Suffolk News-Herald

Maury made up for lost time on Friday night, winning its first game since 2001 with a 27-2 rout of host Lakeland. Maury gave coach Todd Mitchell his first victory and spoiled the debut of new head Cavalier Greg Rountree. After outgaining the Commodores 170-64 in the first half, the Cavalier offense fell apart in the last two quarters, accumulating just 52 yards, all of which came on the ground.

Maury took over right from the opening kickoff, as Delvon Nicholson returned it 79 yards to the Lakeland 19. Three plays later, Mike Davis hit Kenny Chalmers from 12 yards out for a 7-0 lead.

Chase Nelson carried the kickoff back to the Lakeland 35, but quarterback Eric Ruffin fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, and Davis tossed to Demetrius Buie in the corner of the end zone on first down, giving Maury a two-touchdown advantage three minutes into the game.

Nelson, Reggie Banks and Ramon Faltz ran the Cavaliers down to the Maury 22, but were bitten by the penalty bug. A false start knocked them back to the 27, and a touchdown run by Dajuan Everett was nullified by a holding penalty. Another false start knocked the Cavaliers out of field goal range, and Maury took control at their own 30.

They went to the Lakeland 33, but the ball went over on downs, and Faltz carried to the Lakeland 47. Ruffin completed his first pass, an 18-yard strike to Banks, and Nelson and Faltz made it to the 12. Everett carried down to the two, but Faltz fumbled

and Maury recovered. The Lakeland defense knocked the ball from Davis’ hands on the next play, and it skittered out of the end zone, ending the half with Maury up 14-2.

The Commodores recovered an onside kick to start the second half and made it as close as the Lakeland two, but were unable to score. Nelson, Banks and Everett went back to work, rushing to the 36, but Ruffin fumbled at the 41.

After each team punted, Maury took over with 11:20 to go. Leroy Chatman hurtled 24 yards to the Lakeland 36, and Davis hit Chalmers at the 23. Chatman rushed twice for eight yards, and Davis tossed another touchdown pass to Buie with nine minutes to go. Lakeland was unable to attain another first down, and Davis threw one more touchdown pass, a 17-yard toss to Chalmers with 5:16 to go. Lakeland will attempt to get its new coach his first victory at Norcom next Friday.

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Nansemond River was even less successful in Hampton, falling 28-0 to host Kecoughtan. The Warriors will try to regroup next Friday at home against Lake Taylor.