Linden doubles up game Keith squad
Linden used its running game to hang 36 first-half points and cruise to a 48-24 region win over Keith Friday night.
The Patriots, who tallied 409 rushing yards on 48 carries, wasted little time jumping on top when Charles Blackmon scampered 65 yards for a touchdown on Linden’s first possession.
Keith answered at the 7:19 mark in the frame when Domonique Jones scored on an 11-yard run to cut the deficit to 7-6. Less than two minutes later, Blackmon struck again with a 72-yard run to up the lead to 14-6.
Keith found a way to respond again with 3:46 to play in the quarter when Jeremiah Campbell scored on a 3-yard run to cut it to 14-12.
“We kept the drives alive with some penalties,” Linden coach Andro Williams said. “Their backs ran down hill. They were physical. They try to get those big backs in space and they do a good job of it.”
Linden turned the momentum in the second quarter when it worked its way to a 22-0 frame and stretched the lead to 36-12 by halftime.
“We did the things we needed to do to be successful in the second quarter,” Williams said.
Linden saw Justin Jenkins score on an 11-yard run to make it 21-12. Blackmon then scored on a 9-yard rush with 4:43 until half. Jenkins added the conversion run to make it 29-12. C.J. Robinson found the end zone on a sneak from a yard out with 1:37 to go in the second.
Keith came out firing again in the third quarter as Domonique Jones scored on a 33-yard run before Campbell found the end zone on a 5-yard plunge, cutting the Bears’ deficit to 36-24.
Henry Lee scored from two yards out in the fourth before Blackmon added a 6-yard score to set the game’s final tally.
Blackmon amassed 268 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries to lead the Pats’ ground attack.
“He’s one of those guys that practiced all week with high energy and it carried over to his play on the field,” Williams said of tailback.
Lee added 90 yards on eight carries for the Patriots.
Linden (2-0, 1-0) is off next week ahead of a showdown with Maplesville Sept. 18.