Middletown continues Harvest Bowl success with dominant second half

Middletown football Makai Walker ran for 133 yards and 3 touchowns in the win over Smyrna. Photo by Donnell Henriquez

The Middletown Cavaliers scored a touchdown on each of their five second-half possessions to post an impressive 45-12 win Friday night over Smyrna. Makai Walker ran for 133 yards and found the endzone for three of those scores. He was named our “Player-of-the-Game”.

With the Cavaliers clinging to a 10-6 lead at the half, we asked Walker what was discussed in the locker room that led to the second-half explosion. “In the locker room, we talked to the offensive line, I pushed them, and we came out and turned it up.” Most of the Cavs run-game went through the right side of the line as Cory Campbell, Morgon Davis, and center Joseph Miniconzi were getting a “good push”. Walker told us, that’s my strength…the right side. “

Smyrna took the game’s opening drive and moved 80 yards in 12 plays to put the first points on the board. Kahmaj Kearney carried the ball seven times for 31 yards including a seven-yard touchdown run. The conversion attempt out of the “earthquake” formation failed leaving the Eagles up 6-0. It took Middletown less than 90 seconds to answer. The Cavaliers three play drive covered 55 yards as quarterback Derian Cunningham broke to the sideline on a 34-yard touchdown scamper. Austin Hamm’s extra point gave the home team the lead for good at 7-6. Smyrna would not score again until early in the fourth quarter.

These two programs are fierce competitors, as is evident by the number of penalties. Over 25 infractions were called, totaling nearly 250 yards for the contest.

The balanced offensive display for Middletown featured more than 300 yards rushing, with Walker leading the charge with 133. Amare Glover added 96 yards, while Cunningham chipped in with 47. Cunningham also completed 8 of 13 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown to John Parker. The Dover High transfer was playing in his first full game since the DIAA approved his temporary transfer. His 30-yard score was his first in a Middletown uniform.

Smyrna sophomore quarterback Drew Marks passed for 134 yards on 26 attempts. He completed 19 of those passes. Phoenix Henriquez caught seven, his longest covered 29 yards. Sophomore Jason Caserta made several tough catches on sideline routes. Caserta also had seven receptions for 60 yards.

The Eagles begin district play next Friday, hosting Caesar Rodney, while the Cavaliers will host Hodgson Vo Tech for homecoming.