Football: ‘Real deal’ Dorsey steers Tuscarora to Frederick Spires Football Championship in 42-29 win over Thomas Johnson

FREDERICK — Tuscarora head coach Vince Ahearn has seen his prized playmaker Rodney Dorsey put on some remarkable performances in his two years at the helm.

Through two and a half quarters of Friday’s contest against Thomas Johnson, and with a commanding 18-point lead, Dorsey was having another routine night. But what he did following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty might have impressed Ahearn more than any dazzling touchdown run he’s ever had.

After Dorsey got hit relatively hard in the backfield after the whistle, he got up immediately without saying a word, handed the football to the official and ushered his team down the field on the 30-yard penalty.

“I watched that guy get up, pick the ball up and walk over to the official and hand him the football. I looked him in the eyes and told him how proud I was,” Ahearn said after the 42-29 victory over the Patriots. “That needs to be recognized. That’s the real deal there. As a coach, that’s what you want to see.”

Ahearn didn’t bat an eye at Dorsey’s 136 total yards, or that he accounted for 24 of the 42 total Tuscarora points. The only thing that mattered was his Towson University commit steered the Titans to its third straight Frederick Spires Football Championship and third 4-0 start in school history.

“Congratulations, guys, truly,” Ahearn began while addressing his Titans in a post-game speech. “Number one, you got another freaking trophy. Two, you’re freaking 4-0.”

Tuscarora dominated much of the first half as they held a 28-0 lead four minutes and 50 seconds into the second quarter, scoring on their first four drives on a 2-yard run by Marcus Waddy, two runs by Dorsey from the goal-line and a 15-yard pass from Christian Edwards to Cortae Williams.

Thomas Johnson scored 10 points before the half when Eric Cox found Daon Thomas on a 39-yard score and a Tyler Gibson 27-yard field goal. The Titans held a 28-10 halftime lead.

The Patriots outscored the Titans 19-14 in the second half, charged by a 56-yard catch and score from Cox to Shamon Gennes and then a Melique Jeffrey 58-yard touchdown reception. Dorsey gave credit to Thomas Johnson, saying “they battled until the end”. While his head coach, Ahearn, said they need to weed out the “mental lapses”, do a better job of communicating, and refine overall consistency.

“We’re still trying to figure out how to play with intensity and a little bit more focus,” Ahearn said. “We’re working on it, and the kids know it.”

Up to date, Tuscarora holds one of the four playoff spots in the grueling Class 3A West and have added to their staple resume with Friday night’s win. In the first week of the season, the Titans defeated perennial power Linganore for the first time in school history. Then, they rolled to thumping wins against North Hagerstown and Frederick.

“It’s big for our team,” Dorsey said. “We moved the ball well. That’s what we need to do every game.”

Edwards finished with 262 passing yards, completing 13 of his 19 pass attempts. Waddy, who left the game in the third quarter due to injury, totaled 129 rushing yards and one score on 16 carries. Williams gained 138 total yards and one score on just seven touches.

For Thomas Johnson, running back Nicolas Bishop finished with 79 rushing yards and nine carries.

Ahearn and company are excited about being 4-0, but they know the meat of their schedule is on the horizon as they face MIAA power Archbishop Curley next week.

“You’re in the driver’s seat,” Ahearn said to his team. “But you better fear what can happen. Right? It is a long freaking fall. … When you get up high, it’s a long fall. Let’s take care of business.”

 

Box score

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
THS (4-0)	22	6	0	14	42
GTJHS (2-2)	0	10	6	13	29

Scoring summary

First quarter

THS — Marcus Waddy 2-yard run (Pass failed), 10:02

THS — Rodney Dorsey 1-yard run (Dorsey run), 7:22

THS — Cortae Williams 15-yard pass from Christian Edwards (Dorsey run), 1:54

Second quarter

THS — Rodney Dorsey 1-yard run (Run failed), 7:44

GTJHS — Daon Thomas 39-yard pass from Eric Cox (PAT good), 4:15

GTJHS — Tyler Gibson 27-yard field goal, 0:39

Third quarter

GTJHS — Shamon Gennes 56-yard pass from Eric Cox (Pass failed), 1:52

Fourth quarter

THS — Dex Prue 17-yard pass from Christian Edwards (Pass failed), 11:18

GTJHS — Melique Jeffrey 58-yard pass from Eric Cox (Pass failed), 9:29

THS — Rodney Dorsey 1-yard run (Dorsey run), 3:08

GTJHS — Eric Cox 1-yard run (2-point conversion), 1:09