Blocked punt sends Sanderson football to 2-0, upset over Fuquay-Varina
With 10th-ranked Fuquay-Varina facing a short week of rest, the Sanderson football team knew it might have an opportunity.
Jesse Williams was the one to find it.
The Sanderson senior linebacker broke free to block a third-quarter Fuquay-Varina punt and Max Webster scored on the recovery from 24 yards out to lift the 25th-ranked Spartans to a 7-0 road upset over the Bengals Friday in a non-conference football tilt.
“I saw an opportunity. (The Bengals) just gave it to me and I took it and that’s what happens,” Williams said.
Opportunities were rare for either side though. The Bengals (1-1) were stifled by the Sanderson defense to the tune of just 165 yards of total offense. The Spartans (2-0) forced Fuquay-Varina into four punts, two interceptions, a lost fumble and a turnover on downs.
“(Sanderson coach Ben) Kolstad does a great job,” Fuquay-Varina coach Jeb Hall said. “He always has a good defense that’s going to squeeze you and play our offense really good. We knew that and they did a great job. We just couldn’t get the offense going.”
Not that the Bengal defense was any slouch either. Fuquay-Varina limited Sanderson to three punts, three turnovers on downs and a lost fumble. And that was despite a big night from Jordan Logan and his 183 rushing yards.
Both teams failed to cash in on first-half scoring opportunities. The Bengals lined up for a 36-yard field goal attempt but never got the kick off because of a low snap. And Sanderson had a fourth-down play at the Bengal 8-yard line with 27 seconds to play in the half but quarterback Justin Dunn’s pass fell incomplete.
“It feels great. We say it’s payback season from last year,” Williams said. “So we have to do what we have to do.”
TURNING POINT
With under three minutes remaining in the third quarter and the Bengals punting from midfield, Williams came through the left side of the line and got a hand on Kyle Mott’s kick. The ball ricocheted backward where it was corralled on the bounce by Webster who was escorted to the end zone.
THREE TO KNOW
Jordan Logan, Sanderson: The senior rushed for 183 yards on 30 carries.
Jesse Williams, Sanderson: In addition to his blocked punt, Williams was an integral part of holding the Bengals to just 80 rushing yards.
Chris Canada, Fuquay-Varina: The left-handed junior quarterback took over for an injured Brycen Braswell in the second half and completed his first four passes for 71 yards.
BY THE NUMBERS
73: Yards of total offense in the first half for the Bengals, on 22 plays.
3: Quarterbacks used by Fuquay-Varina due to injuries.
3: Takeaways by the Spartans. Darryl Hill and Jacob Feinstein each had an interception while Malik Medley came up with a fumble recovery following a sack.
THEY SAID IT
“It’s no excuse. We’re young and we’ll have to learn from this. But it’s no excuse for some of the things we did tonight.” – Hall speaking of his team’s short turnaround. The Bengals defeated Harnett Central on Monday after the season opener was postponed due to weather.
This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 10:24 PM with the headline "Blocked punt sends Sanderson football to 2-0, upset over Fuquay-Varina."