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closeYORK — Bennie McMurray knew it would be tough, trying to rebuild a once-proud Lancaster program, but the struggles were meant to pay off down the road.
The road hasn’t ended, but it’s a lot shorter than it used to be.
Lancaster survived a scary second half and equaled its win total of all of last year on Friday, 28-16 over never-say-die York. The Bruins (4-0), who only won seven combined games in McMurray’s first two seasons, controlled the game early and almost fumbled it away late, but two touchdown runs from senior Jamias Clark were the difference.
“We’re still learning,” McMurray said, shaking his head at the difference of the two halves. “As you saw, we still don’t know how to finish. “We’re not satisfied. Why be satisfied with four wins when you can win eight, nine, 10 and get to the playoffs?”
The Bruins could get to that plateau after passing their biggest test so far, but they’re going to have to learn to go for the knockout instead of letting the opponent off the ropes.
After the first half ended, Lancaster had seven first downs, 181 rushing yards, a 21-0 lead and a defense that held York (2-2) to 57 total yards. All the Bruins had to do was keep it up.
Instead, they threw away four straight possessions on three fumbles, a bad snap and a three-and-out. The Cougars quickly took advantage, Logan Bass hitting a 27-yard field goal and Quastin Walker sweeping left end for a touchdown.
Their lead cut to 21-9 with 7:34 to play, the Bruins tried to milk the clock, but Zed Truesdale fumbled with nobody around but York’s Daniel Dixon. The Cougars punched that score in as well, making it 21-16 with 4:22 to play.
Another three-and-out turned into another York possession, but Cougars quarterback Adrion Crawford was dropped trying to scramble for a big gain. York had to punt and Lancaster had the ball with 1:49 to go.
Clark had already slipped through a slight hole and turned on the jets for a 71-yard touchdown in the first quarter. This time, he plunged into the scrum, emerged, hit the left sideline and again kicked into fifth gear.
The Lancaster faithful erupted as he sprinted untouched for a 53-yard game-clinching score. York valiantly tried to come back one more time, but Crawford was intercepted on the last drive.
“I just want to give credit to my offensive line,” said Clark, who had 11 carries for 129 yards and the two scores. “I’m just glad I got the chance.”
York ended with 11 of its 15 first downs and 146 of its 203 yards in the second half. Lancaster had one first down — on Clark’s touchdown run. Clark was asked the same question. Are you satisfied with the win?
“No, we are not,” Clark answered. “We’re trying to get the best out of all of our athletes. We drive for perfection.”
LANCASTER 28, YORK 16
Lancaster.....7.....14.....0.....7.....—.....28
York.....0.....0.....3.....13.....—.....16
SCORING SUMMARY
L — Jamias Clark 71 run (Anna Funderburk kick)
L — Zed Truesdale 33 run (Funderburk kick)
L — Matt Reese 1 run (Funderburk kick)
Y — Logan Bass 27 FG
Y — Quastin Walker 16 run (Walker run failed)
Y — Walker 14 pass from Adrion Crawford (Bass kick)
L — Clark 53 run (Funderburk kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
.....LHS.....YCHS
First downs.....8.....15
Rushes-yards.....35-241.....41-145
Comp-Att-Int .....4-6-1.....7-20-2
Passing yards.....35.....58
Fumbles-lost.....4-3.....2-1
Penalties-yards.....4-40.....4-40
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING Lancaster: Zed Truesdale 13-72, Jamias Clark 11-129, Matt Reese 10-38, Jakeem Brown 1-2. York: Adrion Crawford 11-9, Nick Feemster 7-33, Quastin Walker 17-84, Logan Bass 1-(-7), Bryce Dudley 2-16, Taylor McSwain 2-8, Travis McConnell 1-2
PASSING — Reese 4-6-35-1. York: Crawford 7-20-58-2
RECEIVING — Lancaster: Truesdale 1-9, Michael Catoe 2-14, Shane Carter 1-12. York: Blake Peterson 1-5, Kendrick Thompson 1-9, Dudley 1-5, McSwain 1-3, Walker 1-14, Kent Thompson 2-22
RECORDS — Lancaster 4-0; York 2-2
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