Special teams, defense carry Mustangs to 35-7 win at McGuffey
CLAYSVILLE — Turnovers and solid special teams play lifted Laurel Highlands to a 35-7 season opening win at McGuffey Friday.
With the victory the Mustangs equaled their win total for 2010.
Laurel Highlands forced three interceptions and blocked a punt in a stellar defensive effort.
“Special teams and defense played great for us tonight,” said Laurel Highlands coach Zack Just. “We stressed special teams in practice this week and it paid off tonight because we played loose.”
Danzel Beasley rushed for only 18 yards, but scored twice.
With a 21-0 lead at the half, Just was able to cycle through players at will.
“We really stress team effort,” added Just. “We’re only as strong as our weakest link.”
One of those links include sophomore Raphael Cannon, who scored the longest play of the night with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Drew Yauger in the third quarter that dashed any hopes of a comeback.
“Raph provides a spark for us,” said Just. “He was able to do some things in there with a limited role. With players like that, coaches need to find ways to get him the ball.”
Despite the lopsided score, it was a defensive struggle early on. After the opening possession stalled for Laurel Highlands (1-0, 0-0), a blocked punt gave the Mustangs a short field and capitalized with the game’s first points on Beasley’s six yard score.
“That blocked punt changed the game, it was the turning point,” said McGuffey head coach Derek Bochna. “We made a lot of mental mistakes out there.”
The first of two Dalton Thompson interceptions set up the Mustangs at midfield. Jake Riddell found Keith Liptock on a post pattern from 15 yards out for a 14-0 lead.
McGuffey (0-1, 0-0) went three and out deep in their own territory on the next possession. On the punt return, Joe Pegg put the Mustangs back in the red zone with a 29-yard return. Beasley scored from seven yards out to make the score 21-0.
“We didn’t play well tonight,” said Bochna. “They came out fired up and I our guys were too, but they played better. That’s a different team from last year.”
That different team did little wrong, except in the penalty department, racking up seven penalties for 50 yards.
“Penalties hurt us for sure, we had a couple defensive breakdowns and missed tackles, but we were resilient,” added Just. “As a coach, you’re happy for the resilience, but not happy about the penalties.”
As for the outlook, the Mustangs travel to Peters Township in another non-conference game, hoping for a repeat performance.
“We got off to a good start, everyone was a little nervous,” said Just. “But coming off a one-win season helps because there is less pressure on the kids to win immediately. We’ll enjoy this win for now, but get back to work on Monday.”
Non-conference
Laurel Highlands 35, McGuffey 7
At McGuffey
First Quarter
LH: Beasley 6 run (Riddell kick), 0:00. (7-0)
Second Quarter
LH: Liptock 15 pass from Riddell (Riddell kick), 5:21. (14-0)
LH: Beasley 7 run (Riddell kick), 2:29. (21-0)
Third Quarter
LH: Yauger 55 pass from Cannon (Riddell kick), 9:19. (28-0)
LH: Dotson 2 run (Riddell kick), 7:29. (35-0)
Fourth Quarter
McG: Duschi 43 run (Gregus kick), 0:42. (35-7)