Generals Bounce Back, Beating Lions 27-12

Towson High School star Michael Obineme returned to the field, but teammate Damon Jones stole the show.

Jones was almost unstoppable during Thursday's contest against Dulaney High School. The senior running back scored all four of the team's touchdowns as the Generals (2-1) rushed their way to their second win of the season.

Towson scored their first touchdown early in the first quarter kept the lead for the rest of the game, winning 27-12. The Generals ran the ball effectively and controlled the clock – not allowing Dulaney High School enough time to mount any sort of comeback late in the game.

"Time of possession had to be almost 2-to-1," Generals coach Scott Mathena said after the game.

One big reason for this dominant rushing performance was the return of senior fullback Michael Obineme, who missed last week's game against Pikesville High School. Last Friday, the Generals were unable to consistently run the ball, but Thursday's effort was different. Before the game, Mathena admitted that in order to win, the Generals would need to get their fullback more involved in the offense.

They did just that. Towson was able to effectively run up the middle with Obineme, which allowed Jones and quarterback M.J. Preston to run free around the corners.

"Michael [Obineme] ran the ball well," said Mathena. "But our newest acquisition, Damon Jones, really paid off."

Jones scored touchdowns in every single quarter for the Generals – all on similar plays in the red zone. The opposing defense was so focused on Obineme in the middle, that Jones continued to run free on sweeps inside the five-yard line. The running back had a three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, a five-yard burst in the second, a one-yard sprint in the third, and his easiest score came in the fourth when he practically walked into the end zone from one yard out.

The Generals were able to control the clock on offense, but their defense also came up big more than a few times during the game – not allowing any big plays throughout the night.

The Towson defensive line controlled the point of attack. They stuffed the run and relentlessly pressured the opposing quarterback. Big junior Timmy Jarosinski continued to push his way into the Dulaney backfield throughout the game – disrupting runs and hurrying passes – not allowing the Lions to find any sort of rhythm on offense.

"The defense played solid," Mathena said.

Dulaney only scored two touchdowns in Thursday's loss to Towson. The first was a four-yard run by Chris Davis in the second quarter to bring the Lions within a point of the Generals, but the second would not come until the game was already out of reach – with less than five minutes left and Dulaney down 27-6. Wide receiver D.J. Foster out jumped the defender, tipped the ball to himself, and managed to still make the catch in the end zone.  The play was impressive, but it did not factor into the outcome of the game at all.

The Towson team that took the field Thursday looked more focused and more determined than the Generals' squad that lost to Pikesville 26-7 less than a week ago. The Generals were able to run the ball effectively and control the clock on offense, as they dominated the line of scrimmage on defense—things they were not able to do against Pikesville.

If Towson can bring this type of intensity to each and every game they play from now on, they could be one tough team to beat.