Wildcats get best of Irish

As a long-time Laney assistant coach, Lemuel Lackey came to know Dublin as a frustrating nemesis. As Laney's second-year head coach, Lackey redefined the new regional relationship.

Laney quarterback Kwame Cunningham accounted for 159 total yards and two touchdowns, and Eugene Moore rushed for 119 yards and another score as the Wildcats knocked off fourth-ranked Dublin 21-11 on Friday night at Laney Stadium.

"That was big," Lackey said. "That's as big as it comes right there. You're talking about a program we haven't beaten since I've been here and kind of had our number."

Laney (2-1) had never beaten Dublin in five previous tries including twice in the Class AA playoffs in 2002 and '06. When the No. 4 Irish held an 11-7 halftime lead, it seemed as if another chance might slip away in their first matchup as Region 3-AA since the late 90s.

But Laney forced three second- half turnovers -- one leading to the go-ahead score in the third quarter and two more in the fourth sealing the victory. It was a critical win for Laney after a tough opening loss to No. 10 Jefferson County in a wall-to-wall region schedule.

"It's a very good win. However, we have a long way to go, and it doesn't get any easier," Lackey said.

After a slow start, Laney controlled the game behind Cunningham and Moore. The two accounted for 58 of Laney's 65 offensive plays, including a rugged 27 rushes by Moore.

Cunningham's favorite pass play was a bootleg where he would hit a receiver open in the hole up the middle between the linebackers and the deep secondary.

Cameron Stallings had four receptions for 81 yards.

The Wildcats had to dig themselves out of an early hole that was largely self-inflicted.

Laney spoon-fed Dublin's first points with a series of mistakes after driving as deep as the Irish 35. The Wildcats went in reverse with a long sack and penalty that nullified a 41-yard punt. Then on fourth-and-39, the long snapper dropped the ball and turned it over to Dublin at the Laney 34.

An ensuing illegal substitution immediately set Dublin up at the Laney 19. Three plays later, Rashard Smith hit Price Chase for a 9-yard touchdown and then ran the conversion in for an 8-0 lead.

Laney effectively used all of its timeouts to get the ball back once more before halftime and capitalized with a 39-yard scoring drive on three consecutive runs capped by Moore's cut-back touchdown from 7-yards.

The drive, however, consumed only 17 seconds and gave Dublin and its elusive quarterback another possession. Smith's 26-yard scramble helped set up a 29-yard field goal by Briceton Cannada and an 11-7 Irish lead at the half.

But Laney converted a Smith fumble into a 29-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter to go ahead 14-11.

The clinching fourth-quarter drive ate up 14 plays, 78 yards and 5:51.

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.