Dylan Harris, LaDuke Harris lead Floyd over Longwood in Parkway Bowl
Floyd QB LaDuke Harris takes the keeper to the outside for a six-yard gain against Longwood in a Suffolk Division I football game on Saturday at Floyd. Credit: George A Faella
In a wet and sloppy slugfest between the only two remaining unbeaten teams in Suffolk Division I, Floyd knew it was in good hands.
Running back Dylan Harris and quarterback LaDuke Harris (no relation) carried the Colonials over Longwood, 13-7, in the rivlary game known as the Parkway Bowl on Saturday at the William Floyd Athletic Complex.
With severe weather proving to be a key factor, Floyd (4-0) turned to its stars to carry its offense. LaDuke Harris amassed 107 yards rushing and threw a one touchdown pass, and Dylan Harris had 90 yards on the ground and one touchdown on 15 carries.
“LaDuke and Dylan are both dynamic backs… we have a dual-threat back there and that causes problems for any defense,” head coach Paul Longo said. “When one’s going one way and one’s going the other way, they both can take it to the house.”
And that they did. Dylan Harris bulldozed his way into the end zone behind fullback Krishmar Powell and lineman David Richardson and Amari Redd to give his team the go-ahead score with less than three minutes remaining in the game.
“In the ground game, it was about staying balanced, keeping the clock running and getting as many yards as possible,” Dylan Harris said. “If I see a seam, I’m going to hit it hard and stay up as long as possible and take as many people with me.”
LaDuke Harris led his team down the field on its opening drive and connected with Powell on an eight-yard touchdown pass just over five minutes into the game. Caden Lesiewicz added the extra point to give Floyd a 7-0 lead.
“That pass was a way to set the momentum up for the rest of the team,” LaDuke Harris said. “We wanted the out-route, and I had to scramble a little bit, and most importantly, no matter what, just complete the pass.”
Longwood quarterback Caleib Corbett got the Lions (3-1) on the board with 4:25 left in the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run. Danny Blank's extra point tied the game at 7.
Floyd safety Wally Crane intercepted a pass on the Longwood 26-yard line with 4:30 left to put his team in position to take the lead.
“Feels great," said Crane, who had six tackles. "First interception of my career… I just read the quarterback, did my job and picked it off."
Several plays later, Dylan Harris plunged into the end zone for the go-ahead score in the latest Parkway Bowl meeting.
The two rival schools are 8 miles apart, a short drive down the William Floyd Parkway.
"It’s a great rivalry because we’re both always very good football teams,” Longo said.
