JaQuan Burton is a standout running back for the Hereford Bulls, a playmaker who scores touchdowns and leads the offense.
As impressive as the offensive part of his game was, it was his defense, along with that of the rest of the Bulls, that starred Friday night as the host Bulls defeated Randallstown, 15-12, in a key game for both teams.
How important was Burton? He contributed 145 yards from scrimmage on 21 carries and a touchdown on offense, an interception on defense, and several tackles for loss to lead Hereford (3-1) in a game that featured offense in the first half and defense in the second.
“He’s a great player,” Hereford coach John Walter said. “He comes every Friday night ready to play. His football IQ is unbelievable. He’s not very vocal, but they follow his lead.”
The Rams began the game with a clock-chewing drive. Randallstown put together a nine-play, 70-yard drive, with Levi Morris converting on a third-and-4 to keep it alive. The Rams finally ended the drive when quarterback Jahceir Thomas called his own number and ran up the middle untouched from 29 yards out for a 6-0 lead after a blocked extra point.
The Bulls responded on their next drive. Hereford kept the ball on the ground and drove to the Randallstown 26 before Ian Smith caught a 10-yard pass from Griffin Walter on a third-and-4 to extend the drive. Four plays later, Burton ran the ball in from the 2-yard line to tie the game. After a conversion pass from Shilling to Walter, the Bulls led 8-6 with 9:56 left in the second quarter.
On their next drive, Randallstown would turn in the play of the night. On a second-and-5 from the Rams’ 36-yard line, Na’Ry Watson got behind the Hereford defense for a pass that he caught from Thomas at about the Hereford 20-yard line, and walked into the end zone untouched for a 64-yard score. After a failed conversion pass, the Rams had a 12-8 lead with 8:19 left in the first half.
The Bulls again responded on their next possession. On second-and-goal, Reed Shilling caught a pass in the front of the end zone to cap an 11-play, 66-yard drive to take the lead back at 15-12 after the extra point with 3:24 left in the first half.
The Rams got the ball back and drove it down to the to the 30 yard-line, but Burton contributed his interception with six seconds left in the half to preserve the lead at the break.
As much as the first half was all about offense, the second half showcased both defenses. Midway through the third quarter, Randallstown engineered a 59-yard drive that gave the Rams the ball at Hereford 21. On third-and-11, Thomas’ pass into the end zone was intercepted by Hereford’s Chase Sturgis in the front corner with 12 seconds left in the third quarter.
Two possessions later, it was Randallstown’s turn to make a big play. The Bulls got the ball at their own 47-yard line, and four plays later Burton took a handoff and darted down the side line for a 39-yard gain to the Rams’ 1. As full back Brad Chellen tried to cross the goal line two plays later, a Randallstown defender stripped the ball. Another Ram scooped it up and advanced it to the Hereford 22 with 7:09 left.
However, the Bulls’ defense held.
Randallstown got the ball back one last time, advancing from their own 22-yard line to the Hereford 33, but on a fourth-and-nine with 4:53 left, Thomas was sacked by Hereford’s Quinn Walter to end the drive.
After that, Hereford got the ball back and advanced it from their own 44 to the Rams 2-yard line. The game ended with quarterback Walter taking a knee.
“I think my team on defense did a good job,” Burton said. “We got two stops. I think everybody played to the best of their ability. Our defense played a heck of a game.”
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