Sports - October 2003

Ebert’s big night leads Wolves

D. Wilson’s 150 yards rush Wolves to 50-13 victory over Bears

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

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It was a tale of two halves Friday night at Von Ray Harris Field in the meeting between the Bunker Hill Bears and the Lincolnton Wolves.

The Bears’ passing game was clicking in the first half with quarterback Martin Turbeville hooking up with Demarius Miller for two 20+ plays. That combination kept the game close with the Wolves ahead 21-13 at the half.

The second stanza was a different story as the Wolves’ stifling defense held the Bears in check for 0 points. The Wolves, behind a consistent running game, went on to win 50-13. Head coach Scott Cloninger and his staff tweaked the Wolves’ defense at the half.

“We just had to make some small adjustments. They were not big things, just minor ones on the defensive side of the ball. We played a lot better the second half as a team,” he said.

Lincolnton’s first-half scores came courtesy of a 13-yard Eric Wilson run and a 5-yard Darren Wilson run. However, the biggest play of the half came when Brian Ebert caught a punt, got behind the blocking wall, received one crushing block by Bradley Dalrymple and broke loose down the Bunker Hill sideline for a 66-yard touchdown.

It was a special and emotional night for the 5’10” 155 pound Ebert.

Ebert picked off two passes on defense from his safety position and repeatedly gave the Wolves good field position on kickoff and punt returns. He knew that his mom, who passed away in November, was there in spirit.

“It was amazing with it being senior year, homecoming it’s just great. I know my mom up in heaven had the best seat in the house looking over me. I played up to my potential,” Ebert said.

Ebert’s night transcended football and got to the heart of the Cloninger.

“That’s good for him. I am so happy for that young man. He’s struggled this year early, but he is really coming around as of late,” he said.

D. Wilson had a solid first half rushing eight times for 67 yards and a touchdown.

The Wolves defense led by senior linebacker Dalrymple held the Bears to 14 rushing yards in the first half with the biggest play coming on Bears’ tailback J.P. Killian’s 10-yard touchdown run. Cloninger raved about his star linebacker Dalrymple.

“Bradley had a super night. He’s our leader on defense. Bradley was laying the metal to them tonight,” he said.

Dalrymple, who was told by the Bunker Hill coaches that he was the hardest hitter they’ve seen in 10 years, was pleased with he and his teammates’ performance.

“We came out strong, but still had some problems. We attacked the run pretty good, but we didn’t cover on the pass. They got us on the slants, but we came out in the second half and stepped it up. The second half we stunted a lot more. The linemen and everybody, it was a whole team effort,” Dalrymple said.

About the only thing that didn’t go Lincolnton’s way was E. Wilson being ejected in the second quarter for his involvement in an altercation with a Bears’ player after a play.

Despite the ejection he was upbeat in the Wolves’ locker room saying that it was a good win for the team and that he did not throw a punch like the referees perceived. It is unclear whether Wilson will be able to participate in next week’s game.

The Wolves were able to hold the Bears to nine first downs on the night, recovering two fumbles and picking off three Turbeville passes.

The Turbeville to Miller combination that had been so potent in the first half was unable to hook up for any big plays as defensive end Alex Mullen repeatedly got pressure on the quarterback. Corners Jordy Jeffries and Terrell Phelps also held down their respective sides, blanketing the Bears’ wide receivers.

D. Wilson ended the game with 150 yards on 18 carries to go along with three touchdown runs making a very memorable senior homecoming game.

Cloninger said that should be no surprise to anyone as that’s their game plan.

“That’s our plan: Darren Wilson left, Darren Wilson right and he had a good strong night running the football. The offensive line did a good job blocking for him and that’s why he is successful,” he said.

Wilson’s family members gave him some simple advice.

“I’m glad I listened to my uncles who told me to run hard and hold on to the football. I would like to thank the linemen for blocking for me and coach Cloninger for giving me the ball,” Wilson said.

Back-up running backs’ Dusty Friday and Darius Jeffries were effective in the fourth quarter with both running hard and breaking several tackles on each run. Friday scored a five-yard touchdown in the last quarter.

The play of the night came on special teams as reserve player Wesley Thompson caught Bobby Cook on a kick return from 30 yards behind on what looked like a sure Bears’ touchdown.

The homecoming crowd showed their appreciation for Thompson’s effort with loud cheers.

Ebert and his teammates are happy, but not satisfied.

“We need to keep it up, we need to keep working harder and harder each week. The competition gets harder every week it’s crazy. If we play good all season we have a better shot of getting a good seed in the playoffs,” he said.

Dalrymple agreed and said there is one thing the Wolves are gaining — confidence.

“Our confidence level is getting higher and higher and I think that’s making a big difference week-by-week,” he said.

Wilson says that the Wolves can’t dwell on this positive and must move on to the next game.

“We got to continue to play the next game better than we played this game. We killed a team last week and put up some big points this week,” he said.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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