Susquehannock's Stoneberg, Tannura wreak havoc on Kennard-Dale
Susquehannock quarterback Josh Stoneberg has had the same go-to receiver for more than seven years. From youth football in fifth grade to senior year of high school, Stoneberg and wide receiver Nick Tannura have developed a chemistry unlike many in high school football.
Going into Friday's matchup with Kennard-Dale, the duo had combined for more than 30 connections, including five touchdowns, and almost 600 yards. Friday against a pass defense that allowed more than 1,000 yards to opposing teams through the air, Stoneberg and Tannura flourished en route to a 35-17 win against the surging Rams.
"Tannura really came through tonight, and Josh threw the ball well," Susquehannock head coach Steve Wiles said. "(Kennard-Dale) loaded the box up and stopped our run, so we had to go to the passing game and we executed on that. We thought we had a mismatch there, so that's something we worked on this week."
Stoneberg found Tannura early and often, setting the tone for a 140-yard, three-touchdown performance for the Susquehannock wide receiver.
On the first drive for the Warriors (4-5, 3-2 YAIAA Division II), Stoneberg floated a ball to Tannura, who made a 31-yard, one-handed catch on the sideline. It was tough act to follow, but Tannura had another one-handed grab for a 10-yard touchdown on the same drive.
"Honestly, I don't know how I did that," Tannura said of the two catches. "I guess I couldn't go with two hands and had to go with one hand."
Stoneberg said Tannura's build helps him make those types of plays.
"He's really athletic. He's the real deal," he said. "I'm proud to be his teammate. It's really nice."
Stoneberg accounted for all five of Susquehannock's touchdowns, passing for 244 yards along the way. That brings his season total over 1,000 yards, a milestone that Wiles said he wanted his quarterback to reach with a new offensive scheme.
"He's learned a new system this year, which isn't easy, and he's getting better and better in this system all the time," Wiles said. "He's really progressed and gotten better each week."
The Warriors defense helped keep the early lead, forcing four Rams turnovers, including three in four possessions in the second half. It also held Rams running back Chase Carlile to just 3.4 yards per carry, down from his season average of 5.6.
Kennard-Dale quarterback Daniel Brewer completed 12-of-19 passes, hitting wide receiver Kyle Woolridge five times. The loss snaps a two-game winning streak for the Rams (3-6, 2-4).
Susquehannock714014—35Kennard-Dale3608—17
First Quarter
Kennard-Dale — Austin Jenkins 32 field goal, 7:55
Susquehannock —Nick Tannura 10 pass from Josh Stoneberg (Hedgeland kick), 3:53
Second Quarter
Susquehannock — Ethan Schammel 8 pass from Josh Stoneberg (Hedgeland kick), 9:49
Kennard-Dale — Jacob Deppen 17 rush (Jenkins kick no good), 2:37
Susquehannock — Dorian Faster 16 pass from Josh Stoneberg (Hedgeland kick), 0:30
Fourth Quarter
Susquehannock — Nick Tannura 29 pass from Josh Stoneberg (Hedgeland kick), 9:28.
Kennard-Dale — Chase Carlile 12 rush (Two-point conversion good), 4:34
Susquehannock — Nick Tannura 34 pass from Josh Stoneberg (Hedgeland kick), 2:35.
Susquehannock Kennard-DaleFirst downs614Rushes-Yards25-8449-193 Passing10-20-012-21-2 Passing Yards244134Total Yards328316 Fumbles-Lost1-02-2Penalties-Yards5-352-15
Individual statistics
Rushing — Susquehannock, Jack Allred 8-17, Dorian Faster 3-9, Myles Moultrie 6-25, Kevin Clapp 2-6, Brent Hofler 2-3, Alec Kramer 1-4, Josh Stoneberg 3-20. Kennard-Dale, Chase Carlile 30-101, Jacob Deppen 2-13, Daniel Brewer 12-43, Nick Workinger 2-6, Shawn Ellis 1-8, Austin Jenkins 2-22.
Passing — Susquehannock, Josh Stoneberg 10-20-244. Kennard-Dale, Daniel Brewer 12-19-134, Chase Carlile 0-2-0.
Receiving — Susquehannock, Nick Tannura 5-140, Dorian Faster 3-75, Ethan Schammel 2-29. Kennard-Dale, Chase Carlile 1-7, Jacob Deppen 2-19, Kyle Woolridge 5-57, Connor Stokes 2-28, Austin Jenkins 2-23.