Caravel defense shines to keep Buccaneers undefeated 

 

Caravel improved to 9-0 on the 2023 season with a 16-8 victory over DMA on Friday night.  

 

The Seahawks entered the game at 4-4 and in a must-win situation under first year head coach, Matt Carre.  As noted on the broadcast, DMA has two losses on the season by less than 3 points and now fight for their playoff lives.  Odell Teel, Edward Emmens, and Malcolm Roy have been explosive this season.  Teel came into Friday’s matchup with over 1100 all-purpose yards, Emmens with almost 600 rushing yards, and Roy with over 400 receiving yards with 3 TD’s.

 

The Buccaneers entered this weekend’s game as the class of 2A.  The lone remaining undefeated team in any class this year, Caravel has been led by Craig & Jordan Miller, Trey Hamlin, and perhaps the top defense in the entire State.  Caravel hasn’t lost a regular season game since 2021.  Last year’s runner-up in 2A has been on a mission to get back to the big game and change the outcome.

 

In this game, the Buccaneers would control the clock early with the running game and stifling defense.  Caravel would have two scoring drives of over 6 minutes to take a 13-0 into halftime.

 

DMA would take two drives across mid-field, however would not be able to extend those drives beyond the 40 yard-line and would go 4 and out twice.

 

Caravel would begin the second half with the football and once again would dominate the time of possession.  A heavy dosage of Jordan Miller (27 carries for 197 yds) would extend the opening drive to nearly NINE minutes long before Caravel would settle for a 27-yard field goal by Logan Keld to extend the lead to 16-0.

 

The Seahawks needed a spark as they were in danger of losing grip on this game and Malcolm Roy would provide them that spark on the very next kickoff.  Roy would field the ball off one bounce at the 10-yard line and make two cuts to get to his home sideline and go the distance for a 90-yard touchdown return.  Odell Teel would convert the two-point conversion to cut the lead in half.

 

DMA would get a 3 and out on the following possession and would have 3 different opportunities for a game tying drive, however the Caravel defense would continue to be stout.   DMA’s greatest opportunity came with just under 3-minutes left in the game.  The Seahawks were set up with a first-down at the 13-yard line, the furthest their offense was able to penetrate the Caravel defense, after a big interception set them up on the CA 30.  However, an incomplete pass from Teel in the back of the end zone for Roy would turn the ball over on downs and allow Caravel to knee out the clock and earn their 9th win of the season.

 

 DMA’s offense was shut down.  Teel would finish 8-15 through the air for only 53 yards, while adding 35 yards on the ground on 9 carries.  Emmens was held to his lowest output of the season, 9 yards on 6 carries.

 

On the other side Caravel was led by 197 rushing yards from Jordan Miller.  Craig Miller would add 41 yards on the ground on 9 carries.  Truman Auwerda, the homecoming king, would finish 8-12 through the air for 61 yards and a first half touchdown to Trey Hamlin.  Hamlin had a quiet night, 2 catches for 13 yards and that TD.

 

The Buccaneers will welcome cross-town foe, Red Lion to Bob People’s Stadium next Friday.  The Lions are 7-2, winners of 5 in a row and led by impressive sophomore QB Evan Budinger.

 

DMA (4-5) finishes their season on the road against Delcastle in a must win scenario.  Not only will the Seahawks need to win, but they will need some help in order to qualify for the 2A playoffs.