The Rivalry: Sparrows Point Tops Dundalk 14-6

Despite being out gained by 77 yards, Sparrows Point was able to capitalize on several key Dundalk turnovers to defeat their crosstown rival on the gridiron, 14-7.

“It's like Ravens-Steelers week when we play Dundalk,” said Sparrows Point quarterback Justin Gensicki. “We circled this game as soon as the schedule came out. Practice was more intense, we were more focused. It feels good to get the win."

Dundalk jumped out to an early lead, scoring on a Shaquile Lane's 2-yard TD run with 6:31 left in the first quarter. Lane's touchdown plunge capped a 76-yard drive, but the Owls missed the extra point making the score 6-0.

“We knew we were going to have trouble with their speed and athleticism,” said Pointer coach Glenn Imirie. “They came out and just drove the ball down the field on us in that drive. We made some adjustments with our defense putting eight men in the box, and that seemed to slow them down a little bit.”

Later in the first quarter, Dundalk would commit the first of it's five turnovers when the deep man muffed a punt, giving the Pointers the ball on the Owl 5-yard line.

Sparrows Point running back Derek Masters handled it from there, rumbling into the endzone on a short run. With the extra point kick, the Pointers had the lead 7-6. Neither team would score the rest of the first half.

The Pointers took control of the game with their first possession of the third quarter. Marching 55-yards in 6:47, again finished by a Masters' touchdown run, Sparrows Point went up 14-6.

The Owls threatened to score on their next drive, but a costly end zone interception thrown by Brandon Rexrode to Pointer freshman defensive back Brody Underwood killed the drive.

In the next Owl possession, Rexrode, who started in place of regular Owl regular quarterback Dwayne Marshall was replaced by Marshall. The Owl's Marshall quickly completed the first Dundalk pass of the evening, a 44-yard bomb to Luah Talo giving his team a first and goal opportunity. Unable to score, however, the Owls turned the ball over on downs.

The Pointer offense went three-and-out and a short punt gave life back to the Owls. On fourth and four, another Pointer freshman, defensive back Brandon Frazier, made a key play. With Marshal scrambling to his right, Frazier came up in run support and made a game-saving tackle on the fleet-footed quarterback.

“Our defensive line put pressure on him,” said Frazier. “I saw him pull the ball down and commit to the run. I left my man came up and made the tackle. This game felt like a world championship game.”

The Pointers are now 1-2 and host Patapsco Friday in their homecoming game. Dundalk is also 1-2 and will host New Town Friday in their homecoming game.

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