Sports - November 2003

Wolves claw their way to a win

NEWLAND— The Lincolnton Wolves defense played a game of bend but don't break Friday night as they held on to defeat Avery County 21-17.

Following a 32-yard fumble return by Vikings defensive lineman Ryan Aldridge to the Lincolnton seven yard line in the game’s final moments, the Wolfpack defense stepped up one last time to keep Avery out of the end zone.  Senior linebacker Pedro Fonseca's sack of Viking quarterback Ricky Spradling on second and goal from the seven yard line was key in Lincolnton's defensive stop.

     Avery County got on the board first on Spradling's one yard run midway through the first quarter. Following the extra point by Josh Aldridge, the Vikings led 7-0.

The Wolves answered right back.  On fourth and goal from the Avery five yard line, quarterback Zack Gibson found tight end Kyle Snyder all alone in the end zone for the score.  Roy Gomez added the point after, and the game was tied at seven.

Late in the first half, after Aldridge had given the Vikings a 10-7 lead with a twenty-five yard field goal, the Wolves had probably their biggest offensive play of the night.  On third and five from their own 39 yard line, Lincolnton coach Scott Cloninger went into his bag of tricks.

Gibson took the snap and tossed the ball laterally to Fonseca out near the sideline. Fonseca then hit wide out Brian Ebert cutting across the field all alone for a 61-yard touchdown pass.

Gomez added the extra point, and the Wolves headed in at the break with a 14-10 lead.

On the opening drive of the second half, the Vikings drove deep into Lincolnton territory. On first and goal from the ten, running back Daniel Barefumbled as he was hit at the one yard line.  Defensive end Wesley Thompson recovered the loose ball for the Wolves, and they appeared to have dodged a bullet. 

When the Lincolnton offense couldn't manage a first down, the Vikings' special teams came up with a huge play.  Roy Gomez' punt was blocked, and Bare recovered it in the end zone for an Avery County touchdown.  The point after kick was good, and the Vikings had a 17-14 advantage.

The Avery lead was short lived.  After Dusty Friday gave the Wolves good field position by returning the kickoff 31 yards to the Lincolnton 41, the Wolves marched 59 yards on seven plays to regain the lead.  Bradley Dalrymple's 21-yard burst down to the Viking's three yard line set up tailback Darren Wilson' s three-yard touchdown run with 3:48 to play in the third quarter.

Avery County had chances to regain the lead in the final period, but aided by a couple of dropped passes, the Lincolnton defense withstood the test.

Following the final goal line stand, the Wolves still needed to gain a first down or two to be able to run out the clock. Wilson's 17-yard run on the Wolves first play and Friday's 23-yard jaunt on third and four from their own 32, sealed the victory.

Wilson was a true workhorse for the Wolves, carrying 25 times for 136 yards and a touchdown. Gibson was seven of 12 passing on the night, for 58 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings offense was led by Spradlings 254 yards through the air, completing 15-27 attempts.  Sophomore receiver Josh Johnson hauled in seven catches for 181 yards.

The Lincolnton defense played well overall, allowing only 68 yards rushing by Avery County.  Avery was able to move the ball between the twenties, but the Wolfpack defense did a good job in the red zone, allowing only one offensive touchdown by the Vikings.

Coach Cloninger was happy with his teams overall performance. 

"Any time you can make a trip like we did and win, you have to be happy", he said.

With the win, the Wolves improve to 9-3 and will travel to Burlington on Friday to take on the No. 1 team in the state in 2A football Cummings. Avery finishes its season at 8-4.                  

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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