Indians take out frustrations on Seaford

By John Denny
Staff Reporter

	Coastal Point • ERNIE TURPIN Danny Veith returns the opening kick-off against Seaford on Friday, Nov 4.

Running back Matt Williamson barely got his hair wet in the game, scoring four touchdowns and gaining 102 yards on six carries. Williamson’s scores came from 30 and 14 yards out (two touchdown runs). Jumping out to such a big lead allowed Head Coach Jim Bunting to rest his weary warriors to get a good look at his reserves and new personnel packages.

Midway through the second quarter, Bunting inserted his second-team defense and JV offense to give them some experience at the varsity level. Backup quarterback Nik Kmetz switched in for Eric Givans as lead signal caller and completed six of seven passes for 108 yards and two touchdown passes.

Givans — a tall drink of water — lined up at flanker and snared five passes for 78 yards, and Josh Dean caught three passes for 54 yards. Both reeled in touchdown passes.

“We knew that if we got up by a big lead then we would try some things,” said Givans. “I’ve lined up at receiver the past few weeks in practice and Nik’s a really good quarterback. Six-for-seven passing is good for anybody.

Quarterbacks tend to be possessive or controlling, especially about giving up their starting position, but Givans is happy to play whatever position will help the team.

“It doesn’t matter to me what position I play as long as we win,” said Givans. “Plus, it is good to get Nik time at quarterback in case something happens.”

“At this point, Nik deserved an opportunity at quarterback,” said Bunting. “He’s doesn’t have the height that Eric does, but he’s a thinking-man’s quarterback. It was good to see what he can do on Friday night.”

The JV offense earned their stripes going against an upset Seaford defense and, though they didn’t score, it was a victory for them.

	Coastal Point • ERNIE TURPIN Trevor Abbott tries to avoid a tackle during the game against Seaford.

Their second-team defense didn’t hold Seaford like the first-team did, but they held their ground.

The first team didn’t allow a positive offensive yard the entire time they played. Four first-half possessions yielded negative 1 yard, a safety and a fumble (both of which accounted for by Phillip Townsend). Twice, Indian River held them to two-play possessions and three-and-outs. Seaford’s best first-half drive (seven plays) was a result of a roughing the passer on third-and-long.

Seaford’s second offensive drive against Indian River’s second team began to yield results, but they eventually gave away the ball. Seaford gained 38 rushing yards on four carries, but linebacker Zack Kmetz stripped the ball from William Jernigan at the IR 30-yard line with less than a minute remaining in the first half.

Kmetz gained 17 yards on two carries, made two tackles, and forced and recovered a fumble. He made the best of his opportunities while in the game and took it one step further on Nov. 7 against Seaford’s JV.

He snagged seven Trevor Abbott passes for 54 yards, a touchdown and two-point conversion, as well as running for 53 yards on seven carries. Kmetz earned 36 of those 53 yards on a final time-consuming drive to secure the 20-14 victory.

Kmetz credited his success and development as a football player to practicing with and watching the older players.

“Our varsity is really good,” said Kmetz, “and practicing against them every day makes us better and helps us compete.”

“Playing on Friday nights definitely helps our game because it gives us experience against faster players,” continued Kmetz.

Fellow freshman, Dajuan Pitts earned 81 yards on 10 carries, as well as his teammates’ respect.

“[Dajuan] hit the holes better than he did all year,” said Givans.

With so many, the success achieved by the backups and JV players is important, according to Givans, especially coming down the playoff stretch.

“It’s important because it will encourage these guys to stay on the team instead of quitting,” added Givans. “We always knew they [JV] were good but their effort really impressed everyone.”

“For us to win in the tournament, our JV has to help us a lot,” said Bunting. “The varsity doesn’t get better without the JV. They give us all they have.”

Tyler Hasting, Perry Townsend and Mike DuNuble were held out of the Seaford game and Danny Veith left the game with a deep thigh bruise, so the Indians’ rusher corps has taken a hard hit going down the stretch.

Indian River has had to jostle around the running back rotation because of injuries to fullbacks Scott Bollinger, Josh Gott, Townsend and scat back Veith, so the break was good for featured back Matt Williamson.

“Matt has done what we needed him to do against Laurel and Sussex [Central] so it was good that he could get a break carrying the load,” said Bunting.

Indian River is set to host Smyrna on Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day) for their regular season finale. If the Indians beat Smyrna, they earn the No. 2 seed in the state tournament.