McGuffey rushes past Keystone Oaks
CLAYSVILLE – For the McGuffey Highlanders, their preferred method to move the football may seem quaint, but it is effective.
Their offense is almost as predictable as rain this summer throughout Western Pennsylvania; only here it is embraced as the Highlanders (2-1, 4-2) rolled big on the ground to a 56-6 win over Century Conference foe Keystone Oaks (1-2, 1-5) Friday night at McGuffey.
Those who know and follow the Highlanders will tell you they like to establish the run. Friday was no exception as McGuffey rolled to 360 yards on the ground. Danny Furmanek led the way with 111 yards rushing while Caleb Simons and Gage Clayton added 101 and 75 yards respectively.
“We came into this game like we were the underdog,” Highlander coach Nate Perry said. “We’ve been taking it seriously and we executed well tonight in all three phases.”
The Highlanders gave the Homecoming crowd something to cheer about early on their initial drive of the game as Simons sliced his way through the Eagles defense to a 16 yard score. Jack Gallick knocked home the extra point, giving McGuffey a 7-0 a mere three minutes into the contest.
Keystone Oaks looked as if they were poised to tie the game on their ensuing possession as they moved to the Highlander 11 where they faced fourth and goal. Simons again announced his presence when he swatted away the fourth down throw to end the threat.
McGuffey extended their lead to two scores courtesy of a Clayton 40 yard burst up the middle for a score eight seconds into the second quarter. Clayton set up his score by blocking a Keystone Oaks punt. Gallick’s kick was again true as McGuffey pulled out to a 14-0 lead and the rout was on.
The Eagles again moved into Highlander real estate and looked as if they would cut their deficit in half. But Furmanek intercepted Kellen McPeake and returned it 90 yards for an apparent score, which was nullified by an illegal block.
It did not matter to McGuffey as Simons took an option pitch and raced 61 yards to paydirt on the very next play from scrimmage to give the hosts a 21-0 lead at the 7:58 mark of the second quarter.
“Our offensive line was key tonight,” Perry noted. “We’ve also have about five or six guys that can rip off a long run at any time.”
Keystone Oaks did dent the scoreboard with 3:44 to go in the first half as Moses Henze turned the corner and into the end zone from two yards out. The Eagles two point conversion failed, leaving the visitors’ deficit at 21-6.
The Eagles momentum was short-lived as Furmanek took the ensuing kickoff 66 yards to the end zone for a backbreaking touchdown return. Clayton fielded a low snap on the conversion and ping-ponged himself into the end zone for a two-point conversion and 29-6 lead with 3:31 left in the half.
Dristan McAnallen then put the cherry on top of the first half sundae when he hauled in a 54 yard touchdown reception from Dante Gadani at the 1:43 mark of the second quarter to give the Highlanders a 36-6 lead at halftime.
McGuffey enacted the mercy rule a mere 1:37 into the third quarter when Furmanek raced 76 yards unimpeded for a score. The point after kick was good making it 43-6 in favor of the Highlanders.
McAnallen then made a sterling play on defense when he stepped in front of Daysean Brown and intercepted a Brody Kickler pass to end a Keystone Oaks threat midway through the third.
Paul Speer then got into the act for the Highlanders when he plunged in from two yards out. Lucas Kingsland then came on to boot home the extra point to push the score out to 50-6 at the 10:53 mark of the final frame.
Ayden Reid then got into the act when he recovered a Henze fumble for McGuffey, giving the ball back to the Highlander offensive machine on the Keystone Oaks 23 with 9 minutes left.
Two plays later, reserve running back Caleb McCracken then found himself in the end zone after he strolled in from 15 yards out. Kingsland’s kick bounced off the left upright, leaving the count at 56-6 in favor of McGuffey.