Westmoreland coming to town for homecoming Thursday

By KEVIN DONALDSON

Horizon Contributor

MONTEREY-The Celina K-8 junior high football team continued its inspired play and standout defensive efforts here last week, shutting out the host Wildcats 42-0.

It was the fifth win of the season for coach Marty Maxfield’s team, which still hasn’t allowed a point on the year.

Maxfield was pleased with the effort from the Jr. Dawgs, and had good things to say about the offensive line in particular. 

“In the practices leading up to the Monterey game, we stressed that both offensively and defensively the game was going to be won in the trenches,” Maxfield said.  “We knew if we could win that battle up front, we could control the outcome of the game.  We did just that by having 217 total yards of offense, and scoring six times. 

“Our defense rose to the challenge again this week, allowing one first down with a negative 12 yards offense for Monterey,” Maxfield said.  “We’ve been doing a great job of swarming to the ball and smothering the opposition.

“Connor Combs wasn’t able to play against Monterey, but eighth-grader Steven Paruszkiewicz and seventh-grader Aaden Mayberry stepped in and did an outstanding job in Connor’s absence,” Maxfield said. 

“Our offensive line is led by returning left guard Jayce Keen and right guard Johnathan Nagy.  They bring leadership and a strong anchor to our line,” Maxfield said.  “Left tackle Layne Mills and right tackle Connor Combs add power while center Micah Shirey is the heart of the line. 

“Tight end Maysun Johnson is the perfect finishing touch.  He does a great job of setting the edge and bringing versatility to our offensive line.  All six bring stability, execution, and a relentless drive to an offense that’s averaging 38 points a game.” 

Celina…………….42

Monterey……….…0

As they have in the last four contests, K-8 came out of the gate in a hurry.  They received the opening kickoff and it took only one play for the Jr. Dawgs to score.

Quarterback Kamron King scored on a 52-yard run with only 23 seconds gone in the opening quarter to make it 6-0.  The conversion try was no good. 

The Dawgs exerted their defensive muscle on Monterey’s first possession.  Matthew Duke sacked the Wildcat quarterback on first down, and Maysun Johnson recovered a Monterey fumble on the 13, and it appeared K-8 was on the verge of another score. 

They would have to wait for that second score, though, as Celina fumbled the ball right back to Monterey, who recovered on their own 16.  The Wildcats gained a few yards before Duke made another tackle for loss at the Monterey 19 yard-line. 

King intercepted the next Monterey pass and returned it 22 yards for a Celina score.  It was the eighth-grader’s third interception return for a touchdown in the past two games. 

Brogan Maxfield ran for a two-point conversion and K-8 led 14-0 at the 2:59 mark of the first period.  That would be the score at the end of the quarter.  Johnson recorded another sack in the period. 

The junior Dawgs scored midway through the second quarter.  After forcing a Monterey punt, Celina took over at the Monterey 37.  On the fourth play of the drive, Duke rambled in for a TD from 33 yards out.  Maxfield added another conversion run, and Celina led 22-0 at the 4:09 mark. 

Monterey took over on their own 34 and picked up a first down before the stingy Dawg defense clamped down again, aided by a sack from Johnathan Nagy. 

Celina held on downs and took over on their own 44 just seconds before halftime.  The short clock didn’t deny the junior Dawgs another score. King hit Duke with a beautiful 56-yard scoring pass with nine seconds remaining.  King added the conversion and the score was 30-0, Celina, at intermission. 

Rylan Hummel got things started with a bang for the Dawgs with a big hit on Monterey’s return of the second half kickoff.  Celina forced another punt, which led to another quick score. 

King set up the TD with a 44-yard punt return to the Monterey 15.  Two plays later, Zaxton York scored from two yards out to make it 36-0. The conversion try failed. 

The junior Dawgs added another score in the fourth period for good measure, following a fumble recovery by Nagy.  Isaac Dawson had a nice 36-yard run for the touchdown to account for the 42-0 final score. 

Stats

Offensively, Kamron King had 68 yds rushing (TD/2PT) and completed a 56-yd pass to Matthew Duke, who also ran the ball (31 yds./TD).

Knox Troubaugh (4 yds.), Brogan Maxfield (6 yds./2 2PT), Issac Dawson (36 yds./TD), and Zaxtyn York (16 yds./TD) joined King and Duke with carries.

Defensively, Maysun Johnson led the way with 10 tackles.  Johnathan Nagy and Matthew Duke each had seven stops, Brogan Maxfield made six, and both Layne Mills and Jayce Keen had four.

Tate Kerr and Rylan Hummel had three tackles each; Aaden Mayberry and Micah Shirey made two apiece; and Scotty Strong, Zaxtyn York, and Kamron King (INT-TD) all had one tackle each.

Up next

K-8 will host Westmoreland for homecoming Thursday and Jackson County on Tuesday, September 16 in the final regular-season contest on 8th-grade night.  Game time is 6:30 p.m.

Divisional playoffs will be held September 20, with the conference championship game set for September 27.