Justin Cunningham caught a pass in the middle of the backfield, side-stepped one defender, barreled over two more and sprinted 44 yards down the sideline. That sight was all-too familiar for Bishop Ready's defense.
A strong one-two punch from the Nelsonville-York backfield was too much for Bishop Ready to overcome as the Buckeyes (3-1) defeated the Silver Knights (2-2), 26-16.
Cunningham and Dustin Young combined for 277 yards on the ground and kept the chains moving for the Nelsonville-York offense.
Our running backs are both strong
physical kids Nelsonville-York coach Dave Boston said. We just did what we do best and that's run at you.
Cunningham led the attack with 183 rushing yards and 71 through the air for 254 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Whether it's blocking
running the football or making a tackle
he's one of those kids that knows how to get it done
Boston said. When he plays well
the rest of (the players) step up.
Strong play upfront from the Buckeye's offensive line was the catalyst to Cunningham's success, Boston said.
I thought our offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage
and I thought we played real physical up there
Boston said. I told my backs after the game
'lets make sure we thank these guys because they played a whale of a ball game.'
Nelsonville-York's ground game allowed the Buckeyes to open up the pass as Nathan Dean connected on 10 of 17 passing attempts for 157 yards and touchdown.
Running back Demetrius Clark was the one bright spot for the Bishop Ready offense as the senior rushed for 101 yards on 17 carries.
But Nelsonville-York's ability to control the game clock allowed the Buckeyes to limit Clark's touches.
We knew we had to keep the ball out of his hands
Boston said. We had to control the football and be able to move the ball on the ground successfully.
The Buckeyes had four drives with 10 plays or greater.
Despite Clark's efforts, penalties plagued the Knights' offense all night long.
Bishop Ready was penalized 14 times for 126 yards.
Bishop Ready trailed 18-3 entering the fourth quarter, but a 35-yard touchdown pass from Bo Hardy to Ryan Moore with 7:54 remaining brought the Knights within 10. But Ready failed to convert the two-point conversion and Nelsonville-York iced the victory.
