Suffolk News-Herald

All too often this season, Lakeland’s defense has gone out on the field and fought its heart out, only to see the opponent eventually find a way through, then shut down the Cavalier offense. So on Friday night, before Norcom could escape, the Cavalier stoppers took matters into their own hands, racking up 20 of the squad’s points in a 27-7 victory.

Michael Parker started off the evening by recovering a Greyhound fumble at the Norcom 25 less than two minutes in. A pair of false start penalties knocked Lakeland back to the 31, but Marvin Smith hit a wide-open D.J. Everett over the middle on third down for a score, and Chris Ashcraft booted the extra point.

The Cavalier defense pushed Norcom back over the first two plays of the next drive, but the Greyhounds completed a 45-yard bomb into Lakeland territory, and a personal foul penalty got them to the 11. Two plays later, the score was tied with 3:37 to go.

Tyrone Parker pulled in the ensuing kickoff at the five, and hurried up the middle. Reaching the 25, he charged toward the left, leaving five defenders behind him. With the kicker in his way, Tyrone hurtled back toward the right sideline. A tackler grabbed him around the waist, but Tyrone kept churning, and didn’t stop until he was laying in pay dirt.

Norcom drove down to the Lakeland 15, but missed a field goal. They wouldn’t come nearly as close again all night.

With 44 seconds left in the half, Ashcraft boomed a punt 37 yards to the Norcom 37. Two plays later, Jeffrey Cook hauled in an interception just on the Lakeland side of the field. He bolted down the left sideline, cut across the middle, and dove into the endzone for the Cavaliers’ third score.

&uot;He threw it short, and I broke to the ball,&uot; said Cook. &uot;I wasn’t trying to stop after that.&uot;

The Cavaliers’ defensive prowess covered up a weak offensive showing in the first half – one first down and 78 yards, only four of which came on the ground. In the third period, however, the defense finally got a rest, as the offense was on the field for over 10 minutes.

But the defenders took the spotlight once again. At the Norcom 20, Michael sacked the quarterback and the ball popped out. Dontauias Myrick scooped it up and rumbled 20 yards for the final score.

&uot;Our line was blocking, opening up holes,&uot; Everett said. &uot;Everything was right.&uot; With momentum behind then for the first time, the Cavaliers will go for their first district win since 2002-03 at home against Deep Creek next Friday.

They were the only Suffolk public school to bring home a win; Nansemond River fell just short to Hickory, 21-14, while Oscar Smith defeated King’s Fork 57-0. The Warriors host Western Branch next Friday, while the Bulldogs go to Indian River.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy had more success, defeating host Hampton Roads Academy 49-0. The Saints will host Blue Ridge next Friday.