Thomas Stone beats Calvert with a golden performance

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/thomas-stone-beats-calvert-with-a-golden-performance/2015/10/23/daed951a-79cc-11e5-a958-d889faf561dc_story.html

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In its homecoming game against Calvert, Thomas Stone reproduced the school’s “Gold Rush” theme on the field in just 24 seconds on Friday night in Waldorf.

A week after a heartbreaking Hail Mary resulted in a loss to Westlake, the Cougars played with the urgency of desperate prospectors in a 28-7 victory over a Southern Maryland Athletic Conference Chesapeake Division opponent.

Starting with senior Hassan Marshall’s 45-yard fumble return for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, a Cougars squad clad in gold forced four turnovers and kept its playoff hopes alive in a highly competitive 2A South Region.

When Calvert got the ball back to launch its second drive, Marshall led the charge on a 10-yard sack on second down and made a tackle for a two-yard loss on third down to force a punt.

“They were a power team and they were going to try to stuff the ball down our throats. We just had to do what we had to do, do our assignments and make the plays,” Marshall said.

Tarboro, N.C., transfer Daniel Lewis rushed for 114 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Cougars. Lewis said he left North Carolina to live with his mother in Waldorf. He was drawn to Thomas Stone (6-2, 4-1) because the Cougars’ run to a region title in 2014 eclipsed his own team’s postseason success while he was a starting running back last year at Tarboro High.

Lewis said he was “fired up and mad” after the Westlake defense limited him last week. Against Calvert, Lewis rushed for 14 yards on his first carry and helped the Cougars gain first downs on five consecutive plays during an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with one of two Jonathan Harris quarterback sneaks in the end zone.

“Our coach was telling us that we needed to be on fire and needed to be on point. I came out doing everything I could. I was giving it my all,” Lewis said. “I’m loving playing as a Cougar.”

Junior Taejon Gray, sophomore Delonta Nunnally and senior Randy Brent snagged interceptions on three consecutive Calvert pass attempts, helping Thomas Stone hold Calvert to 152 yards of total offense.

After Brent’s interception, Coach Paul Friel grabbed him on the sideline and happily said, “It’s about time.” Brent was the only member of the secondary without an interception.

Calvert (6-2, 3-1) prevented the shutout with a one-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Jack Lanham with 1 minute 45 seconds remaining. Junior Levi Brickner led the Cavaliers with 58 yards rushing.

With his team gathered in the huddle after the game, Friel offered a reminder.

“A real champion team, you don’t want to play them a week after they get beat,” he said.