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Eastern
Tech Gets Revenge on Chesapeake 20-6, Advances to State Semifinals
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Article & photos by Ben Boehl -
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The Eastern Tech
Mavericks are back in the 2A Football State Semifinals
for the third straight year after defeating their Essex rival
Chesapeake Bayhawks 20-6 at CCBC-Dundalk last Friday night. Eastern
Tech was led by their defense and quarterback Zach Burkhardt, who had
133 yards rushing and a touchdown.
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Chesapeake’s
TeAndre Gamble tackles Tech’s Zach Burkhardt after a
Maverick first down.
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The Bayhawks handed Eastern Tech its first regular season loss in
three years 15-13 back on Sept. 26, but the Mavericks were too much for
Chesapeake in the rematch.
“When you get beat by a good team, it motivates you to get a second
bite at the apple,” said Eastern Tech coach Marc Mesaros. “The whole
thing was about getting another chance at some redemption. We knew that
they are a great team.”
Chesapeake’s offense grabbed a quick 6-0 after a 30-yard Cory Polston
touchdown run. Polston also had two touchdowns and 75 yards rushing in
the first game, but only added 21 yards after his touchdown run. The
Mavericks dominated the Chesapeake offense after the Polston touchdown.
Chesapeake’s offense only picked up one first down in the second half.
Jacob McNew led Tech with three sacks and six tackles. Emmanuel
Gbor also had two sacks and six tackles.
Chesapeake’s coach Mark Junker was an assistant coach with Mesaros at
Patterson High School and he has a lot of respect for his friend’s team.
“Eastern Tech played a better game tonight. They were ready to play and
they played hard and their guys were real physical,” he stated. “It’s a
real attribute to Coach Mesaros and an attribute to Eastern Tech.”
Eastern Tech led 7-6 at the half after a Chuky Iweh 7-yard touchdown
run and extended the lead to 13-6 after a Marquiese Bannister 10-yard
touchdown run. Even though Chesapeake couldn’t move the ball on
offense, their defense kept it close as they forced three Maverick
turnovers. The Bayhawks were only down seven in the final minutes, but
Burkhardt intercepted a pass on defense and scored on a 28-yard
touchdown run on the next play to seal the victory.
“I credit my supporting cast. My backfield and my linemen worked hard
this week in practice and they had a great game tonight. My running
backs stepped it up tonight which gave me open lanes,” Burkhardt said.
Mesaros credits Chesapeake on a great season and even admitted he was a
little proud of the Bayhawks for knocking off his team in September.
“When they beat us I was sad they beat us, but I was so proud of Coach
Junker and what he has done over there at Chesapeake,” Mesaros said.
“This Chesapeake team is elevating Baltimore County Football. They
should be real proud of what they’ve done this year.”
After the game, Eastern Tech caught a huge break as two of the top
three seeds in the other 2A regions lost, which means Tech gets another
home game. They will play Douglass of Prince George’s County Friday at
7 p.m. at CCBC-Essex.
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Maverick
running back Marquiese Bannister across the end zone for a touchdown as
he is being tackled by Chesapeake defender Marcus Kearney.
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Bayhawk
coach Mark Junker greets Maverick coach Marc Mesaros. |
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