Arsenal of backs power Delone Catholic to win
In front of a jam-packed home crowd, Delone Catholic rushed for 238 yards en route to a 43-14 Week 2 victory over the Columbia Crimson Tide.
Delone’s backfield trio of Zach Hart, Ryan Hart and Logan Panzer dominated throughout the entirety of the contest, combining for 133 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
When those three weren’t on the field, the Squires continued to find success offensively, as five others rushed for positive yardage within the team's prolific Wing-T offense.
“We knew coming in that we had a good bit of depth at our running back position,” said Delone Catholic head coach Corey Zortman. “All those guys (at that position) are capable and we made sure that they were utilized to our advantage.”
Delone Catholic senior quarterback Brian Shermeyer found Larry Lefler III in the corner of the end zone from 16 yards out for the team’s only passing touchdown of the game.
Besides a 65-yard touchdown run by Crimson Tide quarterback Meleik Crenshaw in the second quarter, the Squires held Columbia in check – playing a field position-type game and bringing pressure up the middle, resulting in three first quarter punts and a safety late in the game.
“Our big guys are playing both ways and the physical conditioning this past offseason has paid off,” Zortman said. “I give them a lot of credit.”
The consistent defensive pressure reached its peak in the second quarter, as Derek Smith returned a fumble 61 yards for Delone’s second touchdown.
“I got a little scared as I thought someone was chasing me,” Smith said with a laugh. “It was an exciting moment and I’m glad I was able to aid my team.”
Next week Delone Catholic faces off against local rival New Oxford.
“Memories are made when you play in these types of games,” Zortman said of facing the Colonials. “We’re looking forward to having a fun week and improving each day as it comes.
“This (matchup) is what it’s all about.”
Delone Catholic 43, Columbia 14
Columbia_ 0_ 8_ 0_ 6_ — _ 14
Delone Catholic_ 13_ 21_ 9_ 0_ — _ 43
First Quarter
DC – Zachary Hart 2 yard run (Marcello Malvone kick), 4:48
DC – Derek Smith 61 yard fumble recovery (kick failed), 2:35
Second Quarter
DC — Ryan Hard 33 yard run (Malyone kick), 10:13
Col — Meleik Crenshaw 65 yard run (two-point successful), 9:56
DC — Logan Panzer 6 yard run (Malyone kick), 8:36
DC — Larry Lefler III 16-pass from Brian Shermeyer (Malyone kick), 2:26
Third Quarter
DC — Meleik Crenshaw sacked in end zone for safety, 9:15
DC — Dimitri Partenza 5 yard run (Malyone kick), 8:56
Fourth Quarter
Col — Meleik Crenshaw 6 yard run (kick failed), 3:56
Team Statistics
_ Col _ DC
First downs _ 10_ 11
Rushes-yards _ 30-117_ 29-238
Passing _ 9-11-0_ 4-5-0
Passing yards _ 100_ 33
Total yards _ 217_ 271
Punts _ 3-24.6_ 3-30
Fumbles-lost _ 1-1_ 0-0
Penalties-yards _ 7-65_ 5-45
Individual Statistics
Rushing — Col, Meleik Crenshaw 10-30, Tyler Harman 10-29, Ahmad Kamara 4-55, Edwin Ramos 3-13, Brandon Derr 1-1, Isaiah Acosta 1-0, Alex Gilbert 1-(-11). DC, Z. Hart 5-47, R. Hart 4-43, Logan Panzer 4-43, Derek Weaver 4-25, Andrew Hernandez 2-42, Tyler Monto 2-36, Sean Sneeringer 2-8, Dimitri Partenza 2-7, Brian Shermeyer 1-0, AJ Knobloch 3-(-13)
Passing — Col, Crenshaw 9-13-100. DC, Shermeyer 4-4-33, Evan Brady 0-1
Receiving — Col, Jovon Sanford 3-54, Kobie Wakefield 3-34, Tyreese Musser 2-7, Tyler Harman 1-5. DC, Larry Lefler III 1-16, Ogechi Oparanozie 1-13, Jonathan Pierce 1-3, Ryan Malinowski 1-1