Big night for Lacroix helps Warriors to victory
BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer

PLUMSTED - New Egypt High School football coach Tom Farrell has been around long enough to know that defending against a team that runs an option offense can be a headache - especially if the opposition is equipped with a talented running back. That's why the Warriors use the complicated offensive set.

New Egypt running back Langston Lacroix was virtually unstoppable as the Warriors' option offense proved to be too much for Maple Shade's defense. Lacroix rushed for 170 yards and scored three touchdowns as New Egypt rolled to a resounding 27-13 victory last Friday night over host Maple Shade.

"Once we got in gear we rolled along very nicely," Farrell said. "We did a lot of nice things in this game. Our option offense really gave Maple Shade some problems. When you have a kid like Lacroix in your backfield, the possibility of making big plays exist each time he touches the ball. Our line did a nice job of opening holes for him."

Lacroix was a major part of New Egypt's offense last year. He needs the running back to shoulder more of the responsibility this season.

"He is the kind of player who you want to have the football," Farrell said. "He can do so many things. For us to have a successful year, we need him to remain healthy and be involved in the offense."

New Egypt was effective using the pass as well. The Warriors led 14-6 late in the second quarter when quarterback Dylan Rowley connected with tight end Dakota Havens on an 8-yard TD pass. The score capped an 80-yard drive. Rowley, who finished 4 of 6 for 82 yards, hit Lacroix with a 50-yard screen pass to highlight the scoring drive.

"That was a huge drive," Farrell said. "It provided us with a comfortable lead and gave us momentum when we came out to start the second half. We wanted to make sure that we came away points after a drive like that."

Farrell was impressed with Rowley, who started a number of games last season when starter Rich Panasuk was injured.

"He did an excellent job of running the option," Farrell said. "He made excellent decisions. He mixed in the pass nicely, which kept the defense off balance. I thought we did a nice job on that side of the football."

Defensively, Farrell cited the fine work of linebacker Cody Shields and safety Lance Sutton. Shields finished with nine tackles, two sacks, and three pressures, while Sutton totaled 15 tackles.

"Both of those guys were terrific," Farrell said. "They placed a lot of pressure on the Maple Shade quarterback. We forced him to rush. He never really established a rhythm against us."

In other area action, both the Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty football teams suffered opening-week defeats.

Jackson Memorial struggled to mount any kind of offense as it fell to host Southern 6-0 Friday night. Liberty was a 43-0 loser to Bridgeton.

Jackson Memorial tries to regroup as it prepares to take on Marlboro Saturday. Liberty is at Wildwood Friday night.