Nazareth 51
RB 7
The LaSteven McKinney Show is apparently in syndication for the Riverside-Brookfield football team. After shredding the Bulldogs’ defense last season, the fleet-footed Nazareth running back provided a rerun of spectacular scoring plays during the Roadrunners’ 51-7 win over RB on Friday night.
“He’s a phenomenal running back,” said RB linebacker Louie Dietz, who had an interception. “He’s going to be difficult [for any team], but we just didn’t do a good job tackling.”
In the first half, McKinney (13 carries, 199 yards) was virtually a one-man wrecking crew, breaking down the Bulldogs with touchdown runs of four, 22, 76, 17 and eight yards to give Nazareth a 35-0 halftime lead.
“I have to credit our offensive line,” said McKinney, who has offers to play for Louisville, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, Toledo, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. “We saw on film that we would be able to run to the edge very well and that’s what we did.”
While the Roadrunners (2-0) scored on five of their first six possessions, RB struggled offensively the entire game. Quarterback Billy VandeMerkt completed 27-of-52 passes for 180 yards at an uncharacteristically low 52 percent clip to go with three interceptions. The Bulldogs’ receiving corps didn’t help VandeMerkt’s efficiency, dropping several passes.
Wide receivers Mark McDonagh (15 catches, 113 yards, TD) and Tyler Radek (9 catches, 42 yards) led the RB passing attack.
Two games in, McDonagh is enjoying a stellar senior campaign with 34 receptions for 352 yards
Flirting with being shutout, the Bulldogs finally found the end zone when VandeMerkt threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to McDonagh with 4:51 left in the game to make it 44-7.
Terrance Jones (two interceptions) picked off a VandeMerkt pass and returned it 38 yards for a score to put Nazareth up 41-0 and start a running clock with 10:50 remaining in the third quarter. Patrick Dunn added a 22-yard field goal and Nazareth scored a touchdown in the final minute.
Off to a 0-2 start, the Bulldogs will look to pick-up a non-conference win against Robeson this Friday night (7 p.m.) at Shuey Stadium.
