Towson upends Chesapeake-BC

Timely running and opportunistic defense equaled the end of three years of frustration for Towson High’s football team Saturday afternoon. The Generals defeated Chesapeake-Baltimore County, 16-6, in a Baltimore County 2A/3A league contest.

Senior running Michael Obineme rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns for Towson (5-1, 2-0 2A/3A), which remained tied for first with Catonsville and Eastern Tech in 2A/3A. Andre Dixon had a touchdown reception for Chesapeake (4-2, 1-2 2A/3A).

The Generals came up with three turnovers and an Obineme score over the final six minutes to end a three-game losing streak to the Bayhawks. Towson coach Scott Mathena said the Generals kept it basic.

“Our running game hung tight, we had some fumbles but we overcame it,” said Mathena. “We said play great defense and make the most of our opportunities.”

“It’s about the hard work and staying focused,” said Obineme. “Doing the small things and working everything out at practice.”

Obineme surged through an opening on the right side into the end zone for a 16-yard score, putting Towson up 15-6 with 73 seconds remaining. Jacob Armstrong’s extra point made it a 10-point cushion.

“Everybody went left, we hit the right, boom,” said Obineme. “I just put it into the end zone. They [Chesapeake] got some big boys.”

 It was a bit of redemption for Obineme, who was tripped up on a fourth-and-one inside Chesapeake’s 20-yard line. On the next play, Chesapeake fumbled a wrap-around handoff, and junior linemen Lorenzo Moore recovered for the Generals.

Senior defensive backs Damen Jones and Gabe Eicholtz each had a fumble recovery, and MJ Preston’s interception with under a minute remaining in regulation was the closer. The Generals capitalized on a Bayhawks’ mistake in the opening quarter as a snap sailed high over the head of punter Andre Dixon and out the end zone for a safety.

Towson started a drive at Chesapeake’s 45 with a 15-yard run by Obineme followed with Jones going for 25. Obineme scored from six yards out, giving the Generals a 9-0 midway in the second quarter.

The Bayhawks responded with a 12-play, 57-yard drive, capped by Dixon bringing in a five-yard pass from quarterback Eric Doyle with 25 seconds remaining before halftime. Towson, buoyed by the return of junior defensive linemen Azubuike Ukandu, limited Chesapeake to 32 yards in the second half.

“Coach just told us to stay in the gaps and we’ll win the game,” said Ukandu, who was sidelined with a back injury. “I’ve been eager to get back out there with my teammates. I’m so happy my plays helped affect the game and get us the win.”

Chesapeake put forth another solid defensive effort as Thomas Wooden had a fumble recovery and Robert Morgan had a fourth quarter interception to compliment the upfront play of Edwin Thomason, Jacob Beckham, Demetri Pearson-Palmer and Derrick Jones. But its offense continued to struggle without starting quarterback Delvonata Cole, who’s out due to injury.

“We need to keep working on fundamentals,” said Junker. “When you lose a big player, psychologically it’s hard for a team to overcome it. We were right in this game against a very good team. Hopefully this will give us some confidence, but you can’t turn the ball over four times.”

The Generals are on a wave of confidence as No. 9 and defending Class 2A champ Eastern Tech is next up Friday at CCBC-Essex. Towson has won nine of its last 10 games since a 34-7 loss to the Mavericks last season.

“This week was a program-test game and next week will be the same,” said Mathena. “In order to make the playoffs you have to beat playoff caliber teams, and there’s nothing bigger than the defending state champs.”

CLICK RELATED VIDEOS TAB FOR GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME INTERVIEWS