Sack attack defense stymies Pleasantville, backup QB leads Ocean City to win
OCEAN CITY – As the sun was setting on the first day of the Battle at the Beach, its final matchup saw the hometown Ocean City High School Red Raiders defeat the visiting Pleasantville Greyhounds 14-6 off late-game heroics by a trio of players.
The game has traditionally been played on Thanksgiving Day, but moved up this year for the Battle at the Beach, a three-day tournament at Carey Stadium featuring a dozen games.
“It’s a special environment. It’s a special game,” Ocean City head coach Kevin Smith said shortly after the victory. “It is a cool event so we feel we are still playing them in cool venues.”
The Raider Nation student section was packed and screaming as Pleasantville kicked off to the Raiders.
Junior Quarterback Walker Bailey and the rest of the offense trotted out to the field with excitement on the new season of football in Ocean City.
After getting a first down, the mood shifted in the stadium. On the second play from scrimmage Red Raider fans took a collective gasp after a quarterback scramble when Bailey got up with a noticeable limp. The quarterback hobbled over to the sideline to talk to head coach Smith but stayed in the game.
Ocean City gained two first downs on the drive thanks to Bailey’s arm and strong running by Duke Guenther. However, most of Bailey’s mobility was taken from him as he couldn’t escape the Greyhound pressure a few plays later, ending the first drive.
Pleasantville’s game plan on its opening drive was running up the middle and the Ocean City defense was ready for it. The lone pass attempt of the drive featured the Pleasantville receiver being tackled by J.P. Forster in the open field, saving a first down and forcing a punt.
A muffed punt gave the Red Raiders’ offense good field position in opposing territory as their hurt quarterback comes back onto the field. They shifted their game plan to feature Guenther, a senior running back, as the primary offensive weapon. After an encroachment penalty on the defense caused by pre-snap motion by the Raiders, Guenther carried the ball four out of five times, putting his team in a good position.
Ocean City’s offense was halted when Pleasantville caused a fumble that bounced between seven players’ hands before a Greyhound landed on the ball. A similar-looking play happened in the 1970s called the “Holy Roller” in a National Football League game.
The following Raider possession made clear Bailey’s injury was not going away anytime soon as he was sacked three times. He was standing strong in the pocket on the drive, completing two passes, but couldn’t escape pressure once it came and Ocean City was forced to punt.
The final drive of the half featured Raider linebacker Nick Layton getting two sacks with help from defensive lineman Clifford Dirkes.
Pleasantville’s first offensive drive in the second half broke the 0-0 stalemate with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Khail Witherspoon in the left corner of the end zone. Ocean City senior Jon Moyer made his first of multiple game-changing plays as he successfully blocked the extra point attempt and left the score at 6-0.
Before the start of the second half, Bailey brought the whole team together to let them know he was not going back into the game. He was telling everyone to fight hard and support the new quarterback.
Sophomore Ryan Hendricks, who had very little varsity experience, took over. Guenther continued to get fed the ball, ending the day with more than 20 carries.
One play in football can change the outlook of everything in a game, and the Raiders got their spark on their second drive of the half.
A deep Raider punt was touched by a Greyhound player who couldn’t keep possession of the ball, letting the Raiders jump on top of it, giving them a 1st and 10 from the 13-yard line.
Hendricks threw to Guenther on a running back screen and Guenther rumbled into the end zone for the Ocean City touchdown. Raider Nation erupted in cheers while teammates mobbed Hendricks and Guenther.
“It was so fun for all of us to celebrate that moment. It meant a lot to get that score,” Guenther said after the game. “Ryan was definitely a little inexperienced at the start, but he started to gain momentum as the game went on.”
Moyer blocking the extra point attempt turned out to be important as Ocean City was leading 7-6, after Ryder Hay’s extra point conversion with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Ocean City crowd and players were feeling the momentum shift as each tackle on defense was met with a roar of excitement. Moyer brought the house down by making a leaping interception to end the quarter.
Coach Smith’s game plan was to continue to feed the ball to Guenther and drain the clock with power running. Eventually the Raiders and Hendricks were faced with a 4th and 11 to go for the endzone. Walking away with a field goal never crossed the Raiders’ minds.
Hendricks threw a perfect fade to Moyer, over a defender, in the corner of the end zone for a 14-6 lead with 7 minutes left in the game. Hay kicked the extra point.
When asked if he considered a field goal, Smith responded, “No, I didn’t know if 4 points was going to be enough. We had to score. The young kid threw a heck of a ball, right on the money on that fade route.”
Up 14-6, the Raider defense became relentless with linebacker Joey Berardis forcing another fumble.
The final possession for Pleasantville was more domination by Ocean City’s defense as the Raiders recorded two more sacks. This forced a 4th and long which was ended by a great tackle from Forster, closing out the game.
Hendricks and the offense ran down the clock on their final possession.
After coming in for the injured Baliey, Hendricks was awarded the Battle at the Beach MVP trophy for Ocean City for his two touchdown passes.
“I love to see it. Our motto during practice is you never know when it’s your time. When a guy goes down you must step up,” Moyer said.
“Moyer was going to be our quarterback in the second half,” the coach said, “but we just thought he was just a little too valuable at everything else he does.”
Moyer’s value was evident, racking up an interception, an extra point block, and a touchdown catch all in the second half.
He finished his interview postgame with saying he was “feeling good and a little sore.” He then laughed and celebrated with his family.
Ocean City hits the road Friday to play the rival Mainland Mustangs. Game time is 6 p.m.
STORY By WILLIAM TRUITT, PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel
