REDBANK VALLEY 13, KEYSTONE 0

Sept. 1, 2006

For one game, Jake Smith and Alex Bladel emphatically put any concerns to rest, combining to rush for 242 yards as the Bulldogs blanked Keystone, 13-0, Friday in the season/KSAC opener for both teams. Bladel had 165 of those on 20 carries, while Smith added 77 on 17 carries. They each scored a touchdowns.

The duo, each first year starters, helped Redbank Valley (1-0, 1-0) keep chains moving early on, taking 12 minutes off the clock its first two drives alone.

The Bulldogs drove inside the Panthers’ 35-line twice in the first half but came away with nothing. Their second trip deep into Keystone (0-1, 0-1) territory resulted in a fumble with just seconds before the half, a half which ended scoreless.

Smith, a junior, capped the drought soon enough, scoring on a four-yard run with 51 seconds left in the third for a 6-0 advantage. Justin Dunevin was short on the extra point attempt

The touchdown was set up by Bladel, who rushed for 41 yards on the six-play drive, including a 31-yard scamper that got the hosts into field goal range.

The sophomore, one of several backs trying to replace Skyler Smith, added another long-gainer – a 41-yard jaunt up the middle – about midway through the fourth.

With 6:14 remaining, he scored from a yard out to extend Redbank’s lead to 13-0.

The Panthers best opportunity to dent the scoreboard was on subsequent drive. Ben Black, who didn’t play to begin the second half, drove his team inside the Redbank 20-yard line, but missed Mike Switzer on a fourth-down fade pattern and turned the ball over on downs.

Black, the brother of Panthers’ all-time passing leader Adam Black (1998-2001), finished 8-for-12 for 74 yards. It was the first varsity start for the sophomore.

He got an assist in the backfield as Derek Swartfager had 98 yards on a game-high 27 carries.

Tyler Jack added four catches for 35 yards for Keystone.

Jerrett Magagnotti caught three passes for 23 yards to pace the Bulldog receivers.

NOTES: Keystone freshman quarterback Dan Reed started the second half…The Panthers have lost three of their past four openers, including last year against the Bulldogs (26-8)…Adam Black threw for 5,265 yards and 55 touchdowns during his high school career.

Keystone 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Redbank 0 0 6 7 -- 13

R – Jake Smith 3-yard run (Justin Dunevin kick missed), 0:51

R – Alex Bladel 1-yard run (Justin Dunevin kick), 6:14

First Downs: 11; 15

Rushes-Yards: 35-93; 42-230

Passing Yards: 97; 38

Comp-Att-Int: 9-17-0; 7-11-0

Total Yards: 190; 268

Penalties-Yards: 5-47; 5-30

Punts-Avg: 4-31.5; 2-32.5

Fumbles-Lost: 0-0; 2-1

Passing – Keystone: Ben Black 8-12, 74 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; Dan Reed 1-5, 21 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT. Redbank: Jake Smith 7-11, 38 yards 0 TD, 0 INT.

Rushing – Keystone: Derek Swartfager 27-98; Black 4-7; Alex Rowan 2-0; Reed 1(-10), Team 1-(-2). Redbank: Alex Bladel 20-165; Smith 17-77; Mike Booher 2 -4; Jerrett Magagnotti 1-(-3), Nash Rupp 1-(-11), Team 1-(-2).

Receiving – Keystone: Tyler Jack 4-35; Swartfager 1-15; Mike Switzer 1-21; Rowan 2-18; Lexan Montana 1-8. Redbank: Jerrett Magagnotti 3-23; Bladel 2-11; Booher 1-6; Rupp 1-(-2).