Eastern York rumbles past Columbia, 24-0

The first football game of the season always brings to light some kinks to be ironed.

Eastern York coach Dave Kemmick said that was the case Friday night — even despite the Golden Knights' impressive 24-0 win against cross-bridge rival Columbia.

Although looking sharp on the defensive side of the ball, Eastern at times failed to capitalize on offensive opportunities as the Golden Knights controlled possession for most of the contest.

"We had a great week of practice, and it showed — except for the mistakes that we made," said Kemmick, the second-year head coach. "We clean that stuff up, and we will be all right."

The Knights' rushing game was led by junior Keegan Corwell. Despite going down late in the third quarter with a knee injury, he accounted for 147 of the hosts' 200 rushing yards on the evening.

Corwell came into the game with big expectations after he contributed more than 600 yards as a sophomore, combining with graduated seniors Lucas Barshinger and David Livelsberger to carry the Knight's rushing load in 2014.

Eastern York was equally as impressive on the other side of the ball. The Knights shut out the visiting Crimson Tide and held the opposing offense to just 104 total yards including 34 rushing yards.

"The defense has been playing really well. They've looked good since we started. We have a lot of kids back on defense and we're playing fast and confident," Kemmick said.

Eastern started off the scoring in the first quarter and put a touchdown on the board in each of the four stanzas.

One of quarterback Ryan Kalke's three pass completions on the night came with 6:01 left in the first quarter when he hit received Dylan Pruger in the back of the end zone from ten yards out for the first score of the night.

The Knights dominated the clock with their rushing game the rest of the evening. Kalke, Corwell and senior Sam Pollock all found the end zone for Eastern as they rolled to the four-score victory.

The Knights look forward next week to York County Tech — a foe they rolled past last year, 26-8.

Columbia0000—0Eastern York6666—24

First Quarter

Eastern York— Dylan Pruger 10 pass from Ryan Kalke (kick failed), 6:01.

Second Quarter

Eastern York— Kalke 3 run (conversion failed), 3:06.

Third Quarter

Eastern York— Keegan Corwell 1 run (kick failed), 4:40.

Fourth Quarter

Eastern York— Sam Pollock 4 run (kick failed), 9:41.

First downs611Rushes-yards 23-34 48-200 Passing 8-13-0 3-3-0 Passing yards 70 18 Total yards 104 218 Punts 4-28.8 2-21 Fumbles-lost 3-2 2-0 Penalties-yards 7-50 5-35

Individual statistics

Rushing — Col, Meleik Crenshaw 3-13, Anthony Rodriguez 4-10, Edwin Ramos 2-6, TJavon McIntyre 3-3, Dominic Sierra 5-2, Jaden Vazquez 3-1, Tyler Harman 3-(-1). EY, Keegan Corwell 26-147, Logan Kline 9-38, Sam Pollock 5-11, Seth Bernstein 3-6 , Brennen Shenk 1-0, Ryan Kalke 4-(-2).

Passing— Col, Corey 4-7-0-27, Crenshaw 4-6-0-43. EY, Kalke 3-3-0-18.

Receiving— Col, Tyreese Musser 3-39, McIntyre 3-16, Harman 1-13, Vazquez 1-2. EY, Dylan Pruger 1-10, Logan Kline 1-6, Pollock 1-2.