BERLIN- The Berlin Cadet Dolphins this week began their post-season playoff run in much the same way they conducted the regular season, with a workmanlike 14-7 win over rival Snow Hill to remain unbeaten and advance to the Salvation Army “Red Shield League” championship.
The Cadet Dolphins finished the regular season last week with a perfect 8-0 mark and remained unbeaten this week with the 14-7 win over Snow Hill in the opening round of the playoffs. With the win, the Cadet Dolphins advanced to the league championship game next Tuesday against the Wicomico Green Terrors.
Snow Hill won the toss and started its initial drive on the 35-yard line. However, Berlin defenders J.J. Purnell and Zion Shockley teamed up to cause a fumble on the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage. A short time later, Berlin scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Devin Daniels to Devin Scott. Daniels then threw to Aiden Nichols for the extra point and Berlin led early, 7-0.
Snow Hill responded on its next possession, however, when an Eagles’ receiver got behind a confused Berlin defense and caught a long pass deep in Dolphins’ territory. Snow Hill converted the breakdown into a touchdown and tied the score at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. The score remained tied through a mistake-filled second quarter by both teams that featured numerous penalties and turnovers.
Late in the third quarter, Berlin got a big break when the Snow Hill quarterback was sacked on an attempted pass and fumbled, turning the ball over to the Dolphins. Berlin defenders Jay Poduval and Tyquan Briddell forced the fumble and Devin Daniels recovered for the Dolphins. After the turnover, the Dolphins went on a methodical eight-play drive featuring the running of Terran Wright, Shockley, Purnell and Daniels assisted by lead blocker Jason Jackson.
On one play, Daniels broke through five tacklers and carried three on his back for a big game. Daniels then ran the final 12 yards of the drive and converted the extra point to stake Berlin to a 14-7 lead late in the fourth quarter.
After taking the lead, the Berlin defense thwarted every attempt by Snow Hill to get back in the game and the Dolphins held on for a hard-fought 14-7 win. With the win, Berlin remained unbeaten and advanced to the league championship game.