The Dutchtown Griffins (1-0) hosted the McMain High Mustangs (0-1) this Friday, Sept. 13th.
McMain started on offense first, testing the Griffin secondary through the air with a pass completion. Following the completion, Mustang QB Armstrong could not escape the Dutchtown pass rush, as junior OLB Chris Washington recorded a sack for 5 yard loss. McMain failed to pick up a first down, resulting in a 3-and-out for the Dutchtown D.
McMain gifted the Griffins a short field due to a short punt as Dutchtown’s offense trotted on for their first possession from scrimmage. The Griffins wasted little time in establishing it’s run game, with senior QB Brayden Fritche on the give to sophomore RB Dylan Sampson for a gain of 9 yards on the first play. Sampson would share carries with senior RB Blayden Louis, who took the next handoff for a gain of 5 as Dutchtown threatened to score early in the first quarter. Fritche dropped back on the Griffins next two snaps, completing his first pass to junior wideout Derrick Youngblood, then followed with a 27 yard toss for a touchdown to junior Dajon Watkins in the slot. Fritche’s touchdown pass would go on to be the only score through the air for either team.
The Mustangs failed to answer Dutchtown’s score, finding little success on the ground and failing to protect their QB, Armstrong, who was sacked in back-to-back drives, this time taken down by the Griffin’s 6’0 210 lb edge rusher Joseph Johnson.
With another 3-and-out by Dutchtown’s defense, McMain punted and rewarded the Griffins excellent field position for a second straight time, putting their offense in opposing territory and another short field at the McMain 47.
Workhorse back Dylan Sampson came into the second possession hot, barreling his way through the Mustang front seven for a gain of 10 and a first down. Penalties granted Dutchdown additional yardage following Sampson’s run, edging the Griffins near the redzone. Dutchtown surrendered a penalty of their own, resulting in a 2nd and 19, however, Fritche put it through the air to Watkins, who performed a circus-like catch, diving over a Mustang defender for 20 yards and a first down. As Fritche dropped back in the pocket in Mustang territory, he darted a ball intended for the endzone that was intercepted by McMain’s senior corner Amari Clark at the 5 yard line. A great takeaway for the Mustang defense.
Following the turnover, Mustang RB Armstrong exploded for a 32 yard rush, giving McMain some much needed offensive production. Dutchtown’s defense responded strong, however, forcing McMain to punt as Joseph Johnson tore his way into the backfield for a tackle-for-loss.
The Griffins returned to their rushing attack with Sampson, breaking multiple tackles for a gain of 14 on the first play of the 2nd quarter. After a few modest gains on the ground by Blayden Louis, Dylan Sampson broke pass the line of scrimmage, torching the Mustang secondary with a 44 yard sprint to the endzone, putting Dutchtown up 14-0.
McMain’s offense continued to struggle against a dominant Griffin defense, going 3-and-out for a third time, while being forced to turn the ball back over to a rolling Griffin rushing attack.
Dutchtown seemingly lived in McMain territory during the first half, with a Mustang punt failing to cross the 50 yard line. The Griffins made a short change at quarterback with senior CB Logan Scott taking snaps for Dutchtown as the second quarter reached the midway mark. Scott carried on a QB keeper three consecutive plays, picking up the first down on 3rd and short. Sampson received the next carry for a gain of 9, adding to his already impressive first half statline. Fritche came back in under center on a 3rd and 1, handing off to Louis for a Griffin 1st down. Fritche tested the air following the first down, dropping back and throwing a fade to Dajaon Watkins, but excellent coverage by junior Anthony Green forced an incompletion. Aside from two great catches by Griffin slot receiver Watkins, Anthony Green contained him well throughout the game, accounting for multiple pass breakups and incompletions. Dutchtown’s offense continued to establish their run game, mixing in Dajan Watkins with a jet sweep who sprinted his way to the McMain 4 yard line. Sampson lowered his shoulder on the following play for a 4 yard touchdown run, giving him his second score on the ground in the first half.
McMain’s offense would not cross the 50 yard line for the remainder of the half, while Dutchtown added another score in the form of a 3-point field goal by kicker Cohen Parent, giving the Griffins a 24-0 lead at halftime.
The second half largely mirrored the first. Dutchtown’s defense remained dominant throughout, almost always forcing a McMain punt inside their own 30. This resulted in Dutchtown taking essentially every offensive snap inside McMain territory. The Griffins would score two more touchdowns through their ferocious rushing attack, while the McMain offense failed to cross the 50 during the second half, resulting in a final score of 38-0 in Dutchtown’s favor.
Key Takeaways
Dutchtown dominated by continuously pounding the football on the ground, controlling the time of possession, while always allowing their defense ample time to rest. Dylan Sampson lead the Griffin run game, going for 147 yards on 14 carries with 2 touchdowns.
McMain secondary played extremely well despite the score. The Mustangs held QB Brayden Fritche to 5 of 13 completions, allowing only 69 yards through the air, mostly accounted for by WR Dajan Watkins.
In the end, Dutchtown’s defense proved too much for McMain’s offense, who failed to even enter the redzone.
Next week, Dutchtown is back at home as they’ll face Covington High. McMain will look to overcome back-to-back losses in their first home game against KIPP Booker T. Washinton.
You must be logged in to post a comment.