Things didn’t go as planned Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium, but Delaware State football head coach Rod Milstead still feels confident the Hornets can turn it around.
Normally that’s something a coach says in defeat, but Milstead was disappointed in the effort following a 35-19 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg, improving to 2-1 on the season.
“I’m pleased that we won, but we’ve got to tighten some things up,” Milstead said after the Dragons of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association held two separate leads (6-0 and 9-7) against the Hornets.
“I was bothered that they were able to throw the ball as well as they did against us and we also played down. That wasn’t the same effort we had last week against the guys up top (University of Delaware). That’s on the head coach and I take full responsibility for it.”
“We just can’t come out flat,” added sophomore linebacker Ronald Holmes, who had six tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack to lead a spirited effort by the Hornet front seven. “We can’t come out like that, we have to be ready to play.”
Ready to play was Hodgson graduate C.J. Henry, who stepped in for injured quarterback Jared Lewis and threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers – Rakeem Smith, Nico Stout and former Wesley standout Jerrish Halsey. “I was pleased with how well C.J. played for three and a half quarters,” Milstead said. “He threw three touchdowns and it’s good for us to know that we have a quarterback who can step in when needed.”
“I’ve been waiting my turn and my number was called today,” Henry said. “We always say ‘Next Man Up,’ and I just went out there, did my job, and now I want more.”
Henry completed 9 of 14 passes for 115 yards. Most of his completions went to Halsey, who caught seven passes for 134 yards and a score each from Lewis and Henry, both of the spectacular, juggling variety.
“The coaches always tell us to worry about ourselves,” Halsey said. “We came out slow, but in the second half, our defense did a great job, so this week we’re going to get back to playing our brand of football.”
