Determined Stags stave off Eagles

MONCKS CORNER -- Berkeley's Evan MacKelvey picked off a long pass by Greenwood late in the fourth quarter to secure a 13-9 victory for the Stags in the second round of the Division II-AAAA playoffs Friday night.

"I had it all the way," Mac-Kelvey said with a big grin afterward of the pass thrown by quarterback D.J. Dunlap. "I've been after one of those all night. Our defense played great and kept us in the game."

MacKelvey's pick was one of two interceptions by the Stags (13-1). The other, by Rakheem White, squelched an Eagles drive late in the first half.

MacKelvey's pick came on the heels of a 41-yard Bruce Ellington touchdown run to give the Stags their first lead of the night. The high-octane Berkeley offense that came into the game averaging more than 40 points a game could do little against a stingy Greenwood defense.

So the game fell on the shoulders of the Stags' defense.

"The defense played well," said Stags head coach Jerry Brown. "That was a crazy game."

After allowing a first-drive touchdown that put the Eagles (9-4) up 7-0, the Stags defense stepped it up, knuckling down on three red-zone drives, coming up with two fourth-and-goal stuffs and making the two key interceptions to shut the Eagles out the rest of the way.

"Our defense hasn't gotten a lot of recognition all year," Stags defensive coordinator Ed Moore said. "When their offensive line outweighs you by more than 50 pounds and you step up big like these guys did, it's a testament to the heart these guys have."

Shutout in the first half for the first time in 2009, the Stags' big-play offense connected at the 8:16 mark of the third quarter on a 77-yard Bruce Ellington-to-a-wide-open Chris White touchdown pass to tie the score at 7.

After the Stags defense snuffed an Eagles chance to score from the 1-yard line, Greenwood replied by recording a safety to go up 9-7.

Berkeley had an opportunity to take the lead at the 5:32 mark of the fourth quarter, but a Nick Hill field goal attempt sailed wide left.

The lone Greenwood touchdown came on the Eagles' opening drive. After a Berkeley three-and-out, Dunlap directed a 56-yard drive with a fourth-and-goal keeper over the right side. The keys to the drive were big runs by Ran Ethridge and D.J. Goodman.

The Stags will be at home for the next round.

G--D.J. Dunlap 1 run (Tucker Nelson kick)

B--Chris White 77 pass from Bruce Ellington (Nick Hill kick)

G--Safety, R.J. Robinson tackled in the end zone for a safety.

B--Ellington 41 run (kick failed)