Wheaton Hangs On to Defeat Blair 12-6

The Blazers of Montgomery Blair had their opportunities to win this one.  On Friday, the rushing game was clicking for the Blazers at times (226 total yards) especially when they hit the middle of the Knights defensive line.  Blazers running back Claude Richardson had 16 carries for 125 yards and quarterback Raymond Burtnick added 30 yards on 5 carries.  In the end it was turnovers that killed Blair.  Three lost fumbles and an interception.  The Blazers got on the board first when Jorge Alvarez powered up the middle for a 32 yard touchdown.  The two point conversion was no good.  The half ended 6-0.  It was Wheaton’s senior Ayinde Warren that was the spear of the Knights attack gaining 113 yards on 22 carries and 2 touchdowns.  Warren popped off his own long run up the middle in the 3rd quarter, a 37 yard scamper that tied the game.  Wheaton Junior Jean-Michel Agbele tried the extra point but was gang tackled before the ball could get off the ground.  Blair’s counter attack was thwarted when Knights Senior Travon Butler intercepted Burtnick's pass around the Blazers 30 yard line and took the ball down to the 5 yard line.  This set up Ayinde Warren’s go ahead touchdown run for the Knight’s.  Wheaton could not convert on the 2 point conversion.  At the end of the 3rd quarter the lead for the Knights was a precarious one, 12-6.  The Blazer’s got within striking distance to tie the game especially when Blair’s Burtnick hit Hugo Cantu for a 25 yard pass into Knight territory.  The Knight’s defense held on giving the Knight’s new coach, Ernie Williams, his first win of the year, improving to 1-2.  Wheaton next plays Northwood High School on the road, Friday, September 21st.