FOOTBALL: Fast start jettisons Stoney Creek past Troy Athens
Ryan Eckhout pass to Zach Denha…TOUCHDOWN COUGARS!!!
Posted by Stoney Creek Football on Friday, September 13, 2019
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
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ROCHESTER HILLS — For everything that went right for Rochester Stoney Creek Friday night, everything went wrong for Troy Athens.
The result was Stoney Creek’s resounding 42-7 OAA White Division victory over the visiting Red Hawks.
The Cougars forced Athens to punt on four of its first six possessions, recovered two first-half fumbles, including one in the end zone in the game’s opening minute, and chalked up a convincing 351-177 edge on total-yards-offense in the route over the previously unbeaten Red Hawks.
The impressive performance was coupled with the Cougars’ “Commitment to a Cause”, where $2,100 was raised during the game for Dutton Farm, a non-profit that supports adults with disabilities.
All of this came on Friday the 13th — and Stoney Creek’s overall performance was downright scary.
“I am just really proud of our kids for coming out physical and aggressive from the get-go,” smiled Stoney Creek coach Nick Merlo said. “We talked about starting fast and our young men prepared all week to start fast. It’s 100 percent on them. We came ready to play.
“Playing a game like this for someone else, doing something bigger than yourself for Dutton Farm really motivated us and inspired us,” continued Merlo. “It was truly a special night.”
Junior Cam Buford rolled up 128 yards on 12 carries with two touchdown runs, while Zack Denha added five carries for 41 yards and two catches for 95 yards, both which resulted in scores, as Stoney Creek led 21-0 after one quarter of play.
Junior John Rayba and Jac Getzinger both recovered first-quarter fumbles, with Rayba’s coming only six seconds into the game and in the end zone for a swift 6-0 lead.
Buford’s 54-yard spring for another score with 3:03 left in the first quarter and Denha raced 26-yards untouched up the middle, coupled with Nick Potenza’s two-point conversion pass to Buford, gave Stoney Creek (2-1, 1-1) its comfortable 21-0 advantage with 31 tickets left in the opening frame.
Athens (2-1, 1-1) finally put together a threat and scored on its sixth drive of the contest — a 32-yard run from senior Carson Eads that trimmed the Cougars’ lead down to 21-7 with 7:45 left in the first half. The Red Hawks offense sputtered after that point.
“We weren’t very zoomed in before the game and that’s what happens when 16-and-17-year-old kids aren’t zoomed in before a football game,” sighed Troy Athens coach Billy Keenist Jr. “We just couldn’t have had a worse first quarter and it’s disappointing. It’s disappointing because we’ve been doing good things lately.”
It was all Stoney Creek for most of four quarters.
The Cougars scored on their next possession, another swift 6-play drive capped by junior Ryan Eckhout’s dart over the middle to Denha, who raced 65 yards for pay dirt with 4:50 to go in the third period.
Stoney Creek converted again on its final drive of the half, this time with Denha collecting a 30-yard pass from Eckhout to put the Cougars into cruise control at 35-7.
Buford capped the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Junior Lance Fogelberg hit 5-of-6 extra points for the Cougars.
Stoney Creek out-rushed Athens 239-143, often taking advantage of great field position throughout the game. Eckhout was effective while passing, finishing 3-for-5 for 112 yards, all in the first half for the Cougars, who will face winless Troy next week.
“We make weekly goals and our focus is just one week at a time,” said Merlo. “Our goal next week is to play better football than we did this week. We want to focus on the fundamentals and come out and give our best each week.”
Junior Waides Ashmon rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries for Athens, which will host Southfield A&T next week.
Category: Featured Articles, Football, High School, High School (M-Z), NOS reference, Prep Wraps, Rochester Stoney Creek, Sport, Top Stories, Troy Athens, Uncategorized
