Dialog reporter
GREENVILLE – It took Tatnall’s football team five minutes to score on the Hornets’ last drive of the game Sept. 24 against Archmere, but the rewards were worth the wait. The final play from the Hornets was a screen pass from Carl Marvin to Sam Ragland, and the senior running back took it 17 yards to the end zone to give Tatnall a 22-18 win over the Auks in nonconference action.
It was the third touchdown on the afternoon for the elusive Ragland, and the first through the air. Tatnall improved to 2-1 while ending the Auks’ seven-game winning streak dating back to the middle of last season.
The Hornets’ winning drive contained several big plays. Receiver Cameron Easton went over the top of an Archmere defender to steal a pass from Marvin for a significant gain. On a fourth down and four, Hassan Perkins took a direct snap around left end to pick up a first down by half the length of the football. A few plays later, Ragland set up behind the Auks’ defensive line and grabbed Marvin’s toss for the decisive score.
Any hope of an Archmere comeback ended with an interception by Tatnall’s Oliver Campbell
Each team scored a touchdown in a penalty-filled first half. Ragland put the first points of the afternoon on the board with an electric 87-yard run over left tackle with a few minutes left in the first period. Once he broke through the line, he found the end zone untouched.
Archmere answered in the final minute of the half on an amazing play. Quarterback Joe DiGregorio sent a pass over the middle toward the end zone. Tatnall linebacker Robert Denhey got a hand on the ball, which began to fall to the grass. Auks receiver Antwyne Scott-Coleman fell to the ground and snagged the ball as it fell, and the game was tied.
The Auks had possession to open the second half, and they too advantage. Mitchell Moyer capped a 75-yard drive that took nearly five minutes off the clock by powering his way into the end zone from three yards out. Patrick Udovich added the two-point conversion to make the lead 15-7. Tighe Watson expanded the lead to 11 points with 1:14 to go in the third with a 29-yard field goal.
It would take Tatnall just 25 seconds to answer. Perkins opened the drive by taking a screen pass from Marvin for 45 yards to the Auks’ 16. Ragland did the work on the next play, dancing his way into the end zone. Perkins took a direct snap for the extra two points, setting the stage for the Hornets’ late heroics.
Tatnall plays the second of four straight home games next Friday when rival Friends visits for a special 7 p.m. start time. The Hornets are bringing in temporary lights for a night game. Arcmere (2-1) has a tough road game ahead, traveling to St. Mark’s for a 7 p.m. start on Friday.
