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Our Spotlight Game of the Week took place at Ed Bassett Stadium where both Patrick Henry and Bassett were 1 and 0 following week one wins.
The Bengals were without starting offensive lineman Deontae Warren and running back Daniel Martin tonight for their home opener against the speedy Patriots.
Carl Deffenbaugh spent the night on the sidelines. and and has the lowdown on the showdown.
The Bassett fans were happy to see us down there. The Bengals won our inaugural Fan Frenzy contest -- and the thousand dollar check that came with it -- on the basis of a passionate voting base and some excellent strategy.
Trissie Blankenship Of Bassett, "We're to vote for other schools that were smaller than us so that if we had to go up against them in the finals, we'd be able to beat them. But we're looking at some of our sports where we don't charge admission fees to get in so we can help them to get the equipment that they need and deserve."
This week was the home opener for Bassett in front of those web-savvy fans. Scoreless through the first but early in the second Xavier Whorley took the handoff, sliced through the Bengal defense for a 16-yard score and the first points of the game.
Alan Fiddler of Bassett, "Yeah, Xavier's a special guy and he's going to get an opportunity somewhere and I know a lot of schools are looking at him as well and you saw out here tonight he's a difference maker. He came through for us."
Late in the half, after a Patriot turnover, the home team was trying for a quick strike. It looked like pass interference on the play but no flag -- at least until coach James Gilbert goes after the ref.
James Gilbert, "I just asked him what did he see, what did he see and evidently I asked a little too harsh, got a flag on myself and I appologize for that but just wanted to see what he saw."
But that would not last long. Patrick Henry received to start the third quarter. They ran a reverse and Rasheed Whorley was gone. One last cut back and Xavier's younger brother had the Pats up 14 with an 85-yard return.
Rasheed Whorley, "We was hoping to get a spark. We was down in the first half but we did good in the second half."
Xavier Whorley, "It boosted us up for real. We needed something to boost us up and I think that play set it off."
Gilbert, "Everything you planned and the adjustments you made at halftime, it just kind of deflates them a littles bit and then it's just kind of hang on and see whether your kids are tough enought to bounce back."
The Bengal attack continued to struggle with a fumble near midfield. After a steady diet of runs Antwaun Harried -- initially stopped -- but broke it outside for 17 yards and another Patrick Henry Touchdown. The score was 21-0 midway through the third.
This victory belonged to a stifling PH defense that rarely let the Bengals past midfield. A couple late scores made it a 35-7 final.
Gilbert, "It's not just the line. We had the receivers and the backs that were missing blocks from what I saw. I just can't wait to get on the film and see and go from there."
Fiddler, "Yeah, we played well. We thought our speed would give them problems and it did and we thought we played well defensively."