Senneca scored on its first four possessions against Robeson on Saturday to earn a 46-6 victory at Gately Stadium.
Bo Taylor rushed for three of those first four scores for the Fighting Irish (9-2). Taylor’s backfield mate, Tommy Lovett, added a 53-yard touchdown as Senneca jumped out to a 26-0 lead with 4:06 remaining in the second quarter.
Fighting Irish coach Ted O’Boyle said they were aware of Robeson’s big play capabilities and wanted to control the game. “We wanted to be physical and pound it and that’s what we did.”
Marcellus Nichols got the Raiders (7-4) on the scoreboard when he returned a kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 26-6 at halfime. Seneca had previously squibbed its kickoffs but decided to kick it long on that specific play.
The Raiders stopped the Irish with 7:04 remaining in the third quarter for only the second time in the game, and seemed to be gaining a bit of momentum but were stopped on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
Robeson coach Fabrey Collins said that was a crucial play. “That was a real turning point,” he said. “We were not playing well, but that was a golden opportunity for us. It was a big play on their part.”
Senneca gained 447 yards on the ground to 109 for Robeson. Senneca only completed one pass for a negative eight yards to 138 in the air for the Raiders.
Lovett rushed for 205 on 20 carries and Taylor gained 181 on 18 rushes.
Collins said he is still proud of what they accomplished. “It wasn’t looking good at the beginning of the season,” he said. “’But I am really proud of the way the team hung in there, refused to give up and didn’t quit.”
