The score is nowhere close to an indication of how the game went between the Douglass Astros and the Wesleyan Wolves Friday night. It was a defensive battle for both teams and remained close until late in the fourth quarter.
This was the Astros first game of the season after waiting a long three weeks to start their season against the Wolves. Everything worked out after the three-week delay and both teams were ready to go at each other ealy on.
The Astros were the first team to find the endzone first and they did so on the opening drive. The 75-yard drive was concluded with a goal-line rushing touchdown by returning star running back Quintavious Lockett to lead 7-0 with 8:36 to go in the first quarter.
However, the Wolves answered on their first drive of the game but with only three points. Brooks Sturgeon’s field goal was good cutting the Astros lead to four with less than two minutes to go in the first.
Both teams’ defenses showed up to play as special teams became a big part and norm for this game. Notably, it was the Wolves defense who was able to contain the Astros powerful running offense comprised of returning players Lockett, and quarterbacks Quindarius Sterling and D’Andre Watson.
On the last drive of the first half, the Wolves marched downfield inside the Astros four-yard line but penalties set them back to the Astros 20. The Wolves tried but could not make up the long yardage, leading to another Wolves field goal by Sturgeon to trail by one at the half 7-6.
The second half proved to be another defensive showdown between both teams as points remained hard to come by. This time, when the Wolves were driving downfield on their second drive of the game, they took advantage.
Wolves quarterback Ryan Rose connected with receiver Wyatt Hodges on a screen pass as Hodges took it to the house 32 yards to put the Wolves in front for the first time all game. The two-point conversion was no good but the Wolves lead 12-7 towards the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, both defenses were locked in and contained the opposing offenses. It was the Wolves who were ultimately able to take advantage of their teams great defensive play.
With less than three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Astros had their chance to drive 90 plus yards to win the game. On fourth down, Sterling scrambled out looking for a receiver Quientin Williams but was intercepted by Wolves cornerback Drew Ball who returned it for six.
That sealed the game giving the Wolves a hard-earned 19-7 win.
For the Astros, they will have to rebound and refocus quickly as they host undefeated AA powerhouse Callaway next Friday at Lakewood Stadium.
