Danville survives, advances past Somerset, 21-7
Published 5:52 pm Sunday, November 7, 2021
Caleb Burns of Danville tries to fight off Somerset defender Brayden Gross as he carries the ball during the third quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Caleb Burns of Danville tries to fight off Somerset defender Brayden Gross as he carries the ball during the third quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Danville quarterback Brady Morse runs with the ball as Somerset defender Jesse Zaragoza (21) gives chase during the third quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Braidin Baughman (20) and Cwintin Anderson of Danville move in to tackle Somerset’s Guy Bailey during the second quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Danville coach Mark Peach talks with an official during the second quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Xzavion Brown (32) of Danville carries the ball as teammate Demauriah Brown blocks a Somerset player during the first quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Xzavion Brown of Danville brings down Guy Bailey of Somerset as Bailey stretches for extra yardage during the first quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Caleb Burns (3) of Danville fights off Somerset defender Hayden Dick as he carries the ball during the second quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Corydon Crawford, left, and Jalen Dunn of Danville celebrate after Crawford intercepted a pass during the third quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Corydon Crawford (2) of Danville gets away from Somerset defender Jesse Zaragoza after catching the ball on a 77-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Corydon Crawford (2) of Danville and Jesse Zaragoza of Somerset wrestle at the end of a play during the first quarter Friday. Danville was flagged eight times and Somerset four times for personal fouls or unsportsmanlike conduct in the first period. - Photo by Mike Marsee
Braidin Baughman (20) celebrates with Danville teammates K.J. Stanfield, left, and Richard Norris after Baughman scored on a 26-yard run during the fourth quarter Friday. - Photo by Mike Marsee
By MARTY WARREN
Contributing Writer
It certainly wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but at this time of the year a win, when the playoffs start and a loss can end your season, a win can keep your season alive as Danville shook off a sluggish start and defeated Somerset 21-7 Friday night at Admiral Stadium.
Penalties plagued both teams, but especially the Admirals throughout the game, and neither team could get any continuity throughout the game.
“I’m proud of the guys and the adversity they had to play with tonight,” Danville coach Mark Peach said.
“Nothing seemed to come easy for us. At one point we had nine people out with some sort of injury tonight. I’m serious. I couldn’t keep up with all of them.”
Danville was penalized eight times in the first quarter alone for 97 yards and finished the game with 195 yards on 16 total penalties.
“Despite all of the penalties, our defense dominated the game again,” Peach said. “They were just able to get the one long run on us again. We just didn’t get the leverage on that one play but other than that we were able to shut them out.”
After a scoreless first half Somerset (1-10) got on the scoreboard first when Guy Bailey, who led all rushers with 105 yards on 22 attempts, capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive that was aided by two Danville personal foul penalties, with a 38-yard scoring run and a 7-0 lead.
Danville, however, knotted the score after freshman Bradin Baughman picked up a short kickoff at the Ads’ 33 and raced all the way to the Jumpers 4. Demauriah Brown scored on the next play to knot the score at 7-7.
Two more personal foul penalties on Danville couldn’t stop senior quarterback Brady Morse from connecting with Corydon Crawford in stride for an electrifying 77-yard pitch and catch and a 14-7 lead.
Danville’s final score of the night came on a 26 yard run from Baughman, who finished with 44 yards on eight attempts,
The Ads move on next week to play top-ranked Lexington Christian Academy at Lexington.
“It doesn’t get any easier and that’s ok,” the Danville coach said. “We’re at the time of the year where we would rather be playing. I’m proud of the guys. It was their first playoff win since 2018 and most wins in a season since they won the State Championship in 2017.”
“We’ve played these guys before and we’ll have to make some adjustments. We’re going in to prepare to win. It’s a one-game scenario. We’re excited about getting another opportunity.
Class 2A Playoffs
At Danville
Somerset – 0 0 7 0 – 7
Danville – 0 0 7 14 – 21
Third Quarter
S – Guy Bailey 38 run (Christian Whitus kick), 5:32.
D – Demauriah Brown 4 run (Keegyn Wilcher kick), 5:13.
Fourth Quarter
D – Corydon Crawford 77 pass from Brady Morse (Wilcher kick), 11:14.
D – Bradin Baughman 26 run (Wilcher kick), 7:26.
RUSHING – Somerset, Guy Bailey 22-105, Kam Hughes 2-1, Josh Bruner 9-7. Danville, Demauriah Brown 11-57, Caleb Burns 12-38, Brady Morse 2-9, Bradin Baughman 8-44, Xzavion Brown 1-4, Corydon Crawford 2-49.
PASSING – Somerset, Bailey 5-42, Michael Hawkins 1-4, Cayden Cimala 1-8. Danville, Crawford 2-82, D. Brown 1-12, Burns 1-9.
