Littlestown's Storey romps for 324 yards, four TDs vs. Fairfield
The Littlestown Thunderbolts came into Friday's finale wanting to give their seniors a happy send-off.
Junior running back Wes Storey made sure that was possible with a 342-yard, four-touchdown performance to help Littlestown beat Fairfield, 72-36, in the highest-scoring game in the history of Robert Finafrock Field.
"You want to send the kids outta the program with a big smile on their face," Littlestown head coach Mike Lippy said.
In what's been a trying season for Littlestown (2-8, 2-7 YAIAA Division II), at least that final mission was accomplished.
"It means so much (for the seniors)," Storey said. "The year didn't go as planned; you couldn't ask for anything more tonight for the guys and to build for years to come."
The night didn't start as planned, either, as the Knights took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards in four plays, scoring 1:12 into the contest.
"Obviously, we were feeling really good," Fairfield head coach Darwin Seiler said. "The first three drives were a microcosm of our season: We could move the ball and put up points, but we haven't stopped a soul all year."
It took Littlestown less than two minutes to respond. Sophomore Alex Watters rushed for two touchdowns to put the Bolts in front.
Then, the Littlestown defense stepped up. The Bolts pressured Darian Mort on second-and-6, and Dylan Stiles hit him for a 7-yard loss. The ball popped loose, and Dylan Morey recovered at the Fairfield 34. Storey scampered 33 yards and then bludgeoned in from a yard out to make it 21-7.
Fairfield cut the deficit to seven points early in the second.
On third-and-21 from the Littlestown 34, Mort dropped back and floated a screen pass to the left. The defensive end lunged for it, but it eluded him. Charlie Burnett scooped it up and weaved in and out of traffic for a touchdown.
Storey penned his own response three plays later, taking a pitch to the right and cut back inside a perimeter block before turning on the jets for a 50-yard touchdown.
"Storey ran with a purpose tonight," Lippy said. "He never got stopped by one person."
On the second-half kickoff, Storey took off. It was as if he were on solid ground while the rest of the players were in quicksand as Storey motored for a 90-yard score.
The teams traded touchdowns the rest of the third.
"Every time we allowed a touchdown, we ran the ball and it just worked," Lippy said. "I didn't want to throw offensively, because I didn't want to throw an interception or use up a down because of that kid (Mort). He kept throwing the ball and they kept scoring."
Stiles led the way with two sacks for Littlestown.
"It's great to be able to help the seniors come out with a win after all the work they've put in," Stiles said.
Littlestown21142116—72
Fairfield77148—36
First Quarter
F — Charlie Burnett 5 run (Darian Mort kick), 10:48
Lt — Austin Watters 6 run (Alex Potts kick), 8:57
Lt — Watters 7 run (Potts kick), 4:20
Lt — Wes Storey 1 run (Potts kick), 2:10
Second Quarter
F — Charlie Burnett 34 pass from Mort (Mort kick), 8:33
Lt — Storey 50 run (Potts kick), 7:33
Lt — Storey 86 run (Potts kick), 4:30
Third Quarter
Lt — Storey 90 kick return (Potts kick), 11:47
F — Aaron Moore 37 pass from Mort (Mort kick), 7:33
Lt — Jose Ariza 13 run (Potts kick), 5:25
F — Moore 24 pass from Mort (Mort kick), 3:21
Lt — Colin McNeal 1 run (Potts kick), 1:47
Fourth Quarter
Lt — Cody Boyd 1 run (Potts kick), 9:47
Lt — Safety, ball snapped out of end zone, 7:53
Lt — Tyler Carr 11 run (Potts kick), 4:45
F — Mort 5 run (Moore pass from Mort), 1:15
LtFF
First downs2319
Rushes-Yards47-55136-110
Passing2-3-015-30-0
Passing Yards72257
Total Yards623367
Punts0-0.04-30.3
Fumbles-Lost0-02-1
Penalties-Yards8-823-23
Individual statistics
Rushing — Lt, Wes Storey 15-342, Jose Ariza 11-81, Austin Watters 4-36, Tyler Carr 3-32, Cody Boyd 5-20, Andrew Matthews 3-18, Dylan Morey 2-14, Colin McNeal 2-10, Team 2-(-2). F, Darian Mort 19-61, Tyler Karstetter 3-17, Charlie Burnett 5-17, Matt Petrie 8-17, Team 1-(-2).
Passing — Lt, Boyd 2-3-0-72, Tanner Noble 0-0-0-0. F, Mort 15-30-0-257.
Receiving — Lt, Jackson Hornbrook 1-55, Ariza 1-17. F, Petrie 7-107, Aaron Moore 5-95, Burnett 1-34, Daniel Miller 1-17, Trystan Griffith 1-4.