Short’s Big Game powers Linganore past Oakdale, 28-12
September 28, 2024
FREDERICK, Md. — Senior Amir Short scored three rushing touchdowns and added two interceptions to help push the No. 7 Linganore Lancers (4-0) past the No. 23 Oakdale Bears (2-2) on Friday night in a 3A West matchup between Frederick County rivals.
Linganore moved the ball methodically through the air and on the ground throughout the game, and also leaned on its defense to shut down Oakdale offensively. The Bears had a chance to set the tone early, as they received the opening kickoff, marched down the field inside the Lancers 10-yard line, and took nearly half of the first quarter in doing so. However, the drive stalled in the red zone, and Oakdale settled for a short Jason Roberts field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
The Lancers would answer right back with another long drive of their own which also took nearly six minutes. Short took a direct snap and ran into the end zone from a yard out to give Linganore a 7-3 lead heading into the second quarter.
Short impacted the game again midway through the second quarter, this time on defense. Oakdale was facing a third and long near midfield, attempted a pass on an end around by receiver Charlie Alt, but waiting for the pass downfield was Short, who made the catch inside the 10-yard line to flip possession.
With the ball backed up near its own goal line, Lancers QB Shawn Pelovitz was called for an intentional grounding penalty while being pressured. Pelovitz threw the ball into the ground behind the line of scrimmage while standing in the end zone, and that penalty resulted in a safety. The Linganore lead was trimmed to 7-5. But, Oakdale could not capitalize on regaining possession, and Linganore would take its next drive and once again hand the ball to Short to punch into the end zone to take a 14-5 lead in the halftime break.
Both defenses really shined in the third quarter as play went back and forth and neither team could seem to find a rhythm on offense. But finally, with less than 15 seconds to play before the end of the quarter, Oakdale was able to break the ice and Jamie McCathran crossed the goal line from 3 yards out to cut the deficit to 14-12 heading into the fourth.
But with its lead in jeopardy, Linganore fought back. Bradly Matthews took a toss out of the backfield, ran towards the left, patiently waited for his blockers, and then burst up the middle and ran 19 yards for the Lancers score, which pushed Linganore back up to a 21-12 lead.
After forcing Oakdale to go for it on 4th & 30 from midfield and come up short, Linganore got the ball back and closed the door, as Short scored his third touchdown of the game, this time from 3 yards away, to extend the lead to 28-12. Oakdale QB Alex Rodriguez threw an interception to Short on the very first play of the next drive, and the Lancers ran out the clock on an impressive victory.
Linganore will look to remain undefeated next week as the Lancers head on the road to face Tuscarora (2-2). Oakdale will return home and take on a strong Middletown (4-0) team.
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