McKinley Powers Past Sandusky

Canton, OH: The McKinley Bulldogs (2-1) used lockdown defense and a quick strike offense to overpower the Sandusky Blue Streaks (0-3) 53-7 in the opening game of the National High School Football Council Classic. After missing last week’s matchup against St. Edward with a hamstring injury, junior Kyelin West made the most out of his limited touches, carrying the ball three times for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Shad Davis came up big on special teams for the Bulldogs, taking two punt returns back for touchdowns.

First Half

Sandusky received the opening kickoff but did not have the ball for long, as they were forced to punt after three plays. A nice return by Shad Davis set the Bulldogs up at the Blue Streaks’ 22. Kyelin West took the first down handoff to the 12, and then took the next one in for a 12-yard touchdown, putting McKinley up 7-0 just minutes into the contest.

The Blue Streaks were forced to punt again on their ensuing drive, giving McKinley great field position at the 29-yard line. West was handed the ball for a third straight time, rumbling in for a 29-yard Bulldogs touchdown. Following the extra point attempt, McKinley led 14-0.

Facing 3rd & 13, the Blue Streaks completed a pass that would have picked up the first down. Disaster struck for the Blue Streaks and the ball popped free, recovered by Desmond Parnell and returned to the two-yard line. It only took McKinley one play as DeMarlo Rozier Jr. took it in from two yards out, putting the Bulldogs up 21-0 midway through the first.

Sandusky went three-and-out again, but this time Shad Davis returned the punt 29 yards for yet another Bulldogs touchdown. The extra point missed the uprights and McKinley led 27-0.

Less than a minute into the second, Braylon Crook found Darius Hill who rumbled down the home sideline for a 77-yard touchdown. The extra point missed again, putting the Bulldogs in front 33-0. Midway through the quarter, Braylon Crook connected with Darius Hill who rumbled down the home sideline for a 77-yard touchdown. This time the extra point went through the uprights, making it 40-0 McKinley with five minutes remaining.

Shad Davis would strike again late in the quarter, returning a punt 43 yards for his second touchdown of the contest. When the halftime whistle sounded, the Bulldogs were in front 47-0.

Second Half

With a running clock in effect due to the lopsided score, the second half moved much quicker than the first. After forcing a three-and-out to open the half, the Blue Streaks were able to pick up their first first down of the game. Unfortunately for Sandusky, the threat stopped there and they were forced to punt.

On their second drive of the half, Chae’Vionn Card-O’Neal connected with Karter Green who took it 45 yards for a score. This time they hit the extra point, putting McKinley up 53-0.

With their final possession of the contest, the Blue Streaks were able to find a bit of success, including a fourth down conversion. As the clock approached one minute left, Raymond Peake took the quarterback keeper two yards for a Sandusky touchdown. With the final minute running off the clock during the extra point attempt, the Bulldogs sealed a 53-7 victory.

Keys to the Game

After falling to St. Edward last Friday night, the Bulldogs came in with a chip on their shoulder. The defense was electric all night, holding Sandusky to just 29 yards of total offense. The McKinley offense ran nine plays in the first half, scoring on five of them.

Despite facing injuries, the Blue Streaks never gave up, finally getting into the end zone as time expired. A lot of teams would have their heads down, but the Sandusky sideline stayed engaged until the very end.

Next Week

Sandusky will look to break into the win column next Friday night when they host Padua (1-2). The Bruins got their first win of the season with a 35-6 victory over Bedford.

McKinley opens up Federal League play next Friday when they travel to Glenoak (0-2). The Eagles will square off with the Cleveland Heights Tigers Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Top Performers

Kyelin West: 3 carries 61 yards TD

Braylon Crook: 2-2 84 yards TD

Darius Hill: 2 catches 84 yards TD

Shad Davis: 2 punt returns 72 yards 2 TD

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

McKinley 9:08- Kyelin West, 12-yard run (kick good)

McKinley 6:40- Kyelin West, 29-yard run (kick good)

McKinley 5:08- DeMarlo Rozier Jr., 2-yard run (kick good)

McKinley 2:37- Shad Davis, 29-yard punt return (kick no good)

2nd Quarter

McKinley 11:07- Braylon Crook to Darius Hill, 77 yards (kick no good)

McKinley 5:00- Derrick Gordon III, 28-yard run (kick good)

McKinley 1:05- Shad Davis, 43-yard punt return (kick good)

4th Quarter

McKinley 11:40- Chae’Vionn Card-O’Neal to Karter Green, 45 yards (kick blocked)

Sandusky 1:00- Raymond Peake, 2-yard run (kick good)