Banneker triumphs over Mays

By Todd Callahan

For the AJC

Having been pushed around for much of the first half, Banneker pushed back to open the third quarter and defeated Mays 32-14 on Friday night.

In a battle for second place for Region 5B-AAA, Mays (5-2 overall, 2-2 in 5B-AAA) led 7-0 thanks to a touchdown on the opening drive, but the homestanding Trojans exploded for a pair of touchdowns in 2:56 and added another touchdown late in the third quarter to take command of their homecoming game.

“We had to become the aggressors,” said Banneker coach Ed Gosa, who saw his team total 65 yards of offense in the first half. “We had to make some adjustments on the line, and luckily we came out in the second half and played our brand of football. We finally woke up.”

Sparking the comeback were the McNeal brothers, Demetruce and Demarco. Demarco hauled in a 9-yard pass from quarterback Tres Houston on the opening possession of the third quarter to tie the score and added a pair of interceptions in Trojan territory in the second half to prevent a Raider comeback.

Demetruce also hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Houston late in the third quarter that capped a 26-0 run. He also ran for an 11-yard touchdown with 2:54 left in the game to clinch the victory. Demetruce, the younger McNeal, finished with 37 yards rushing on seven rushing attempts. He also hauled in two receptions for 22 yards.

“This is always a rivalry due to our proximity, said Gosa, who led the Trojans to back-to-back victories against Mays for the first time since the 1988-89 seasons. “This is always and emotional game, and we just prevailed.”

Having been stymied by the Raiders for the opening 24 minutes, the Trojans (5-2, 3-1) took advantage of Mays having to kick the ball from its 25-yard line. It was one of the eight personal-foul or unsportsmanlike penalties calls in the second half. Only one was called on Banneker.

Demetruce returned the kick 20 yards, giving the Trojans the ball at the Raiders’ 42-yard line. Seven plays later, the Trojans tied the game.