Ocean Lakes rally erases 'nightmare'

Posted to: High Schools Ocean Lakes Sports Virginia Beach
Login or register to post comments

By Jami Frankenberry
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 2, 2011

VIRGINIA BEACH

Ocean Lakes' Eli Harold spent a sleepless Friday night - and early Saturday morning - watching what he called "a nightmare."

Harold was up until 2 a.m. viewing replays of Friday's two-plus quarters against Salem in a high school football game that weather halted with the SunDevils leading 14-3.

"No matter what we did good," Harold said, "they'd come right back and do something great."

Given a second chance, Harold and the Dolphins revived their Beach District title hopes and created a logjam in the standings.

Harold scored two touchdowns and led a stout defensive effort as No. 6 Ocean Lakes rallied past second-ranked Salem for an 18-14 victory Saturday at the Sports-plex.

The Dolphins (5-1) handed the SunDevils their first loss and joined Salem (4-1) and Landstown (4-1) atop the district with one loss.

"The momentum was on our side from when we stepped foot on this field," Harold said. "We did all we could do to get this victory."

After Friday night, Salem appeared on its way to a win that would have all but clinched the SunDevils' third Beach title in six seasons. Quarterback Bucky Hodges threw a 58-yard TD pass to Divante Walker and a 57-yarder to Darius Frederick before lightning and rain forced the game's suspension with 3:04 left in the third quarter.

On Saturday, Ocean Lakes put together two back-to-back scoring drives of 50 yards or less, with Harold carrying for 2- and 7-yard touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation.

Harold, also a defensive end, helped the Dolphins limit Salem to minus-5 rushing yards on seven attempts Saturday, while Hodges completed six 6 of 8 pass attempts - none for more than 17 yards.

"It was all about attitude," Ocean Lakes coach Chris Scott said. "We were able to get honed in and come out here as a team, and that's how the guys played tonight. When we play together, we're a pretty good force to be reckoned with."

Key stats: OL-Harold 11-73, 2 TDs rushing; Ajay Baldwin 15-87 rushing; Corwin Cutler 10-20-1, 90 yards passing; S-Walker 8-32 rushing, 4-72, TD receiving; Hodges 16-22-1, 2 TDs, 200 yards passing.

Jami Frankenberry, (757) 446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com

Twitter @757teamz

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.

How many teams get to review

Submitted by unity.1 on Mon, 10/03/2011 at 10:46 am.

How many teams get to review a game that had already started by watching film form a suspendend game with less that a quarter and a half left. Well you won the game. You need to thank god for lighting. Congratulations it was a good game.

Ocean Lakes Dolphin Football

Submitted by wendyw74852 on Mon, 10/03/2011 at 9:18 am.

OL has a great squad that rally together as a team and make things happen!! This team has unity and believe in the pushing forward til the end!! WAY TO GO DOLPINS!! Go away HATERS!!

No Different

Submitted by badkitty on Sun, 10/02/2011 at 12:52 pm.

Seems kinda unfair that only a "FEW" High School Football Teams, get a massive following, regarding newspaper coverage. Are we supporting only High School teams that make it to "State" seems to be true. A way around this Un-balance of coverage is to create a daily and Two page Sunday "High School" sports page in the Sports section of this newspaper, devoted in keeping the public informed regarding (ALL) High School Sports Teams. The fact is that local high school sports teams are not supported by school funding as would be other local high school sports teams. A balanced coverage approach, would over time creat more public support for their "Local" High School, and in turn, cause these high schools to invest more into their Sports Teams.

OL Win

Submitted by kathyd12055 on Sun, 10/02/2011 at 8:15 am.

Dear Ocean Lakes Dolphins, Thank you very much. Sincerely, Oscar Smith Tigers.

Lov'in our Dolphins!

Submitted by Reid_Greenmun on Sun, 10/02/2011 at 8:02 am.

While thos of us in attendance didn't see the bright flash stike the playing field, clearly lightning did strike during the game between the Dolphins and the Sun Devils! It was the spark that ignited Ocean Lakes and lead to their victory over Salem.

What an amazing come back! Down 14 to 3 when the game was suspended with 3 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter, the Dolphins were struggling to come to grips with VERY FAST Sun Devil players who were intent on reaching the goal line, out running everyone on the field in the process.

The temperature at the SportsPlex dropped suddendly on Friday night, as did the hopes of the Dolphin team and fans. Then ... all stop until Saturday evening.

Some teams would get down on themselves, champions rally.

One Quarter Team

Submitted by 757mom1 on Sun, 10/02/2011 at 7:52 am.

If you will eat crow from a one quarter win, you'll eat anything.

I came to own up,

Submitted by Conrad on Sat, 10/01/2011 at 11:43 pm.

If that Oscar Smith representative should read this I would let him know this is me eating crow. I will now admit without fight Oscar Smith is the best and simply shake my head at this loss.