9 and O-hatchee
- Updated: November 1, 2019
Indians complete second straight undefeated regular season, seniors now have won 40 games in 4 years
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE — Ohatchee had most everything it came to play for this year already in the bag, so the Indians could’ve easily gone through the motions in its final regular-season game.
But they didn’t and that made coach Scott Martin real happy. The Indians were strong in all three phases of the game and handled Pleasant Valley 41-8 Friday night.
The win gave the second-ranked Indians (9-0) a second straight undefeated regular season, marking the first time they have done that since 1975 and 1976. The only people in this program around back then were Martin and assistant coach John Williamson.
It also gave this senior class 40 wins in four years. Their regular-season winning streak is now 20 games.
“It’s very special not only for our kids and coaches but our community,” Martin said. “I’m really proud of our guys coming out and having that kind of effort tonight.
“When the region was sewn up, the playoff spot was sewn up, to come out and play really quality, efficient football I was real proud of them … just knowing we came out and played a complete game on both sides of the ball.”
It was a big night for senior Ryker Lambright. He scored three touchdowns – one a 30-yard scoop and score to give the Indians a 14-0 lead – and had an interception – all in the first half. Martin called him “like the MVP on both sides of the ball.”
“It’s the best total game he’s played since he’s been here,” Martin said.
“I just wanted to play well in my last regular season game as a senior,” Lambright said.
Domonique Thomas rushed for 154 yards and had touchdown runs of 50 and 52 yards. The Indians rushed for 273 yards as a team and held PV to 165 yards net offense (63 in the first half).
“I had watched teams on film all year play good enough to win but maybe not play at their best,” Martin said. “I felt like we’ve been consistent all year and our kids have really focused on the next game at hand.”
Indians starting quarterback Eli Ennis missed the game with a broken thumb, but Cam Foushee played in his place and held up his end. He completed a 24-yard pass on his first throw of the game and scored on a 29-yard touchdown run. The Indians even threw it a little wildcat to help ease some pressure on the new quarterback.
“It’s always been next-man-up and sometimes I don’t think they believe you, but tonight was a good proving point,” Martin said.
The coach couldn’t commit to Ennis playing quarterback in next week’s playoff opener against a yet-to-named opponent (projected Southeastern) but he could be available to play in the secondary.
Pleasant Valley still had a chance to make the playoffs even in the loss, but it needed B.B. Comer to lose to Fayetteville. That game was close early but B.B. Comer pulled away. The Raiders (5-5) ended the season on a four-game losing streak against four ultimate playoff teams with a combined record of 31-7.
“We’ve been one game away each year … you’ve just got to find a way to move from close to getting it done,” PV coach Jonathan Nix said. “To get over that hump you’ve got to look at aspects of your program that have to get better in order to get you from an almost to I’m in there. A lot of that starts in the offseason and spring training. Not making any excuses, but it’s been challenging in some things.
“I think the biggest thing going forward is making sure the kids are buying into what it takes in the offseason to what it takes to get you to another level.”
The Raiders’ focus was clearly on the game in front of them. Colton East scored their only touchdown late in the fourth quarter. It was a 1-yard run to cap a 15-play, 83-yard drive against the Ohatchee reserves. East finished with 102 yards rushing.
“There’s no give up in the kids,” Nix said. “That’s the thing I think these seniors will pass on to the ones who are coming, that you’ve got to keep fighting.”
| Ohat (41) | PV (8) | |
| 9 | 1st D | 12 |
| 30-273 | Rush | 46-121 |
| 1-2-0 | C-A-I | 4-11-1 |
| 24 | Pass | 44 |
| 0-0 | F-L | 3-2 |
| 3-35.7 | Punts | 4-20.5 |
| 2-25 | Pens | 9-80 |
Ohatchee 13 14 14 0 — 41
Pleasant Val. 0 0 0 8 — 8
Scoring plays
O – Domonique Thomas 50 run (kick failed), 8:28 1Q
O – Ryker Lambright 30 fumble return (Emerson Abac kick), 1:40 1Q
O – Ryker Lambright 29 run (Emerson Abac kick), 10:59 2Q
O – Ryker Lambright 18 run (Emerson Abac kick), 2:46 2Q
O – Domonique Thomas 52 run (Emerson Abac kick), 10:35 3Q
O – Cam Foushee 29 run (Emerson Abac kick), 9:15 3Q
P – Colton East 1 run (Colton East run), 2:47 4Q
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