Rival Mainland Blasts Ocean City on Gridiron

Any hopes of a second-half comeback by Ocean City High School were quickly dismissed by rival Mainland.

The Mustangs scored twice in 17 seconds in the first minute of the third quarter en route to a 35-6 win at Carey Stadium in Ocean City.

“We didn’t execute very well today,” Ocean City senior Ben Bethea said. “We didn’t execute the right way. “

The game started on Sept. 23, but was postponed because of lightning. The two teams picked up where it left off with the Red Raiders down 7-0, with the ball on their own 15 and 8:49 remaining in the first quarter.

Mainland led at halftime 14-0, and put the game away 42 seconds into the third quarter. The Mustangs opened the half with a long kickoff return by Chris Waller that would have been a touchdown if not for an illegal block on the play.

It didn't matter much as running back Zack Storr scored from 20 yards out on the next play to put Mainland ahead, 21-0, 25 seconds into the second half.

Mainland added to their score, as Matt DeSalle returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown 17 seconds later on the first play of Ocean City’s next possession for the 28-0 lead.

“They scored two touchdowns in 42 seconds (of the second half), and they scored right before the half, so it was like three touchdowns in two minutes,” Ocean City coach Kevin Smith said. “At that point the game is over.

“Until our team leadership is better and until we do a better job coaching the kids out of those situations, those things are going to continue to happen. All three games, when something has gone wrong it seemed to have steamrolled us a little bit.”

Ocean City entered Monday down by a touchdown after Waller scored on a pass from Tommy Bradway on Friday night.

The Red Raiders started Monday like they were ready to put that early score behind them. Ocean City seemed to be on its way to tying the score after Bethea rumbled 70 yards down to the Mainland 10 yard line on Ocean City's second play from scrimmage.

However, the Red Raiders squandered the opportunity with a fumble and two incomplete passes after getting to the Mainland 4 yard line.

“We had momentum,” Bethea said. “We drove down field, but we couldn’t punch it in and score.”

The Red Raiders forced the Mustangs to punt from their own end zone. Mainland punter Jim Cooper fielded a snap on two bounces, rolled away from Ocean City defenders, and got off a left-footed kick to the 37 yard line.

However, Ocean City failed to take advantage of the short field and gave the ball back to Mainland.

Ocean City blocked a Mainland field goal attempt later in the second quarter, but again failed to find the end zone.

Mainland quarterback Tom Bradway then found running back Chris Kaczmarski for a 9-yard touchdown pass for the 14-0 lead with 1:21 remaining in the half.

Ocean City finally found the end zone in the third quarter, as quarterback Chris Gabor connected with Matt Schuler for a 16-yard touchdown. Kick returner Chris Turner set up the touchdown with a 63-yard return, weaving in and out of traffic down to the Mainland 30.

Mainland answered with a 16-play scoring drive, finished off with a 1-yard plunge by Waller. Waller had the big play on the drive, breaking away for a 20-yard gain.

“You can’t make excuses,” Smith said. “Mainland executed and we didn’t execute.”