Meadowbrook makes late play to slow top-ranked Hermitage

By Michael Phillips

Published: September 12, 2008

SLIDESHOW

As Hermitage drove down the field to take the lead in the final seconds, the Panthers’ offense became predictable in a hurry.

Almost every throw went at Meadowbrook cornerback Chris Carter.

It worked, and a field goal gave the Panthers a late lead—for all of 25 seconds.

“They were picking on me a whole lot,“ Carter said. “They score on me, I have to score on them.“

That’s what he did. As a receiver, he caught a 65-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds left to win the game.

The No. 3 Monarchs made a claim to being the area’s best team with a 20-13 road victory against the Panthers, No. 1 in the Times-Dispatch Top 10 Poll.

“I hope we’re No. 1 after a win like that,“ Meadowbrook’s Morgan Moses said.

The Monarchs’ offense came out firing under the leadership of junior quarterback Desmond Coble. In an attack catering to his strengths, he ran for 70 yards and threw for 233, a well-rounded game that built his confidence.

“I’ve got my swagger back when it comes to passing the ball,“ he said. “I felt comfortable in the pocket, my line kept their blocks and I had time to make good throws all night.“

Sometimes, he created that time himself, eluding tacklers and showing poise inside and outside the pocket. He got a big assist from running back Donico Phillips, who touched the ball 15 times in the second half to help the team on a seven-minute drive that kept the Panthers on their heels.

Moses was the lineman opening holes, and his talents didn’t diminish as the night went on.

“It’s all about the summer workouts,“ he said. “We’re going to keep working every week and get even better.“

Hermitage almost stole victory away with the leg of Stephen Reynolds, who made field goals from 27 and 37 yards. The second one looked as if it would be the game-winner until Carter’s big catch.

The Panthers’ touchdown came on a 34-yard pass that deflected off the hands of a Meadowbrook defender and into the arms of Mandela Stephens, who looked as if he wouldn’t have a chance to make the play.

Panthers quarterback Theron Norman played four quarters, getting sacked five times but also keeping his poise and rallying the team in the fourth quarter. Norman missed last week’s game.

“He gutted it out and played a great game while injured,“ Panthers coach Patrick Kane said. “We saw a lot of courage tonight.“

Norman converted passes three times to Matt Snead on the fourth-quarter drive. He also picked up a first down when Snead drew a pass interference call on a critical fourth-down play.

Meadowbrook imposed its will for most of the game, staying on offense for 27 minutes of game time.

Coble told his teammates before the winning drive that they’d come too far to lose the game on a last-second field goal.

“I knew I had to put the team on my shoulders,“ he said. “We played defense well, we played offense well and we couldn’t give up. This is a very big win.“
Contact Michael Phillips at .

Meadowbrook 0 12 0 8—20
Hermitage 7 0 3 3—13

H—Stephens 34 pass from Norman (Reynolds kick)

M—Carter 14 pass from Coble (kick failed)

M—Menefee 24 pass from Coble (conversion failed)

H—Reynolds kick 27

H—Reynolds kick 37

M—Carter 65 pass from Coble (Phillips run)

RUSHING

M: Worsham 10 carries-40 yards; Coble 15-70; Phillips 20-94 H: Gordon 13-65; Norman 6-(-27); Johnson 9-29

PASSING

M: Coble 14 complete-22 attempts-233 yards-0 interceptions H: Norman 12-20-191-1

RECEIVING

M: Carter 5 receptions-112 yards; Rooney 4-53; Menefee 2-29; Ragin 1-15; Phillips 1-14; Worsham 1-0 H: Snead 6-65; Perez-Means 1-30; Gordon 1-20; Stephens 1-34; Johnson 1-6; Yurchak 4-68