Woodbridge breaks thru late for win over Laurel

It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. The saying holds true for the Woodbridge Blue Raiders after a 10-7 slugfest-type win over Laurel on Saturday.

After a scoreless first quarter, Laurel would strike late in the second quarter, when fullback Rae’Mier DeShields got into the endzone from 3-yards out. After punting on the possession before, Woodbridge would get an opportunity to score before the half, but a hailmary was dropped in the endzone, as Laurel would enter the half with a one score game.

The second half was much of the same for both teams, with both defenses forcing punts and turnovers-on-downs consecutively. Woodbridge quarterback Troy Haynes would be picked off by Laurel cornerback Deon Parker at the Laurel one, which would come back to haunt the Bulldogs. After a couple of near misses, the strong Blue Raider front forced a safety with 4:30 left in the game.

With good field position following a free kick, the Woodbridge offense would finally break thru. Haynes would hit Brewer for a 36-yard strike for a touchdown to give the Blue Raiders their first lead of the game. Woodbridge would convert the two-point attempt when Haynes found Antwain Holden in the corner of the endzone, giving the away team a 10-7 lead with just 2:32 left in the game. The Blue Raider defense would take over from there, with senior defensive end Shymere Vessels coming up with a big 3rd down sack with just 1:44 remaining. Haynes would lead the offense back onto the field after the stand, and kneel out the remaining time on the clock.

The win brought the Blue Raiders to 9-0, they host Delmar next Friday for a chance to finish the regular season unblemished. Laurel (3-6) will finish their season up next Friday night hosting Seaford.