CHESAPEAKE — Ky’Nique Baines scored two first-half touchdowns, and sixth-ranked Western Branch held on for a 21-12 win over Menchville in both teams’ season opener.
Baines made an immediate impact on the game, scampering 44 yards for a touchdown on his first carry to put the Bruins on the board.
Western Branch also scored on its next possession as Derrick Cook tossed a 17-yard scoring pass to Devin Cook. The two connected again on the 2-point conversion, bumping the lead to 14-0.
After a Trey Muller interception, Western Branch failed to capitalize. But on the Bruins’ next series, Baines burst through the line and outraced the Monarchs’ defense for a 92-yard score.
Menchville suffered from some opening-game jitters, accounting for just 10 yards on its first three drives. A second-quarter interception by the Monarchs provided some momentum, but the offense didn’t gain traction until after Baines’ second touchdown.
Starting on its 37, Menchville drove 63 yards on nine plays, with quarterback Amir Harrison, on his fourth run of the series, rumbling through the middle for a 3-yard score, closing the margin to 21-6. The score stayed there until after halftime.
Harrison, a former wide receiver, was pushed into the quarterback position after the former starter transferred. While he had problems connecting on passes (9 of 27 for 135 yards and two interceptions), Harrison was elusive in the backfield and stretched plays with his legs, eventually gaining 104 yards on the ground. In the third quarter, he connected with La’Darius Adams on a 17-yard touchdown to trim the lead to 21-12.
The Menchville defense allowed only 48 yards in the second half and neutralized Baines, who still finished with 198 yards on 11 carries.
But Menchville could not take advantage of its opportunities — failing to score after twice driving inside the Western Branch 20-yard line during the fourth quarter. Two penalties and three incomplete passes foiled the first trip, and four incompletions halted the second.
