Seahawks Hammer Bennett, 56-18; Near Playoff Berth

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's men's varsity football team came up with a huge win last Friday, thumping host James M. Bennett, 56-18, on the road to move, at least temporarily, into the fourth and final playoff spot in their new Class 3A-East division.

The Seahawks entered the game against Bennett last Friday in Salisbury in a tough spot, having come up flat in their previous game to Parkside two weeks ago. The loss dropped Decatur into fifth place in the Class 3A-East standings and had the Seahawks clinging to life for the post-season. The top four teams in each region advance to the state playoffs and the Seahawks had dropped into fifth place behind Atholton after the loss to Parkside two weeks ago.

Decatur left nothing to chance against Bennett last Friday, beating the Clippers in every phase of the game to cruise to the 56-18 victory. The win nudged the Seahawks into fourth place in the Class 3A standings with 43 total points, just three points ahead of Atholton and four points ahead of sixth-place Fallston. Atholton lost to Class 3A front-runner River Hill, 41-0, last week to fall behind Decatur for the fourth playoff spot.

The Seahawks still have a tough row to hoe in order to hold on to the fourth and final playoff spot including a huge game tonight at home against Bayside leading and unbeaten Wicomico High, which is 7-0 on the season. Decatur hasn't faired well against Wicomico in recent years, falling to the Indians 44-16 last year and 35-12 the year before. After the WiHi game, the Seahawks finish with North Caroline at home and always tough Snow Hill on the road.

Atholton appears to have an easier finishing schedule with three teams with losing records still on its schedule. The combined record of Atholton's three remaining opponents is 3-18. Also in the mix is Fallston, which appears to have a favorable finishing schedule.