Littlestown's Storey and Matthews run over Hamburg
Littlestown head coach Mike Lippy watched it unfold, but he still couldn't help but smile and shake his head when he heard the numbers after the game.
Nine carries for 223 yards. Those were the combined rushing statistics of Thunderbolts running backs Wes Storey and Drew Matthews against Hamburg Friday night. All of it came in the first half as Littlestown rolled to a 58-7 home victory against the Hawks.
Now in his 14th year leading the program, Lippy doesn't think he's ever had a rushing attack as potent as the Bolts have now. Storey and Matthews have both rushed for more than 100 yards in each of Littlestown's first two games.
"We're making some holes, and those kids are quick," Lippy said. "I don't know if Storey got touched. It doesn't seem like we've ever run like this but it's coming around."
Storey got the ball rolling for the Bolts on Friday, breaking loose for a 50-yard touchdown run on Littlestown's first offensive play of the night. Matthews put the team up 14-0 minutes later with a 10-yard burst before adding an 81-yard score in the second quarter.
But those two were far from the only standouts for the Bolts on a night where everything seemed to work for them. Austin Watters and Corbin Brown also provided highlight-worthy touchdowns, and quarterback Tanner Noble played efficiently as Littlestown went into halftime leading by 44.
Storey said it was the best performance he's seen from the Bolts offensive line, including a game last season against Fairfield when he ran for more than 300 yards.
"The holes were open, the line did everything they could," Storey said. "I mean, you got through the line and saw one guy and you were gone. Fairfield last year was close, but the holes weren't as good as they were today."
Not only are the Bolts now 2-0, they've won both games by a combined score of 86-7. Lippy said that while he thought the team could win its first two matchups going into the season, he never expected the games to be so lopsided.
What has impressed Lippy the most about the Bolts so far has been the performance of their defense. Littlestown gave up more than 30 points seven times last season but has allowed only one touchdown in two games this fall. And that score came against its second-string unit on Friday.
"Honestly, we argued about so many things (about the defense) the past two years because that's what happens when you lose," Lippy said. "These guys have learned what they need to learn. I think our defense is finally back to where it needs to be."
The Bolts have already matched their win total from last season, and Lippy hopes Littlestown has turned a corner. He attributed the team's early success to the player's commitment to turning the program around.
"I surely would like to think the Bolts are back, but you get measured by that week in and week out," Lippy said. "This group of seniors hasn't been winners, and this is their opportunity to do that."
Hamburg_0_7_0_0_—_7
Littlestown_21_30_0_7_—_58
First Quarter
LT -- Wes Storey 50 run (Alex Potts kick), 10:19
LT -- Drew Matthews 10 run (Potts kick), 4:41
LT -- Corbin Brown 55 punt return (Potts kick) 2:21
Second Quarter
LT -- Austin Watters 14 run (10:28), Potts kick
LT -- Matthews 81 run (6:58), Potts kick
LT -- Potts safety (5:49)
LT -- Storey 65 kick return (5:38), Potts kick
LT -- Dylan Morey 2 run (4:05), Potts kick
Ham -- Seamus Barter 30 pass from Donovan Remp (Mason Nester kick), 3:18
Fourth Quarter
LT -- Trent Stonesifer 11 run (Potts kick), 9:50
_Ham_ LT
First downs_9_15
Rushes-Yards_34-82_26-354
Passing_5-14-0_5-7-0
Passing Yards_88_59
Total Yards_170_413
Punts_4-34.5_1-9
Fumbles-Lost_3-2_1-0
Penalties-Yards_5-30_4-30
Rushing — Hamburg, Austin Gromlich 11-36, Jordan McAllister 8-28, Donovan Remp 3-15, Logan Herber 4-4, Logan Werley 3-1, Mason Wolber 3-6, Tanner Quigley 1-(-3), Justin Contreras 1-(-5). Littlestown, Wes Storey 6-117, Drew Matthews 3-106, Austin Watters 4-39, Dylan Morey 2-7, Trent Stonesifer 3-15, Jason Penton 3-18, Wyatt Kramer 3-44, Corbin Brown 1-8, Jakob Lane 1-0.
Passing — Hamburg, Quigley 3-10-35-0, Remp 2-3-53-0, Alexander Norton 0-1-0. Littlestown, Tanner Noble 4-6-49-0, Lane 1-1-10.
Receiving — Hamburg, Seamus Barter 2-53, Werley 2-31, Ryan Brownmiller 1-4. Littlestown, Tyler Barthel 3-42, Jacob Thomas 1-10, Storey 1-7.