Wakefield 35, Sanderson 9

By CALE COLOSIMO
Correspondent

Most coaches would be very pleased with a 35-9 win.  Wakefield Wolverines head coach J.D. Dinwiddie wasn’t too happy with his team’s win over the Sanderson Spartans.

“I wanted some more points,” said Dinwiddie.  “I’m not going to run up the score, but I wanted to get at least 42 points.”

At least he can be satisfied when his defense allowed nine points, both scores coming late in the fourth quarter.  Maybe not.

“I’m not as proud as I need to be because we didn’t hold them scoreless,” Dinwiddie continued.  “But I’m proud of their effort.  They played hard.”

The Wolverines won the conference opener for both teams.  The Wolverines improved to 5-1 and the Spartans continue to search for its first win, now 0-6 on the season.

Wakefield was led by quarterback Connor Mitch and running back Courtney Crews.  Mitch threw for three touchdowns, while Crews ran for two of his own.

Starting with their first possession, Wakefield dominated the game.  After stopping Sanderson on fourth down to begin the game, Wakefield needed just five plays to find the end zone.  Mitch completed both of his pass attempts, a six yard completion to Alex Gasper, and a quick slant to Rashawn Barnes across the middle of the field for 11 yards.  Mitch helped set up Crews for a five yard touchdown run.

“That’s what we do. We spread the ball around so we can run the ball,” said Dinwiddie.

Wakefield continued to impress through the air and on the ground.  Mitch finished the game throwing for 236 yards on 15 of 22 passes.  Crews carried the ball 14 times for 60 yards.  Rashawn Barnes had a game-high 86 yards receiving.

The Wolverines carried a 28-0 lead into halftime.  Mitch and his teammates continued where they left off, scoring on their first drive of the second half.

Barnes scored his second touchdown from 20 yards out, two minutes into the third quarter.  Barnes’ second touchdown put the Wolverines up by five scores.  Though they wouldn’t score again, that’s all they would need.

“It was a great first half.  Second half we got a little lazy,” said Mitch.  “We kind of gave up.  We thought the game was in the bag.  We need to have that killer instinct.”

The defense didn’t let up.  They continued to pressure Spartans quarterback Evan Parker.  Parker threw for just 77 yards in the game.  Sha’Qua Davis and Nigeel Palmer both fumbled in the first half.  The Spartans finally got on the board when Zach Powell made a 47 yard field goal halfway through the fourth quarter.  On their final drive of the game, Parker connected with Devonte Watkins for a five yard score.