By Stan Caldwell
stanmansportsfan.com
LUMBERTON – For most of his short career at Lumberton, sophomore Robert Henry has been known for his ability as a 1,000-yard running back.
But when the Panthers needed someone to make a game-saving play on defense, it was Henry who stepped up and got it done.
Henry’s interception at the Panthers’ 3-yard line with five seconds to play preserved Lumberton’s 7-0 victory over Stringer in a showdown between the top two teams in Region 4-1A.
The victory clinched a third consecutive region title for Lumberton (9-1 overall, 5-0 region) and ensured that the Panthers will be at home throughout the Class 1A playoffs. Stringer (9-2, 4-1) is assured of finishing second in the region.
“Honestly, I thought there would be more points scored,” said Lumberton coach Zach Jones. “I didn’t think it would be a 42-38 game, but I felt like it would be more of a 28-21 type game.
“Our defensive coordinator, Jonathan Ladner, had a great game plan, and we had our kids exactly where they were supposed to be. This was the most physical we’ve been on defense all season.”
The Panthers had to be physical in a game where yards and points were at a premium. In the end, the only points of game came in the second quarter on a 4-yard run by senior Davion Edwards, followed by Jake Robinson’s PAT kick.
The six-play, 40-yard scoring drive came after Lumberton junior Jayson Buckley intercepted a pass, the first of three picks against Red Devil quarterback Cayleb Dyess.
The Panthers converted a fourth down on a 16-yard keeper by quarterback Jared Tribbet to the Stringer 15, then Tribbet hit senior Daylan Young for 11 yards to set up the scoring play.
Tribbet only completed 6 of 17 passes for 94 yards, but they all went to Young and they all came at critical moments in the game.
“This was a very special moment, to win a district championship on Senior Night,” said Young. “I like our quarterback. If he puts it in the right spots, I’ll catch it.”
Lumberton’s other interception came after the Red Devils drove to a first down inside the Panthers’ 20 in the third quarter following a fumble.
Lumberton also stopped Stringer three times on fourth down in the first half on the Panthers’ side of the field, including a stop at their own 12-yard line late in the first quarter.
A big key for Lumberton was keying on Stringer senior tailback Anthony Thomas, who came into the game with more than 1,300 rushing yards for the season. The Panthers held Thomas to a net of just 23 yards on 21 carries.
“We knew everywhere he was going,” said Lumberton defensive end Augustus Sandifer. “Our coaches put us in the right spots, and all we had to do was make the plays.”
Lumberton had a chance to pad its lead at the end of the first half, after Henry’s only breakaway run, a 40-yard dash from the Panthers’ 25 to the Stringer 35. However, Robinson’s 33-yard field goal attempt was wide right.
Henry finished the night with 108 yards on 25 carries.
“Their linebackers were good, and we had to fight for the yards,” said Henry. “But overall, I thought we played well on both sides of the ball.”
The frantic final series of the game started when Stringer got the ball back at their own 40 with 1:36 to play and two time outs.
The Red Devils converted a third down on a flea flicker from Omarion Bridges to Dyess, Dyess completed an 11-yard pass to Connor Hicks on a fourth-and-10 to the Lumberton 11, then Dyess and Hicks hooked up again on an 8-yard play to the Panthers’ 3.
After spiking the ball to stop the clock with 12 seconds to play, Dyess rolled to his right on the next play, but Henry stepped in front of the pass and secured the ball as he rolled to the ground in bounds.
“Robert is an SEC-caliber athlete, and there are times when we need him on defense,” said Jones. “We want to get him on the field as much as possible.”
“In clutch moments I’ll play on defense,” said Henry. “I read it all the way. When the fullback went into the flat, I knew he was my man. I saw the quarterback’s eyes and I knew he was going to come my way. I just jumped the route and made the play.”
Lumberton will complete its regular season next Friday on the road at Salem, then will open the playoffs at home the following week against either French Camp or Leake County.
GAME SUMMARY
Friday at Lumberton
Lumberton 7, Stringer 0
Stringer 0 0 0 0 – 0
Lumberton 0 7 0 0 – 7
Second Quarter
L – Davion Edwards 4 run (Jake Robinson kick), 4:41 (6 plays/40 yards/2:16 possession).
TEAM STATISTICS
S L
First downs 10 15
Total net yards 156 292
Rushes-yards 31-53 44-198
Passing yards 103 94
Comp-Att-Int 10-21-3 6-17-0
Fumbles-lost 3-0 2-2
Penalties-yards 6-64 10-74
Punts-total (avg.) 4-169 (42.3) 6-139 (23.2)
Sacks-yards 1-8 1-1
3rd down conv. 3-12 5-14
4th down conv. 1-4 2-3
Time of possession 22:08 25:52
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Stringer – Cayleb Dyess 10-30, Anthony Thomas 21-23; Lumberton – Robert Henry 25-108, Davion Edwards 10-53, Jared Tribbet 8-38, Team 1-(-1).
Passing
Stringer – Cayleb Dyess 9-20-3-86, Omarion Bridges 1-1-0-17; Lumberton – Jared Tribbet 6-17-0-94.
Receiving
Stringer –Devin May 4-47, Connor Hicks 3-32, Cayleb Dyess 1-17, Omarion Bridges 1-7, Keyshaun Dease 1-0; Lumberton –Daylon Young 6-94.
