by Watson Cook

9/6/2011

IA welcomed the Oak Hill Academy Raiders to Legion Field this past Friday night. At the end of the night, the Colonels were also thanking the Raiders for their generosity. Oak Hill committed 5 turnovers on the night which led to the Colonels’ 39-14 win.

In a game that was never in doubt, the Colonel defense forced the Raiders to punt on their opening possession. IA senior Dustin Roncali returned the punt 78 yards for a touchdown, giving the Colonels the early 6-0 lead. (PAT was blocked) On the first play of the following Raider drive, junior LB Trey Roberson picked off a pass and returned it 30 yards for the score putting IA up 12-0. (2-pt try unsuccessful). The following Oak Hill possession produced the Raiders’ first 1^st down of the night thanks to consecutive 5-yard penalties on the Colonels. Their luck would run out however as their first actual play resulted in a fumble. The Colonels recovered at the Raider 21, took the field for the first time on offense, and needed only 2 plays before senior QB Taylor Marlow connected with sophomore WR Hunter Vance from 21 yards out for the touchdown. Marlow added the PAT to put IA up 19-0. After another 3-and-out for the Raiders and a poor punt, the Colonels took over at the Raider 27. Three plays later, Marlow completed a pass in the flat to sophomore RB Ashton Knight who bowled over a Raider defender on his way to the endzone. (PAT unsuccessful) IA led 25-0 at the end of the 1^st quarter.

The Colonels extended that lead on the first play of the 2^nd quarter as Roncali took a handoff from the Raider 17 and raced to the endzone. Marlow again added the PAT and the Colonels were up 32-0 with nearly the entire 2^nd quarter to play. The inept Raiders would fumble away their next two possessions. IA was able to take advantage of one as Roncali added his second rushing touchdown of the night, this one from 59 yards out. Marlow’s PAT put the Colonels up 39-0 midway through the 2^nd quarter. The Colonels called off the dogs at that point and would not score for the remainder of the game. Oak Hill managed to score on the final play of the half and again with 1:00 left in the game. Colonel sophomore DB Tristan Knight recorded his 3^rd interception in as many games as he picked off a Raider pass in the 4^th quarter.

IA improved to 2-1 on the year. The Colonels will be in action again Friday, September 9 as they travel to Greenville and look to spoil homecoming for the Washington School Generals. Kickoff is set for 7:00.Colonels Cruise