Berlin Dolphins Advance In Playoffs

BERLIN- The Berlin Junior Dolphins opened up its Salvation Army Red Shield League playoff run this week with an impressive 19-7 win over the Salisbury Black Knights.

The Junior Dolphins turned in a near perfect performance with a dominant defense and an efficient offense. The Dolphin offense controlled the ball for all but seven minutes of the contest and the defense did the rest as the Juniors advanced. After the defense forced a four-and-out on Salisbury’s first possession, the Dolphin offense struck first on a 55-yard touchdown run by K.J. Purnell for an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dolphin kicker Billy Wheatley executed the first of three successful onside kicks in the game for Berlin and the offense was back in business. After an acrobatic catch by Purnell on a pass from quarterback Barry Gaines, the Berlin offense was back in business. The Dolphins punched it home on an 18-yard TD run by Devin Daniels early in the second quarter for a 13-0 lead.

Salisbury then put together its only scoring drive of the game, going the length of the field late in the second to cut the lead to 13-7 at the half. Berlin’s offense controlled the ball for much of the second half but had little to show for it on the scoreboard. Early in the fourth, Berlin scored again on an eight-yard TD run by Daniels to extend the lead to 19-7. Salisbury made a last ditch effort to get back in the game late in the fourth, but the Berlin defense held on fourth and goal and the Dolphins won the game to advance.