Lindbergh rides running game to emotional victory over White River

Published 1:23 pm Friday, September 11, 2015

On a night that began with an emotional tribute to a fallen coach, the Lindbergh Eagles football team on Thursday raised their record to 2-0 with a hard-fought 28-19 win over the White River Hornets.

The Eagles running game led the way throughout the game as DeMarco Sauls racked up 103 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while Korey Solo had three short-yardage touchdowns of his own.

Lindbergh’s defense dominated the first quarter of play, keeping White River off guard and forcing fumbles. The teams traded field position through much of the quarter until quarterback Samuel Nehren hit Darrien Sawyer-Lamb on a deep pass that set up Solo’s first touchdown run, a 5-yard grind to put Lindbergh up 7-0.

White River responded in the second quarter, however, scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run and then picking off a Nehren pass to set up a 30-yard scoring run that gave the Hornets a 13-7 lead with 4:49 left in the half.

But Lindbergh kept fighting, mixing passes and runs to move down the field until Solo was able to punch it in from the 2-yard line for his second td of the night and 14-13 Lindbergh lead at the half.

Lindbergh continued to pull away in the third quarter. Just 2:43 seconds into the second half, Sauls broke off a 20-yard touchdown run to put the Eagles up 21-13. Before the quarter was out, Solo picked up his third touchdown on a 14-yard run, his longest of the day.

White River battled back with a rushing touchdown of their own in the fourth to bring it to 28-19, but the Lindbergh defense was able to hold on for the win.

Prior to the game, the Lindbergh team dedicated their season to Coach Noah Ramsey Jr., who died unexpectedly in June. Ramsey was 44.

Members of the coach’s family were presented with a signed game ball from last week’s opening-day win at West Seattle, as well as a team helmet before the entire squad gathered around Ramey’s family for a large group hug.

Ramsey’s finacee Ann Holiday said she was moved by the tribute and said Ramsey loved the team and the players on it.

“I hope his legacy lives on with the kids,” she said.

Lindbergh is now 2-0 on the season and will play at Highline on Sept. 18.