Dreher wins big over Fox Creek without Armstrong
Dreher lost star starting quarterback Avery Armstrong eight plays into Thursday’s season-opening game against Fox Creek, but the Blue Devils still rolled 42-13 over the scrappy 1A Predators.
Armstrong, a senior, left with concussion-like symptoms on a hit by Fox Creek’s Dalton Swires at 9:25 of the first quarter. Matthew Campbell played well in Armstrong’s place, running for one touchdown and throwing for another score.
Coach Treigh Sullivan said he had no word on Armstrong’s status.
TURNING POINT
After Fox Creek opened the scoring on the first play of the second quarter, the Dreher defense took charge. The Predators finished with minus-23 yards for the rest of the first half. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils offense scored 21 unanswered points in the final 7:33 of the half.
KEY PERFORMERS
Jay Washington: Dreher sophomore RB had an impressive varsity debut, rushing for 96 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.
Matthew Campbell: Dreher reserve QB filled in admirably, tossing a 71-yard scoring pass and adding one touchdown run.
Malik Hightower: Fox Creek WR had a big game with six catches for 101 yards.
OBSERVATIONS
Campbell to the rescue: It’s not easy having an untried varsity rookie step into a pressure situation, but junior left-hander Matthew Campbell held his own running the Dreher offense. He’s no Avery Armstrong, but he answered the call with a solid performance. Campbell also handled all of the Blue Devils’ kicking chores.
Plush turf: The Memorial Stadium playing surface was in beautiful shape. The grass was lush and green.
THEY SAID IT
“When it became clear that Avery wasn’t going to play, I knew we had to rely on the offensive line and run the football. I thought we did a pretty good job.” Dreher coach Treigh Sullivan.
KEY NUMBERS
380: Dreher’s total offensive output featured 267 yards rushing.
3: Dreher backs ran for 70 yards or more. Washington, Lamar Sims and Earl Preddy combined for 240 yards.
51: The number of yards lost by Fox Creek on two wayward snaps.
HOW THEY SCORED
2nd Quarter:
FC – KJ Green 9 run (Matthew Ray kick), 11:53
D – Jay Washington 8 run (Matthew Campbell kick), 7:33
D – Lamar Sims 1 run (Campbell kick), 3:10
D – Washington 2 run (Campbell kick), 0:33
3rd Quarter:
D: Campbell 1 run (Campbell kick), 9:05
D: Anthony Salters 71 pass from Campbell (Campbell kick), 3:22
4th Quarter:
D – Washington 1 run (Campbell kick), 5:54
FC – Green 1 run (kick failed), 1:24
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: FC: Green 8-33, Swires 13-54. D: Sims 12-70, Washington 16-96, Salters 2-32, Preddy 10-74, Armstrong 4-15.
Passing: FC: Charlton 10-22-0-140. D: Campbell 4-6-0-84, Armstrong 2-3-0-29.
Receiving: FC: Hightower 6-101, Herrin 3-30. D: Goodwin 3-29, Salters 1-71.
This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 11:44 PM with the headline "Dreher wins big over Fox Creek without Armstrong."