Miners Run All Over Thunder: Fort Meade 42, Lake Region 6
Sat. September 08, 2012 at 1:00 a.m. | By Polk Preps Staff
FORT MEADE'S RYAN FULSE scored twice Friday against Lake Region, on runs of 36 and 49 yards. (Photo by GEORGE AYCRIGG | LEDGER MEDIA GROUP PYHOTOS )
By BILL KEMP
LEDGER MEDIA GROUP
EAGLE LAKE | The game was over quickly, but it wasn't painless for either team — and the hardest blows were dealt before kickoff.
Fort Meade knocked off Lake Region 42-6 at Thunder Field on Friday with both teams battling without key players because of shoulder injuries.
The Miners (2-0) decided to sit star running back Devante Clark Friday morning after he was banged up during last week's win against Hardee.
"We thought he was going to be able to go and we got to school this morning and he had a little discomfort," Fort Meade head coach Jemalle Cornelius said. "So we'd rather be safe than sorry in that situation."
The move almost went unnoticed when Fort Meade rocketed to a 14-0 lead just four minutes into the game. Chris Morris snatched a 50-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jay Smith on the fourth play of the game, and sophomore Ryan Fulse broke free on a 36-yard TD run. Fulse scored again on a 49-yard run, helping the Miners to a 21-6 halftime lead.
Lake Region (0-2) played without starting quarterback L.T. Thompson, who injured his shoulder in last week's game against Kathleen. A.J. Rhone moved over from defense and played his first varsity game at quarterback for the Thunder.
"We throw a guy in there like that with only a week's preparation, and quite frankly it was only three days, and then tell him that he has to perform. He did a heck of a job in my mind," Lake Region head coach Steve Reynolds said. "Right now we are hoping to have (Thompson) back to practice on Monday, but I don't know."
Freshman Isham Alexander scored a pair of second-half touchdowns to put the game out of reach, and Tanner Bell had two interceptions for Fort Meade.
Lake Region plays at home next week against Bartow, while Fort Meade plays host to Haines City.
FM LR
First Downs: 11 8
Rushes/Yards: 212 206
Passing: 5-11-1 2-16-2
Passing Yards: 64 16
Total Yards: 276 232
Fumbles/Lost: 2/0 6/3
Punts/avg.: 0/0 3/33
Penalties/Yards: 4/22 10/102
Records: 1-0 0-1
Fort Meade 14 7 7 14 — 42
Lake Region 0 6 0 0 — 6
First Quarter
FM -- Chris Morris 50-yard pass from Jay Smith (Jack Cortez kick) 10:11
FM -- Ryan Fulse 36-yard run (Jack Cortez kick) 7:50
Second Quarter
LR -- A.J. Rhone 1-yard (kick failed) 5:13
FM -- Ryan Fulse 49-yard run (Jack Cortez kick) 4:53
Third Quarter
FM -- Isham Alexander 4-yard run (Jack Cortez kick) 4:25
Fourth Quarter
FM -- Isham Alexander 3-yard run (Jack Cortez kick) 11:38
FM -- Ladarius Clark 2-yard run (Jack Cortez kick) 11:13
Individual Statistics
RUSHING — LR Marquis Bowen 10-99, Jakarr Little 11-56, A.J. Rhone 10-44; FM Ryan Fulse 6-130, Tyler King 7-55, Isham Alexander 9-25, Ladarius Clark 1-2
PASSING — LR A.J. Rhone 2-16-2; FM Jay Smith 5-1-1
RECEIVING — FM Tyler King 2-6, Chris Morris 2-52; LR Marquis Bowen 1-20
Att. 767
