Ocean City and Mainland Will Resume on Monday

The rain was coming down sideways on Friday night, two puddles that resembled miniature lakes sat on the field at Carey Stadium. However, Ocean City and Mainland began the football game despite the sloppy conditions.  

Unfortunately, with 8 minutes and 49 seconds reaming in the first quarter, a flash of lighting came and, according to Ocean City Principal Matt Jamison and Athletic Director Christine Lentz the contest between the Red Raiders and the Mustangs, will be postponed until 4 p.m. Monday at Carey Stadium.

On the field, it was Mainland getting on the board quickly taking a 7-0 advantage following an 11-yard connection from quarterback Tom Bradway to Dashown Waller. The Mainland touchdown was set up when Ocean City punter Matt Schuler’s punt was blocked giving the Mustangs the ball at the Red Raider 15-yard line.

“We didn’t handle a couple of snaps,” acknowledged Ocean City first-year coach Kevin Smith.  “And they jumped right on us.” 

Ocean City struggled right from the get-go.

On the opening series, the ball slipped between the hands of quarterback Chris Gabor, there was a loss of down penalty and a blocked punt. Meanwhile Mainland took two plays to punch in a touchdown.

“We didn’t handle it (the weather) well,” Smith explained. “They did a good job, you have to be able to handle it (the weather) and they came out and executed and we didn’t and now they are up 7-0 so we are going to have to be ready to execute on Monday.”

Mainland kicker Jim Cooper, the CAL’s all-time leader in field goals made and one of the regions best kickers booted two touchbacks, giving Ocean City poor field position.

“Winning the toss was big for them, they have a great kicker and he pinned us back right away,” Smith admitted. “In a way we were fortunate that the game was stopped when it was.”

Smith who played at Mainland under current Mustang head coach Bob Coffey joked with his former coach, asking if they could start the game over when they resume on Monday.

“I asked coach Coffey, what do you think, should we reset this game and start over,” laughed Smith. “He didn’t go for it.”

When play resumes, the Red Raiders will have possession of the ball on their own 15-yard line (that following a penalty after the kick-off).