By Rob Potter
ODESSA-MONTOUR — October 3, 2000 – Paced by a record rushing performance by Brian Ryder and a fourth quarter scoring surge, Roscoe knocked off Newfield 34-12 in a non-league game at Odessa-Montour.
Ryder, a junior tailback, carried the ball 38 times for 282 yards. He also scored four touchdowns for the Blue Devils (2–3) as they defeated Newfield, a Section IV — Class D school.
Tied at 12-12 entering the final quarter, Roscoe scored three touchdowns in those last 12 minutes to seal the victory. Ryder found paydirt on two long rushes, a 47-yard run and an 81-yard gallop, and quarterback Shawn Hendrickson hit Jeff Bury with a 17-yard scoring strike to give the Blue Devils a big lead.
Brian Ballard, who rushed eight times for 64 yards, ran in the two-point conversion following two of the fourth quarter TDs.
The 282 yards gained by Ryder, who now has a career total of 1,156 in his third year on the varsity squad, was the most ever garnered in a game by a single back in the 32 years that Fred Ahart has been coaching at Roscoe.
“Anytime you have that kind of rushing, the offensive line deserves a lot of credit,” Ahart said. “Brian recognizes that and he appreciates all of his teammates for the blocking they do. He knows the linemen, ends and other blockers have helped him get those 1,000 (plus) yards.”
Ryder has rushed for 646 yards so far this season, a healthy average of 129 yards a game.
Hendrickson was 3-of-7 passing for 41 yards and Bury caught two passes for 34 yards.
Unfortunately, the Blue Devils suffered a costly injury in the game. End David Eggleton suffered a broken collarbone on a 17-yard reception in the first half. The catch, however, set up Roscoe’s first touchdown of the day.
Eggleton is expected to miss the rest of the season, Ahart said.