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"We really felt like we were a playoff team in year three now," he said. "The guys know the system, bought in to the system, many in the offseason. We were really confident coming into this year."
It was a combination of suffocating defense and big plays that fueled Paint Branch (8-1 overall, 3-1 Montgomery 4A East Division) to beat Magruder. Running back Bene't Willis had runs of 71 and 67 yards, finishing with 172 on the ground despite being hit for negative yardage five times.
"It doesn't matter if I lose a couple [yards] here or there, because I know my line could help me pop one," said Willis.
Magruder (3-6, 2-3), for the most part, was solid defensively, limiting the Panthers to three-and-outs on their first two possessions.
On Paint Branch's third possession, however, Earvin Anumgba took a wide receiver screen 70 yards down the sideline for the score, breaking several tackles along the way.
"We don't want to come out like that ever again," he said. "In the playoffs, teams will take advantage of that."
Somewhat overshadowed by more celebrated teammate Ivan Tagoe, Anumgba, who finished with two touchdowns, is very talented as well.
"I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did if it wasn't for [Tagoe's] block," he said.
Coming right back, the Colonels' standout back, senior Marquis Morgan, went nearly untouched up the middle as time expired in the first quarter for a 55-yard game-tying score. The play was set up after a roughing-the-passer penalty kept the Magruder drive alive.
Willis grabbed momentum back for Paint Branch on the next play. His 71-yard run set up his team 4 yards from the end zone, but Troy Williams intercepted Xavier Staley on a fade attempt to Tagoe.
Staley got the start in place of Tracy Martin because Martin has a deep bruise, prompting Nesmith to keep him out as long as possible. Martin's first series was the last of the first half.
After a bad punt, Willis scored for Paint Branch on the short field to make it 14-7 entering halftime. Then in the third, after a Willis 67-yard run, Martin escaped pressure and found Anumgba all alone for the easy score.
The way the Panther defense was playing, it was more than enough.
Magruder had a chance to close the gap, but linebacker Courtney Wallerson intercepted Griffin Eldridge at his own 1-yard line. Another Willis score late in the fourth quarter after a time-consuming drive was the final nail in the coffin.
Paint Branch has one regular season game left, at home against Northeast Consortium rival Springbrook, who will need the win to have a chance at the postseason.
"These kids basically live next door to each other," Nesmith said. "It's going to be a big game next week; it's going to be a war."