What We Saw: Lexington 32, Blythewood 7

Chris Dearing September 9, 2023 @ 12:03 AM

BLYTHEWOOD | Lexington has built its early season success with a defense that might look undersized on paper, but they have given teams fits in racing to a 4-0 record.   That defensive effort was evident again Friday night when the Wildcats limited host Blythewood to 149 yards of total offense in a 32-7 victory.   The front seven sets the tone for Lexington. The group is led by senior Dylan Bolin and juniors Nathan Escoe and Artem Kalinkin on the line. What might set the Wildcats apart from some is the speed they have in the four linebackers - seniors Daniel Bryant, [player_tooltip player_id='997334' first='Montrell' last='Byrd'] (pictured), and [player_tooltip player_id='448988' first='Christian' last='Sexton'] along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='836316' first='Matthew' last='McAulay'].   “We have a lot of team speed in the box. That makes a big difference in what we're able to do,” Lexington coach Dustin Curtis said. “We might not be huge across the front, but we play with really good technique. Our linebackers fly to the ball. When you play sound coverage and not have a bust and do what you're supposed to do, that results in them executing at a high level.”   Byrd had a couple of sacks. The Bengals finished with just 50 passing yards and 99 yards on the ground.   Duke Cleary got things started for Lexington when he intercepted a deep pass on the first play of the game.   Sophomore Cam Morris, who was the leading rusher with 54 yards on 11 carries, scored on two short runs and the Wildcats led 14-0 after the first quarter.   [player_tooltip player_id='800020' first='Tyler' last='Chavis'] extended that lead to 17-0 before the passing combo of senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines'] and junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Brandon' last='Cromer'] took over. They hooked up on a 17-yard pass and catch that increased the lead to 25-0 at the half.   Those two were back at it to open the second half with a 36-yard TD strike in which Cromer shielded his defender to haul in the deep pass from Mines.   Cromer is committed to play baseball at South Carolina but Curtis believes he could play football in college if he wanted. Cromer had four catches for 100 yards.   “[player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Brandon' last='Cromer'] is a baseball player but [player_tooltip player_id='464895' first='Brandon' last='Cromer'] is also a football player. He's an athlete. He's special. When you're a Division I athlete, you're a real Division I athlete,” Curtis said. “He's getting better at running routes. He's getting better at creating separation. He's a big-body and boxes out so well. When he catches, he can get a lot of yards after catch because he can put a foot in the ground and make people miss. That's a special combination.”   Mines is also getting more comfortable with the offense. He's a three-year starter but outside of Cromer, the Wildcats had very little experience coming back at the skill position players. Mines finished with 178 yards passing.   “If you look where we've come from a passing game standpoint since the West Florence game, I think Taiden has really settled in. He's had his best two weeks of practice that he's had all year. He's figuring some things out chemistry-wise with these receivers,” Curtis said.   BLYTHEWOOD NOTABLES   The Bengals offense never found the end zone, but Zarian Williams had a 15-yard scoop and score to help Blythewood avoid the shutout.   Junior nose guard [player_tooltip player_id='1012579' first='Sterling' last='Sanders'] and senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='771091' first='Edward' last='Robinson'] at times made it difficult for the Wildcats to move the ball. They held Lexington to less than 300 total yards, but they had short fields to take control early.

BLYTHEWOOD | Lexington has built its early season success with a defense that might look undersized on paper, but they have given teams fits in racing to a 4-0 record.