4/24/2004 - Football
White Rallies To Knock Off Blue, 26-23, In Overtime

ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Freshman Adam Young (Cincinnati, Ohio) nailed a 28-yard field goal to give the White a thrilling 26-23 overtime victory over the Blue in Navy's annual spring football game. The Blue had a chance to tie the game in overtime, but freshman Chase Hobby (Clearwater, Fla.) missed a 37-yard field goal setting off a wild celebration on the White sideline.

"About everything that could have happened in a game happened today," said Navy head coach Paul Johnson. "You had penalties that killed drives, a couple of turnovers, big plays, it was a good learning experience for everyone."

The White team trailed 20-10 entering the fourth quarter, but pulled to within three with 12:59 left when freshman quarterback Eddie Martin (Cantonment, Fla.) scored from the one to cut the Blue lead to 20-13.

The White took its first lead of the game on the next possession when freshman Byron McCoy (Liberty, Mo.) scored from eight-yards out on fourth down to make the score 23-20. Freshman Ethan Gouge (Kingsport, Tenn.) missed the extra-point, which would ultimately set up overtime.

The Blue team, led by junior quarterback Billy Meraz (La Quinta, Calif.), quickly moved down the field until the drive stalled at the 24-yard line with 2:33 left. Junior Geoff Blumenfeld (Granite Bay, Calif.) came on to nail the 41-yard field goal, sending the game into overtime and setting up Young's heroics,

The Blue led 17-7 at the half as they got touchdown runs from Aaron Polanco (one yard) and Trey Hines (three yards) and a 42-yard field goal by Blumenfeld. The White's only score came on a three-yard touchdown run by sophomore Lamar Owens (Savannah, Ga.). The score might have been closer at the half had freshman John Chan (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) not picked off a Owens pass at the four yard line and returned it 60 yards to the White 36.

The two teams combined for 770 yards of total offense as the White gained 417 yards and the Blue racked up 36o.

The White got the bulk of their yards through the air, throwing for 275 yards. Owens, who in recent weeks has seen freshman Brian Hampton (Scott Air Force Base, Ill.) challenge him for the No. 2 quarterback spot, responded to the challenge with 168 yards passing and a rushing touchdown. Owens completed 11 of his 15 pass attempts, though he did throw two interceptions. Hampton completed three of his eight attempts for 60 yards, while Martin completed three of his five attempts for 47 yards.

"The quarterbacks on the White team did a nice job today," said Johnson. "Lamar Owens played very well today. Both sides threw the ball well."

Sophomore slot back Marco Nelson (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and freshman Jason Tomlinson (Arlington, Texas) both had big days for the White team catching the ball. Nelson had four catches for 102 yards, while Tomlinson caught six balls for 94 yards.

Sophomore Marvin Dingle (Coronado, Calif.) paced the White team running attack with 84 yards on 18 carries.

Defensively for the White, freshman Hunter Reddick (San Diego, Calif.) recorded six tackles, broke up a pass and intercepted junior quarterback Aaron Polanco (Wimberley, Texas) late in the fourth quarter that thwarted a Blue scoring drive. Junior Babatunde Akingbemi (Rialto, Calif.) led the White with 10 tackles, while junior T.J. Costello (Olmsted Township, Ohio) was in on nine stops.

The Blue team did most of its damage on the ground, rushing for 259 yards. Polanco led the way with 117 yards on 14 carries, while junior Michael Brimage (Birmingham, Ala.) rushed for 86 yards on 24 carries.

Polanco completed seven of his 11 pass attempts for 55 yards, while Meraz completed five of his eight attempts for 46 yards. Junior wide outs Lionel Wesley (Duncanville, Texas) and Amir Jenkins (Temple Hills, Md.) led the Blue with three catches apiece.

"I thought Polanco played OK," said Johnson. "If he's going to be the starting quarterback he has to play well and I thought he played just OK today."

Sophomore Luke Penrose (Reno, Nev.) led the Blue with 11 tackles, while sophomore Cory Colistra (Amsterdam, N.Y.) picked off a pass and broke up two others.


White 0 7 3 13 3 26
Blue 7 10 3 3 0 23

Scoring Summary
1st 11:34: Polanco (Blue) one-yard run (Blumenfeld kick), 7-0
2nd 13:27: Owens (White) three-yard run (Gouge kick), 7-7
2nd 10:54: Hines (Blue) two-yard run (Hobby kick), 14-7
2nd 1:34: Blumenfeld (Blue) 42-yard field goal, 17-7
3rd 11:37: Young (White) 32-yard field goal, 17-10
3rd 6:52: Hobby (Blue) 28-yard field goal, 20-10
4th 12:59: Martin (White) one-yard run (Clifford kick), 20-17
4th 6:57: McCoy (White) eight-yard run (Gouge kick no good), 20-23
4th 2:33: Blumenfeld (Blue) 41-yard field goal, 23-23
1st OT: Young (White) 28-yard field goal