By Dave Ryan

CAMBRIDGE – They got back to C-SD at 1:30 a.m., but they returned with a victory.

The Cambridge-South Dorchester High School varsity football team traveled to Sykesville in Carroll County on Friday, where they defeated Century High School, 42-13, in a game marked by lightning delays.

The first kept the game from starting until 6:30 p.m. Century wasted no time taking the lead on a long run for a score with 6:24 left in the quarter, though the Vikings soon challenged. A fumble recovery and return to midfield led to Darren Belizaire’s first touchdown of the night on a Blake LaBelle pass. A failed 2-point conversion left the score at 7-6 at the end of the first period.

While the Century Knights looked to have an effective running game at the top of the first quarter, the Vikings’ defense tightened up, as seen in Antonio Blueford’s tackle of a Knight for a loss that helped to stall the home team’s drive.

C-SD’s special teams came to play as well – a Viking punt was recovered by the visitors at the Knight’s 15-yardline, leading to another LaBelle-Belizaire connection for a TD, to make it 14-7 after a good 2-point try.

C-SD’s own ground game gobbled up the yards in the third quarter, with gains by William Jackson to start a drive, followed Jaden Ferguson breaking free for a 35-yard race to the end zone and a tally of 20-7 as the Vikes widened the lead.

The Vikings’ big men on the offensive line continued their domination on the following drive, as LaBelle claimed some real estate on a keeper, and Kayion Marine carried for gains.

LaShaun Moody returned a punt to the Knight’s 20 – very nearly for a touchdown, just not quite able to stay in bounds after a glancing hit – setting up Sterling Perkins’ touchdown on second and goal from the 6. A 2-point conversion made it 28-7.

There was still time for a surprise or two. A high snap on a Knights’ punt attempt sent the ball bouncing through the end zone for a safety and two more points for the Vikings. Then with about 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, C-SD had a high snap too, this one recovered by Century for a touchdown.

The 2-point try was no good, and it was 30-13 as the scoreboard clock wound down and the time approached 10:30 p.m. Kayion Marine was the next Viking to visit the end zone, with a 40-yard run of his own, to make it 36-13.

It was late, but Ferguson still had a trick up his sleeve, with an interception return for a score. As he crossed the goal line, the lightning alarm went off for the final time, and the game ended with a couple minutes on the clock and a final score of 42-13.

The game left C-SD with a record of 1-1, after falling to North Caroline on Sept. 1. This week, the Vikings will play at Parkside.