Defensive stand propels Appo to first ever win over Smyrna

Appoquinimink football Desai Drummond hands the ball off to Nehemiah Peart. Photo by Donnell Henriquez

The Smyrna Eagles had never lost a game to Appoquinimink in five previous matchups dating back to 2015. In that span, the Eagles outscored the Jaguars 276-51. The seniors on this Appo team finally exacted some revenge Friday night with a goal-line stand and a 99-yard drive to post a 21-12 victory. Senior running back Caden Brown was named our “Delaware Live Player of the Game” with 111 rushing yards on 17 carries. He told us after the game, “I’ve been here for four years and we never had much hope (to win versus Smyrna), but today we brought it.” “I love my brothers, and we’re going to keep it moving brick-by-brick.”

Coach Brian Timpson and his staff are steadily building a solid program at the school on the west side of town. Two years ago, the Jags beat Salesianum for the first time. Last year it was the first victory over cross-district rival Middletown, and now the first win against Smyrna.

The Eagles looked like they would add yet another win over the Jags by jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the opening quarter. Sophomore quarterback Drew Marks connected with Phoenix Henriquez twice for touchdowns on a 21-yard strike on the first drive of the game, and later a 77-yard screen pass. However, the Eagles would not find the endzone the rest of the game.

Desai Drummond completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jahsiear Rogers and then ran it in from 8 yards out in the second quarter. Two extra point kicks by Jack Talley were the difference as Appo took a 14-12 lead into the locker room at the half.

The turning point in this contest started with a Smyrna drive late in the third quarter. The Eagles mixed sideline passes to Kahmaj Kearney and Henriguez, along with the “short yardage” earthquake formation to matriculate to the Jags’ 20. Marks ran the ball to the 12, and a face-mask penalty gave Smyrna the ball at the 7. Now the game hinged on Smyrna’s “earthquake” versus the Appo defense. Kearney carried the ball three times up the middle to the one. He almost scored on the third down carry but was stopped after a leaping attempt by Micah Jones. On fourth down and just inches from regaining the lead, Kearney ran into a “wall” of defenders led by Jones, Aaron Hall, and Jayden Triplett. Kearney bounced away but was denied by Omari Coefield of getting the score.

With over 8:00 left in the game, Appo put together a time-consuming drive featuring 7 carries by Caden Brown for 55 yards with the best attempt coming from his own seven-yard line. Brown broke through the line and gained 35 yards out to the 42. Desai Drummond completed a pass to Noah Hoff for 11 yards, but the bulk of the possession included rushing attempts by Brown and Drummond. Appo’s “ball-control” offense forced Smyrna to use all three time-outs in the hopes of getting a “stop” and have one more shot at the win. Drummond dashed those hopes with a 20-yard run up the middle and Talley’s extra point put the game “on ice” at 21-12.

The Eagles managed to advance into Jags territory, but Marks was sacked by Coefield (his second) to end the game.

The Eagles out-gained Appo “unofficially” with 331 yards to 289. Drew Marks passed for 196 yards and two scores. Phoenix Henriquez caught 12 passes for 170 yards and both of Smyrna’s touchdowns. Kearney led the team in rushing with 68 yards on 19 carries. Smyrna (1-3) faces Middletown in the Harvest Bowl next week in a game you can watch on Delaware Live.

Desai Drummond passed for 104 yards and a touchdown, plus ran for 51 yards and the other two scores. The Jags travel to the “castle” next week to face Sussex Central. You can also watch this matchup on Delaware Live in a battle of two unbeaten teams ranked in our “Super-7 rankings”.