Lancaster gets by Camden, now 4-0

The numbers weren't particularly gaudy for the Lancaster Bruins Friday night.

Tandem backs Farrika Grier and Ant Foster, who combined for 343 rushing yards two weeks ago against Richland Northeast, had 62 and 71 rushing yards respectively on 16 carries a piece. Quarterback Darius Robinson had a solid performance with 127 passing yards and one touchdown, though he could have added to both totals if he and speedy receivers Taron Heath and Cordarius Tinsley had connected on their several missed big-play opportunities.

And with the defense holding Camden to just seven points, one may have expected a four or five touchdown blowout, as opposed to a 21-7 finish. But in the end the Bruins got the only stat that matters, a fourth win and another week with an undefeated record.

Turning point

The score at the half was 14-7 in favor of Lancaster with both teams playing relatively clean ball (no turnovers and just 35 penalty yards between them) and neither team imposing its will on the other. Lancaster had successfully kept the Bulldogs, who received the ball start the third, out of the end zone and the Bruins had a chance to go up two touchdowns. On a broken play, Robinson found himself surrounded by defenders and escaped one potential sack only to be grabbed from behind by another defender. On his way down he mustered a short pass to senior tight end James Killian who saw daylight up the left sideline and blazed for a 39-yard touchdown. Two plays later linebacker Desmond Ricks picked off Camden quarterback Devin Beckley to ensure a Bulldogs response would not be forthcoming.

Critical

Beckley went 14-of-29 with the quite a few of his 15 incompletions slipping through the hands of his targets. While the Bruins defense deserves some credit, Camden receivers missed opportunities to make plays on catchable Beckley throws.

Star contributions

Ricks’ big second half preserved the lead for the Bruins. The junior followed his third quarter interception with a big hit on a Camden ball carrier in the fourth that turned a second and one inside the 30-yard line into a third and three. A few plays later he picked off Beckley for the second time, effectively securing the Bruins’ win.

“I’m excited for Desmond Ricks” said Lancaster coach Bobby Collins. “I think he's a D-1 player and I’m glad the lightbulb came on for him tonight.”

Overheard

“(Lewisville) is an in town rivalry, 15 minutes away from here. I'm expecting it to be packed. I'm expecting for our guys to come out and execute and get a win,” said Collins concerning next week’s matchup. The win would make the Bruins 7-0 going into league play.

On deck

Lancaster defends it's turf against visiting Lewisville Friday Sept. 25, while Camden is at home against Lakewood.

Box score

Lancaster 21, Camden 7

SCORING SUMMARY

Camden 7;0;0;0- 7

Lancaster 7;7;7;0- 21

First quarter

LHS - Ant Foster 7 run (Trevor Lathan kick) 7:56

CHS - Barrett Coleman 20 run (Robert Warnock kick) 33.5

Second quarter

LHS - Farrika Grier 1 run (Lathan kick) 1:46

Third quarter

LHS - James Killian 39 pass from Darius Robinson (Lathan kick) 4:18

Fourth quarter

N/A

TEAM STATISTICS

C;L

First downs 11;17

Rushes-yards 23-73;39-172

Passing 14-29-2;8-13-0

Passing yards 153;127

Fumbles-lost 2-0;0-0

Penalties-yards 3-20;6-40

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING Camden: Beckley 3- -1; Kelly 3-3; Coleman 5-30; Jordan 1-2; Jones 9-32; McCray 2-7. Lancaster: Ant Foster 16-72; Grier 16-62; Robinson 6-39; Tinsley 1-0.

PASSING Camden: Beckley 14-29-2-0, 153 yards. Lancaster: Robinson 8-0-1, 127 yards

RECEIVING Camden: Kelly 2-72; Roberts 1-12; Barnes 6-39; Rankin 3-12; Watson 1-5; Jefferson 1-13. Lancaster: Heath 2-16; Tinsley 3-60; Foster 1-8; Killian 2-43.

RECORDS Camden 1-3; Lancaster 4-0

This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 1:18 AM with the headline "Lancaster gets by Camden, now 4-0."