Suffolk News-Herald

Draindell Bassett ran for two touchdowns in the final 4:30 as the Bennett’s Creek midget Pop Warner football team reignited its offensive proficiency just in time to defeat the visiting Norfolk Magic 22-6 on Sunday night at John Yeates Middle School. After the Norfolk squad stole the momentum (and nearly the game) early in the second half, the Warriors (5-2, 5-1) finally got things together on offense to break a two-game losing streak.

They started off quickly enough. On just the Magic’s second play from scrimmage, Josh Lovell snuck into the backfield and downed quarterback Lenny Paiva for a safety. &uot;They didn’t line up anyone against me,&uot; Josh said. &uot;They tried a rollout, but I just clipped his legs right out from under him.&uot;

Still, the Warriors’ lack of dexterity on offense showed on the ensuing drive, as they ran five plays inside the Magic 10 before being intercepted. James Watson returned a Magic punt all the way back to the Norfolk 15, and Josh’s brother Nathan carried twice to reach the five. Michael Dugger inched his way to the goal line, and Nathan hurtled through the middle of the line for a touchdown. Kwame Jordan kicked the extra point (which counts for two points in Pop Warner ball), and the Warriors had a 10-0 halftime lead.

The first three possessions of the second half failed to yield a first down for either team, but Paiva returned a Warrior punt to the BC six, and then threw a touchdown pass to Donte Maurry.

Again, no one could move the ball for the remainder of the quarter, and the Warriors eventually were faced with a first-and-15 from their own 38 with just under eight minutes to go. That’s when the smoldering Warrior offense was finally reset ablaze.

Nathan started things off by scampering up the middle for a 19-yard gain, and Dugger found an open spot around the right end for 11 more. Bassett hurried to the Magic 17, and Cedric Johnson charged up the middle to reach the 10 with five minutes to go.

On second down, Bassett took an option run around the right end, with Dugger trailing him. As Bassett neared the line of scrimmage, he glanced toward Dugger, and feinted a pitch to him. The Magic defense gravitated toward Dugger, and Bassett charged straight ahead to pay dirt.

&uot;I was going to give it to Mike, but the defense went to him, so I just saw an open line and took the ball there,&uot; Bassett said.

He wasn’t finished. The Warriors quickly got the ball back at the Magic 46, and Bassett faked, twisted and weaved his way down and across the field for the game’s final score. Josh Lee and Ty Alexander recorded sacks on the next drive, and Eric Scott pulled down an interception to end the game. The Warrior defense held the Magic to just seven total yards.

The Warriors will attempt to carry their momentum into next Saturday when they host the Norfolk Saints, whom they defeated 8-0 earlier in the season. The game will decide the midget Division One titlist, as both teams hold 5-1 division records.