by Canton, OH: The Brunswick Blue Devils (6-5) hung tough in the first half, but McKinley (8-3) pulled away in the second for a 62-28 running clock win. Quarterback Connor Jamison was the heart of the Blue Devils’ offense, going 29-64 for 365 yards and three touchdowns. McKinley did most of their damage on the ground, getting a huge performance from DeMarlo Rozier Jr. who ran for 190 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.
First Half
Brunswick elected to receive the opening kickoff but would not have the ball for long, punting it back to the Bulldogs. Braylon Crook connected with DeMarco Richardson Jr. for a 30-yard pickup that moved the ball into Brunswick territory. Two plays later, Crook connected with Darius Hill for a 29-yard touchdown that put McKinley up 7-0.
Both sides traded punts before Brunswick began their third drive in McKinley territory late in the first. It did not take long as Connor Jamison hooked up with Tyler Burk for a 28-yard touchdown, tying it at 7-7. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, setting up McKinley with great field position at the 50-yard line. On the seventh play of the drive Crook and Hill connected again, this time for a 17-yard, one-handed score to put the Bulldogs back in front 14-7.
On the first play of the next drive, Brunswick got a huge 40-yard run by Anthony Gamboa to get the ball rolling. The Blue Devils tied the game just five plays later on a 27-yard completion from Gamboa to Adin Evert, making it 14-14 early in the second.
On McKinley’s next play Braylon Crook to the quarterback draw 69 yards to the house, putting the Bulldogs back in front 21-14. Brunswick would not have the ball for long, as a fumble on their second play gave the ball back to McKinley. The Bulldogs kept the ball on the ground, running the ball five straight plays and finding paydirt on a two-yard run by Shad Davis. The extra point sailed through the uprights, giving McKinley a 28-14 lead midway through the second.
Brunswick appeared to find some momentum on their next possession, picking up a pair of first downs on their first two plays. Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, Jamison was picked off by Darius Hill to end the threat. Brunswick’s defense came up big on the ensuing possession, forcing the Bulldogs into a three-and-out.
Just two plays after their defense forced a three-and-out of their own, DeMarlo Rozier Jr. scored from 15 yards out, putting McKinley in front 35-14. With under two minutes remaining in the half, Brunswick drove 70 yards in nine plays, getting into the end zone on a seven-yard pass from Jamison to Gavin Ballok. Following a successful extra point, McKinley was in front 35-21 at the half.
Second Half
The Bulldogs were set to receive the second half kickoff but muffed the return, giving Brunswick excellent field position at the McKinley 22. Facing a 4th & 4 from the five, Jamison was intercepted by Dwoyne Robinson at the goal line. The Brunswick defense came up strong again, forcing and recovering a McKinley fumble at the Bulldogs’ 40. Immediately following a big fourth down conversion, Jamison connected with Ballok again, this time for a 17-yard touchdown that made the score 35-28 McKinley.
Starting the next drive on their own 39, the Bulldogs ground game continued to find success. On the fifth straight run play of the possession, Rozier Jr. broke free for a 47-yard touchdown, extending the McKinley lead to 42-28 late in the third.
After the defense forced a three-and-out by the Blue Devils, McKinley began their next drive where they started their last, their own 39-yard line. On the third play, Rozier Jr. busted free again, this time a 48-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt came up short, giving the Bulldogs a 48-28 lead.
A couple series later, Brunswick turned the ball over on the first play of the drive. On the next play, Derrick Gordon III broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown. After a successful point after attempt, McKinley held a 55-28 lead with just over eight minutes remaining.
Brunswick refused to go down without a fight, working their ensuing possession into McKinley territory. Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, an incomplete fourth down pass turned the ball back to the Bulldogs. It was another quick drive for McKinley, as Gordon III exploded for a 65-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt put the Bulldogs up 62-28 and started the running clock.
The Blue Devils worked their next possession inside the McKinley 10, but ran out of time. When the final whistle blew, McKinley walked away with a 62-28 victory.
Next Week
With the win, McKinley advances to the Division I Region 1 quarterfinals. The Bulldogs will travel to Austintown to take on the Falcons (8-1). The Falcons are riding an 8-game winning streak following a Week 1 loss to Hudson.
Top Performers
Brunswick Blue Devils
Connor Jamison: 26-64 365 yards 3 TD 2 INT
Anthony Gamboa: 11 catches 128 yards 1/1 27 yards TD
Gavin Ballok: 5 catches 53 yards 2 TD
Canton McKinley Bulldogs
Braylon Crook: 4-10 107 yards 2 TD 7 carries 110 yards TD
DeMarlo Rozier Jr.: 16 carries 190 yards 3 TD
Derrick Gordon III: 6 carries 135 yards 2 TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
McKinley 6:34- Braylon Crook to Darius Hill, 29 yards (kick good)
Brunswick 2:04- Connor Jamison to Tyler Burk, 28 yards (kick good)
2nd Quarter
McKinley 11:55- Braylon Crook to Darius Hill, 17 yards (kick good)
Brunswick 9:38- Anthony Gamboa to Adin Evert, 27 yards (kick good)
McKinley 9:19- Braylon Crook, 69-yard run (kick good)
McKinley 6:47- Shad Davis, 2-yard run (kick good)
McKinley 1:38- DeMarlo Rozier Jr., 15-yard run (kick good)
Brunswick 0:21- Connor Jamison to Gavin Ballok, 7 yards (kick good)
3rd Quarter
Brunswick 3:44- Connor Jamison to Gavin Ballok, 17 yards (kick good)
McKinley 0:48- DeMarlo Rozier Jr., 47-yard run (kick good)
4th Quarter
McKinley 11:15- DeMarlo Rozier Jr., 48-yard run (kick no good)
McKinley 8:22- Derrick Gordon III, 34-yard run (kick good)
McKinley 5:04- Derrick Gordon III, 65-yard run (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Brunswick | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| McKinley | 7 | 28 | 7 | 20 | 62 |
