Cougars given cold shoulder
Lancers score first 45 points, roll to final
FREDERICK — The greatest season in the history of the Chesapeake football team came to an end on Friday night in Frederick.
The Cougars, in the state semifinals for the first time after winning their first playoff game and region title, ran into an extremely talented and experienced Linganore team and fell, 45-6, in a Class 3A state semifinal.
Linganore (12-1) advances to Thursday’s state final against Franklin at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Lancers are going for their second straight state title and seventh overall. They’re in the final for the 12th time..
Davon Butler ran for 200 yards on 10 carries and scored two touchdowns for Linganore. Butler did all of his damage in the first half and wasn’t needed in the second, as the Lancers opened up a big lead.
Cougars starting quarterback Dylan Young left the game with an injury in the fourth. Tyler Clark relieved Young and put the Cougars on the board with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Alonzo Wilkes with five minutes left in the game.
It was a rough night all around for the Cougars, who recorded playoff wins over Northeast and James M. Bennett to win the East Region title. This year’s playoff appearance was the third in four years for Chesapeake. Linganore, on the other hand, is in the playoffs for the 22nd time and will play for a second consecutive state title on Thursday. Chesapeake running back Khalil Gary is stopped by Jackson Ambush and fellow Linganore defenders during a Class 3A state semifinal football game at Linganore.
The Lancers took all the suspense out of the game when they scored on their first five possessions of the game. They won the opening toss and deferred and got a stop from their defense after the Cougars picked up one first down. Linganore needed just five plays and covered 91 yards—all on the ground—and opened the scoring with a 13-yard run from Anthony Bruscia.
Chesapeake picked up a first down on its next drive, but was forced to punt again. Butler capped a seven-play, 73-yard drive with his first touchdown of the game to make it 13-0.
The Cougars had a punt blocked on their next drive and Joseph Felton scored from 13 yards on the next play to push the lead to 20-0 after one.
The Lancers scored on their next two drives to make it a 35-0 game midway through the second. After the Lancers fumbled on their next drive, they turned the Cougars over on downs and added 10 more points before the half for a 45-0 lead. The second half began with a running clock.