Fort Dorchester Pulls Away From Goose Creek
Fort Dorchester freshman QB Landon Freeman had a big night for the Patriots on Sept. 4.
By Roger Lee
Contributing Writer
Goose Creek – Fort Dorchester claimed its first victory of the football season, handing Goose Creek a 33-20 loss Sept. 4.
“For the most part we beat them in the air all game,” said Fort Dorchester coach Shaun Lorenzano. “We’ve been struggling offensively so we really needed to come out tonight on that side of the ball and our quarterback did a great job. I’m proud of our offense and defense. Now Goose Creek’s running game was impressive. They really kind of gassed us a good portion of the night. Fortunately we came up huge in the Red Zone.”
The Patriots improved to 1-2 on the season while the Gators dropped to 1-2.
“I’m proud of the kids,” said Goose Creek coach Jamie Fordham. “We want to compete. We had a couple of challenges last week where we were met with execution. This week with just met with trying to finish the right way. That is something we will get better at.”
The first score of the game was on a busted play. Goose Creek quarterback Tyler Holmes fumbled the ball, but his running back, Sincere Lewis, was there to recover the fumble and run 40-plus yards for a Gators’ touchdown. Troubles on the snap for the conversion play left Goose Creek holding a 6-0 lead late in the opening quarter.
Late in the second quarter, Fort Dorchester QB Landon Freeman completed a pass to Devin Gates, who then turned on the jets for a 65-yard TD catch. Receiver Aiden Rutledge lined up behind center for the conversion play and swept left for a two-point run and 8-6 Patriots’ lead.
It took the Gators roughly three minutes of game clock time to respond. Holmes had some big runs on the drive, which he capped with an 11-yard TD run. The ensuing conversion attempts was stopped.
It took the Patriots even less time to answer that TD. On the ensuing drive, Freeman connected with receiver Derrick Simpson and Gates on big passes to move the ball up field. His final pass of the drive, from midfield, was hauled in by Gates who dashed into the end zone for his second TD of the evening.
Fort Dorchester carried a 14-12 lead into the half.
Freeman broke free for a 50-plus yard TD scramble in the third quarter to extend the Fort’s lead to 20-12.
Goose Creek kept using the Homes/Lewis running tandem to chew up yards. Then Homes hit Reggie Dozier III with a pass for an 18-yard TD. Lewis added a two-point conversion run to tie the game.
The Gators had the opportunity to take the lead with a field goal with approximately five minutes remaining to play, but the attempt sailed wide.
With time winding down, Freeman hit Rutledge with a pass across the middle. The sophomore broke a tackle and sped for a 72-yard TD. Goose Creek blocked the extra-point attempt, leaving the score at 26-20.
The Gators had roughly three minutes to put together a potential game-winning drive. However, Gates, who also plays defensive back, again stepped up. The junior intercepted a Goose Creek pass returned the pick 25 yards into the end zone to put the game out of reach. Marrio Marston added the extra-point kick for insurance.
“I commend our defense for their bend but don’t break mentality,” Lorenzano said. “Goose Creek scored some, but we had a bunch of fourth down stops. This is a young team, but they made huge strides from last week attitude wise and technically on the field. It was a good win for us. Now we have to capitalize on it and make sure we get ready for Wando.”
Gosse Creek plays at Stratford (0-3) next week.
