BERLIN- Decatur’s varsity football team got a significant monkey off its back last weekend, beating Indian River, 30-28, on Friday for its first-ever victory over the Indians in the long series.
Over the years, Decatur had never beaten Delaware powerhouse Indian River, although the series has almost always been competitive. The Seahawks put the long streak to an end last Friday, however, with a dramatic 30-28 win in the season opener for both teams.
Led by P.J. Copes, who ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone, the Seahawks built a 14-0 lead at halftime. Indian River cut the lead to 14-9 in the third quarter on a touchdown and a safety, but the Decatur offense responded with a touchdown by Andrew Borradaile to extend the lead.
Decatur led 30-22 late in the fourth when it attempted to put the game away for good. The Seahawks pulled off a fake punt to extend a late drive, but the play was nullified by a penalty and the ball turned over to Indian River. The Indians drove down to score with 46 seconds left in the game to cut the lead to 30-28, but the Seahawk defense stuffed the two-point conversion attempt which would have tied the game and held on for the 30-28 upset win to go 1-0 to start the season.
The talented, athletic Seahawks will likely find out just how far they can go during a tough stretch against Bayside North powers over the next few weeks. Decatur plays Queen Anne’s at home tonight, followed by road games against Cambridge-South Dorchester and Kent Island before returning home against Easton on October 4.