cost us tonight," said Warren. "Twice our defense did a good job of stopping a drive, and a play or two later the offense gave the ball right back."

A fumble on the ensuing kickoff pinned the Saints inside their own five-yard line. One play later, the Beddingfield defense broke through and recorded the go-ahead safety on a hard tackle by C.J. Harris. Ahead 14-13, the Bruins got the ball on a free kick and moved into scoring range.

Patrick Owens capped the game's scoring with a 42-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

"I have seen Patrick hit them from that far in practice," said Bruins' head coach Tyrone Johnson. "I told him if we got a chance that he could try it and he made me look good with that kick."

Southern Wayne had two chances to potentially win the game, but a turnover on downs and an interception in the final minute negated those opportunities.

Andrew Matthews finished as the Saints' leading rusher with 68 yards on 16 carries. Cobb added 25 yards on 12 totes and two touchdowns. Smith completed three passes for 57 yards.

Southern Wayne (0-2 overall) entertains defending state 1-A champion Wallace-Rose Hill on Friday.