SPORTS

DeSales overpowers Lancaster

Tom Wilson
Reporter

COLUMBUS — A year ago in Lancaster’s season opener against DeSales, the Golden Gales steadily wore down the Stallions in a 13-3 win.

On Thursday, DeSales turned the tables by using 6-foot-1, 245 tailback Alonzo Booth to bull his way against the Gales, setting up the Stallions’ passing game.

Lancaster had no answer and its offense struggled as DeSales jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and went on to post a 28-7 nonconference victory against the Gales.

DeSales dominated the game up front on both sides of the ball. Even though Lancaster has an experienced offensive line with four starters back, DeSales’ defense stifled the Gales’ running game from beginning to end.

Lancaster only had one real scoring threat in the first half, and that came after senior quarterback Noah Dryden had a 43-yard run, but the drive stalled at the Stallions’ 13-yard line.

DeSales, on the other hand, seemed to do whatever it wanted to on offense and did a nice job of missing the run and pass to keep the Gales off balance.

Booth, who finished with 149 yards on just 14 carries and two touchdowns, did most of his damage in the first half with 119 yards. He had a spectacular 69-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter that gave the Stallions a 21-0 lead. He broke several tackles, and even though he is big, also showed his speed by running away from defenders.

“We missed a lot of tackle against (Booth),” Lancaster coach Rob Carpenter said. “On his long touchdown run, we missed four tackles. We didn’t wrap. We have to get better on the basic stuff.”

After forcing a Lancaster punt to start the game, DeSales scored on its initial drive, and it only took seven plays to cover 55 yards. Cole Silvestri connected with Ryan Corkrean on a 23-yard touchdown pass.

Lancaster’s Tyler Woodruff stopped the next DeSales drive with an interception, and after Lancaster was forced to punt, it didn’t take the Stallions long to make it 14-0 after Joe Revard scored on a 10-yard touchdown run with 11:09 left in the first half.

The Stallions had 241 total yards at halftime compared to just 82 for the Gales.

“We didn’t block very well, we never got our fullback on track, and that is just blocking up front. Carpenter said. “They played some different fronts, and they had a very good scheme. They mixed things up on us, and we didn’t block very well.

“We aren’t going to make a lot of plays, defensively, if our offense is three-and-out and our defense is out there for 10-, 11-play drives and getting tired.”

Booth added a 4-yard touchdown run on DeSales' first possession of the second half to make it 28-0.

Lancaster sophomore Ethan Poe scored on a 19-yard run with less than a minute left in the game.

“We are young in certain spots, and we need to get better,” Carpenter said. “Some of the spots that we are more experienced at, we have to pull our weight better. I think we will overcome this and respond next week.”

twilson@lancastereaglegazette.com

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Twitter: @twil2323