Leemen, Scott only needed 40 seconds

STAUNTON — It took 40 seconds for the momentum to completely shift Robert E. Lee’s way Friday night.

Liberty-Bedford had marched down the field pushing its way through the Leemen defense. The Minutemen capitalized on their possession with a touchdown cutting into the Leemen’s 13-7 lead.

The Minutemen had taken all the momentum away from the Leemen and it looked as though they would have the momentum going into halftime.

The only problem that lied ahead for the Minutemen was that their was 40 seconds left in the half which was plenty of time for Dae’ Quan Scott and the high powered Lee offense to put together a drive.

The Leemen took the ball from their own 43-yard line. Scott was forced out of the pocket and was being chased by multiple Minutemen defenders.

As Scott eluded defender after defender Lee offensive linemen A.J Scott landed a huge hit on a Liberty player that sent shrills through the stands.

“I told him he better not let me get killed out there” said Scott with a smile. “It gave us some confidence going into the half.”

Scott was able to blow past the secondary as he was finally tackled at the Liberty 15- yard line after the 42-yard run.

On the next play Scott found a wide open Terrell Mickens in the end zone with 10 seconds left.

“I told coach that the play would work and all he had to do was call it,” Mickens said. “Dae’ Quan found me in the back of the end zone.”

Scott added the two-point conversion as he pushed his way to the outside diving into the corner.

The momentum had clearly shifted as now the Lee sidelines and stands were in sheer excitement as the Minutemen walked quietly to the locker room.

The Leemen carried that momentum into the second half where they scored two more times and did not allow a single point to the Minutemen.

Coach David Tibbs was impressed by the way his team was able to get down the field and put together a scoring drive.

“We did a good job of blocking, they were blitzing and we were able to find some holes.” Tibbs said. “Dae’ Quan found Mickens and it worked out well for us so I am happy.”