Mike Bradley's Week Seven Power Poll

Week 7 Capsule: We had another battle of unbeatens on Friday night between Stephen Decatur and North Caroline and after that game Decatur remains the lone undefeated team in the Bayside. Based on the margin of loss that Kent Island had compared to North Caroline (KI by 18 and NC by 24) you could argue that there wasn’t much difference, but those Caroline TDs came late in the game. I still believe Kent Island is the second-best team, but some will still make the case for NC and that is perfectly fine, they are still a good team, but I am keeping them #3.

Yes, despite the head-to-head, I am placing Cambridge-SD over Colonel Richardson. I believe the Vikings are the better team and are the second hottest in the Bayside to Decatur right now. The Vikings have two more wins (and 2 against 2A teams), and their head-to-head loss was by a point on the road with an opportunity right at the end to win it. If they had lost decisively then I would have kept them below. But Colonel’s loss last week against Nandua, a team that came into the game 1-5 hurt them. I really wanted to tie Colonel and Cambridge-SD last week, but I try not to do that here. 

Even though I had them ranked below WiHi last week I did pick Parkside with the win last week although I thought it was a toss-up between the teams, so I don’t view that pick as an upset, but Parkside did of course move ahead. 

Your thoughts are welcome at mike@shoresportsmd.com 

*Some stats courtesy of Bill Haufe and The Star Democrat

Bayside Conference Football Week #7 

Power Poll/Game/Team Notes

1.Stephen Decatur (7-0)-The Seahawks defeated North Caroline 44-20, the second time in two weeks they defeated an undefeated team. Decatur is now the lone undefeated team in the Bayside as they improved to 7-0 for just the second time in school history, the last time was 1984. Decatur got out to a quick 13-0 lead and was up 30-7 at the half. QB Brycen Coleman threw 3 TDs, a 45 yarder to Ethan Bradshaw (who also had a 50yd KO return that led to a FG), a 38 yarder to Zahkari Baker and a 48 yard one to Tribe Wise. Coleman also had a long punt return giving Decatur good field position that would lead to a TD. RB Amarian Manuel ran for two TDs, one of 43yds and the other of 2yds. K Brogan Eastlack hit a 35 yarder. The defense after some early Caroline success on the ground held their own and kept Caroline down who scored twice late when the game was out of reach…Next Game: Thursday at Wicomico-6pm

2. Kent Island (6-1)-The Buccaneers got back on the winning track by defeating James M. Bennett 61-34 on Homecoming and Senior day on Saturday. The Bucs led 48-14 at the half and there was no scoring in the 4^th quarter when the starters were pulled…Next Game: Thursday at North Caroline-7pm

3. North Caroline (6-1)-The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the year at #1 Stephen Decatur 44-20. Caroline trailed, 13-0 early and 30-7 at the half. QB Nasai Bell had a 1yd TD early on to cut the deficit to 13-7 but that is as close as they would get. The secondary had a tough day giving up 3 TD passes among the other passing yards. Decatur between Coleman on scrambles or designed runs and Manuel ran the ball effectively enough against Caroline…Next Game: Thursday vs Kent Island-7pm

4. Queen Anne’s (4-3)-The Lions defeated Easton on the road 35-6 and now have won 4 of their last 5. The Lions got out to a quick 14-0 lead in this one. Fr. Jadereon Thompson returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD and had an INT. TE Jai Roy had four carries for 22 yards-2TDs and had a 12-yard reception. RB and bell cow John Connolly ran 18 times for 91 yards with a TD. HC Brian Mooney says Rodney Smith has emerged as a change of pace back for them. QB Lance Arnold who started for a second straight week in place of Devin Wright who is nursing a rib injury went 8-13- 72yds and had 5 carries for 51 yards and a TD. On defense Frank Constantino had 11 tackles, Carter Dickey (fumble recovery) and Hollace Branch each had one interception for the Lions. Will Conley blocked a punt…Next Game: Friday vs. Washington-6pm

5. Cambridge-SD (5-2)-The Vikings defeated Snow Hill 52-6 in a big 1A battle and have won five of their last six games. QB Blake LaBelle threw three TD passes including to WRs LaShaun Mooney and Antonio Bluefield.  K Luke Reinbold had a 20-yard FG. CB WR Tay’Mar Alexander had a pick six. RB Kayion Marine had a 60-yard kickoff return for a TD. RB Jayden Hollowell had a TD. Ra’quan Cornish had a TD late in the game. HC Toby Peer told me that they played great team defense, they played fast and rallied to the ball. As a team despite a strong start, he said he thought they could have played better in the second half but regardless was very happy with the win and where the team is at but says there is still room for improvement before the playoffs …Next Game: Friday vs. Washington-6pm 

6. Colonel Richardson (3-4)-The Colonels fell on the road in an upset loss to Nandua, VA 21-15. Three fumbles were part of the undoing of the Colonels. Brewer and Pickrom did the scoring for the Colonels…Next Game: Thursday vs. Kent County-6pm

7. James M. Bennett (2-5)-The Clippers fell to Kent Island on the road on Saturday 61-34. Bennett trailed 48-14 at the half but scored 3 TDs in the 3^rd quarter before starters from both teams were pulled in the 4^th. QB Liam Nelson had three TD passes, Jamereon Stevens had 3 TDs, 2 receiving and one KR. QB Zakai Smullen who does play other positions was moved to wing and WR so Nelson could throw the ball knowing they couldn’t just run the ball right at KI all day…Next Game: Friday vs. Easton-6pm

8. Parkside (3-4)-The Rams won their second straight and defeated Wicomico 10-0 last Thursday night at County Stadium over Wicomico in one of the Salisbury City Championship games. The Rams scoring came on a 98-yard Kerontez Bratten 98 KO return on the first play of the game and then later a K Rocco Tully FG. Next Game: Thursday at Queen Anne’s-6pm

9. Wicomico (1-6)-The Indians dropped their 5^th straight game this time to rival Parkside 10-0 in one of the Salisbury City Championship games. The defense again played very well as 7 of the 10 Rams points came off Special Teams. The offense continues to have big struggles as they have been shutout in two of the last four games and averaged 10 points in the other two...Next Game: Thursday vs. Stephen Decatur-6pm

10. Easton (1-6)-The Warriors fell at home to Queen Anne’s 35-6 losing their 6^th straight. HC Matt Griffith who is known for his creativity on offense used top DL Marvin Foster in the game as he rushed for 48 yards on 11 carries and a TD for the lone Warrior score which capped an 82-yard drive. Dustin Blue who continues to sub at QB was 10-20 for 64 yards, he also ran the ball for 60 yards on 17 carries. But Easton had 4 TOs in the air. Griffith said the defense had a good game plan and a lot of time players were where they were supposed to be but didn’t make the play. Injuries have been mounting as a whole and with 3-4 new guys on defense which was already young in spots, growing pains are going to happen. You also have tip your cap to your opponent…Next Game: Friday at James M. Bennett-6pm

11. Snow Hill (4-3)-The Eagles fell at home to Cambridge-SD in a big 1A battle 52-6. Zyheem Collick filling at QB threw a TD pass to Alijah Cotton for the lone score. It didn’t help that the Eagles QB Tyler Reddick did not play in this one and the team lost Jayceere Fields early in the game coupled with several other players who were out. HC Raheem Hammond acknowledged the struggles though in the trenches in the last few weeks despite the plethora of skilled talent. They can still finish the season strong and put themselves in a position to host a playoff game which is a far cry from where this program has been over the last several years...Next Game: Thursday vs. Northampton, VA-6:30pm

12. Kent County (1-6)-The Trojans got their first win of the year defeating Washington on the road 24-14. Among the scoring, WR Jonah Somerville had an 80yd return for a TD and a 60yd pass reception. TE Jysir Valentine had a 50yd TD pass reception as well…Next Game: Thursday at Colonel Richardson-6pm‍

13. Washington (0-6)-While the Jags remain winless after falling to fellow 1A Kent County 24-14, signs of progress continued with them scoring not once but twice in this one and playing in another competitive game. They had two other opportunities in the red zone but couldn’t score. QB Braden Corbin threw a TD pass to Develle Morgan and ran for another. Wayne Spence (who the team got back from being out) converted the two-point conversion and Coach Alec Meintzer said was outstanding running the ball and on defense. He also pointed out Jason Elliott who had never played football before this season had a fumble recovery, multiple tackles and held the edge well on defense…Next Game: Friday at Cambridge-SD-6pm

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