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JOHNSONBURG 36, ECC 0 |
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Oct. 20, 2006 |
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By Jonathan Schwab – Ridgway Record Special to D9Sports.com JOHNSONBURG – Thanks to Calvin Grumley and John Yonker, the Johnsonburg Rams got back to being downright offensive in the best possible way. The Rams feasted on Elk County Catholic for over 300 yards while stifling the ECC offense in a 36-0 whitewashing Friday night at Johnsonburg’s Memorial Field. The win assures Johnsonburg, which had scored 10 points in its previous three games, of a second consecutive playoff appearance and moves them closer to a home playoff game. A win over Cameron County next week will give the Rams that home game. "We want a home playoff game," Johnsonburg head coach Tom Launer said. "Cameron County is a good team. They’re playing well and it should be a good match-up." The Rams were able to get into position to get a home playoff game thanks to an offense which came alive after tallying a total of 10 points in its previous three games. "We were able to put points on the board," Launer said. "We put some new plays in, and they worked. We also got a couple turnovers and gave the offense a shortened field. I was happy to see we were able to score on the ground from our base formation." Grumley was a big reason for the resurgence rushing for 153 yards and throwing for 131. "Calvin did a real good job of hitting the open receiver," Launer said. "When he did throw the ball long, it was the right choice." Yonker, lining up at running back for the first time this season, added six carries for 20 yards while catching two passes for 48. Launer was also impressed by the play of tight end Chris Perez, who had three catches for 27 yards. "Chris Perez had an excellent game at the tight end position," Launer said. "The tight end hasn’t been involved much for us this season, and we wanted to get him involved." Another key for the Rams was improvement in the trenches which enabled 197 rushing yards as a team. "The line play was awesome," senior lineman Chuck Charney said. "We were going hard all week in practice." While the offense was the difference in the game, it was the Rams defense that gave the offense a spark early in the game when it suppressed an ECC scoring opportunity. The Crusaders reached the Johnsonburg 22 on a 54-yard connection between Andy Herbstritt and receiver Blake Housler. The Rams pushed ECC back on the ensuing three plays, forcing a punt. Then Grumley made ECC coach Keith Lecker’s worst fears become reality on Johnsonburg’s second offensive series. The senior dropped to pass and, with nobody open, tucked down the football, wove through tacklers and coasted down the right sideline for a 64-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Johnsonburg lead. Late in the second quarter, the Rams squandered a chance to build upon the edge when Jesse Dennis fumbled inside the 5-yard line. Johnsonburg’s defense, though, capitalized with points on the next play ambushing ECC running back Eric Mastrogiacomo in the end zone for a safety to make the score 9-0. The Rams came up with a big play on fourth-and-9 on their next possession when Grumley again eluded the pass rush, tore down the right sideline and, with the assistance of a Yonker block which knocked out two defenders, found pay dirt for a 16-0 halftime lead. Two quick third quarter scores put the game out of reach. Yonker waltzed into the end zone from a yard out to make the score 23-0. After a Dennis interception of Herbstritt, Yonker repeated the feat this time from four yards away to make the total 29-0 after the botched extra point. Grumley and Yonker hooked up from 40 yards for the game’s final score, as the Rams defense suffocated the Crusaders after the first quarter pass play to Housler. "The defense played great again," Launer said. "After the big play, we really shut them down. They wanted to play like they are the best defense in the Tri-County." Johnsonburg’s game with Cameron County is in Emporium at 7 p.m. Friday. ECC returns to action at 7 p.m. Friday at Smethport needing a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. JOHNSONBURG 36, ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 0 Score by Quarter Elk CC 0 0 0 0 – 0 J-burg 7 9 13 7 – 36 Scoring Summary First quarter J - Calvin Grumley 64-yard run (Grumley kick), 3:53 Second quarter J - Safety, Eric Mastrogiacomo tackled in end zone, J - Grumley 37-yard run (Grumley kick), 1:51 Third quarter J - John Yonker 1-yard run (Grumley kick), 4:39 J - Yonker 4-yard run (run failed), 1:28 Fourth quarter J - Yonker 40-yard pass from Grumley (Grumley kick), 9:06 TEAM STATS
First Downs 4 8 Rushes-Yards 24-47 38-197 Passing Yards 75 131 Passing: Comp-Att-Int 4-28-75-2 10-22-131-1 Total Yardage 122 328 Penalties-Yards 7-38 1-16 Fumbles Lost 1 3 Individual Stats Rushing – Johnsonburg: Calvin Grumley 16-153, John Yonker 6-20, Mark Myers 2-13, Jesse Dennis 6-7, Zane Zelehoski 4-7, Judd Zilcosky 1-0, Zach Padasak 3-(-3). ECC: Andy Herbstritt 8-32, Brad Meholic 1-9, Eric Mastrogiacomo 12-5, Derek McCullough 3-1. Passing - Johnsonburg: Calvin Grumley 10-22-131-1. ECC: Andy Herbstritt 4-23-75-2, Matt Meholic 0-5-0-0. Receiving - Johnsonburg: John Yonker 2-48, Zane Zelehoski 3-38, Chris Perez 3-27, Jesse Dennis 1-13, Judd Zilcosky 1-5. ECC: Blake Housler 1-54, Brad Meholic 1-10, Derek McCullough 1-9, Jimmy Higgins 1-2.
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