FOOTBALL: Stoney Creek thwarts Royal Oak, gains first win in Zube era

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester Stoney Creek and Royal both finished 1-8 on the gridiron last fall. Both entered the 2012 season with new coaching staffs.

That is about the only thing the two programs have in common.

Stoney Creek showed that it was much further along than the Ravens in Friday’s OAA crossover contest, as the host Cougars scored early on often in a 55-7 trouncing of the Ravens.

“The guys have all bought in since we took over (in February),” admitted new Stoney Creek coach Brad Zube. “We still have a long ways to go, a lot things to work on and improve upon. A But it was nice confidence for these guys, especially for the guys who were on varsity last season and went through the hard times.”

Stoney Creek had only won a combined three games the past two years. The Cougars defeated Port Huron Northern in their opener last season before spiraling on an eight-game losing streak — a skid they ended Friday.

Junior Sean Scullen totaled 181 yards and scored five touchdowns, tying a school record for touchdowns in a game. Junior Justin Allor added 216 passing yards in his varsity debut and threw three touchdown passes.

“We had a lot of penalties, 12 I think, so we have a ton of things to clean up,” added Zube. “But we did win a football game and it’s been a while for some of these guys. The younger players had some success on the junior varsity and freshmen levels (the past couple of years), but coming off a 1-8 season at the varsity level, this will be a nice boost for us.”

OUTBURST: Rochester Stoney Creek junior Sean Scullen scored five touchdowns Friday as the cougars routed Royal Oak, 55-7, to snap an eight-game losing streak. Courtesy Photo | Stoney Creek Football.

Stoney Creek built a 34-7 lead by the break before scoring three more times in the second half.

Junior Joe Cox added 80 yards on the ground and also returned an interception for another touchdown (9-yards) to aid a balance effort. Scullen counted an 80-yard TD sprint and a 65-yard TD catch among his totals to go along with scoring runs of 5, 5 and 9 yards.

Alex Schnurr (45-yard touchdown catch) also scored for the Cougars.

It the debut game for Royal Oak coach Ryan Irish,who saw his program continue to struggle. The Ravens have just one win in their last 38 games overall dating back to late in the 2007 season.

“Ryan will do a nice job with that program. It will just take some time,” offered Zube, who noted that Royal Oak has had four coaches in six seasons. “I know we have our work cut out for us, too. I’m glad to see us making progress, but I know we have a long ways to go.”

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