By Rob Potter
ROSCOE — October 15, 2002 – Amid a steady soaking rain, hundreds of fans turned out in Roscoe Friday evening to enjoy some high school football under the lights.
Thanks to a donation from the Tony Bryztwa Memorial Fund, temporary lights were brought in Friday night so the host Blue Devils and visiting Eldred Yellowjackets could play.
As expected under the adverse conditions, moving the ball and just hanging on to it were problems for both squads.
But Roscoe (5-1) scored three touchdowns to earn a 21-0 non-league victory over Eldred (3-3).
Blue Devil senior running back Brian Ballard eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark for his varsity career. He finished with 135 yards in the contest, while fellow running back Tim Haas had 72 yards on the ground.
Haas opened the scoring in the first quarter. With the Eldred defense keying on Ballard, Haas took a handoff from quarterback Justin Bowers and ran to the outside for a 17-yard touchdown.
In the third quarter, Bowers scored on a quarterback sneak to give Roscoe a 12-0 lead. Bowers also scored the 2-point conversion to make it a 14-0 contest.
Dan Park added a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to give the Blue Devils a 20-0 lead. Bowers kicked the PAT to make it 21-0.
Roscoe Coach Fred Ahart noted the contributions made by Ballard and several other players.
“Tim Haas had some key yards tonight,” Ahart said. “And the offensive line did a tremendous job – center Joe Anderman, guard Travis O’Dell, guard Rob Eggleton, tackle Rob Evans, tackle Dusty Bury and ends Greg Feeney and Brandon Hendrickson.”
While players from both teams struggled to hang onto the ball in the slippery conditions, the Eldred drives got bogged down before reaching the end zone.
“We made some mistakes that just took us out of the game,” Eldred Coach Frank Kean said.
According to the Eldred stat book, Kyle Schneider had 20 carries for 142 yards and Vin Reilly added 110 yards on 18 rushes.
Notes: Prior to the game, RCS alumni had the opportunity to view the recent additions made to the venerable school building, which includes several classrooms and a new regulation-size gymnasium. In addition, before kickoff the current RCS board of education and administration members were recognized.
Also on hand were members of the Bryztwa families as well as those of three Roscoe students – Tim Johnston, Beverlee Morgan and Kurt Rowan – who passed away during their high school years. Memorial plaques for those four RCS students are scheduled to be installed in the lobby of the new gymnasium upon its completion.
Eldred Athletic Director Al Wotjaszak, Kean, the Eldred players and fans were also recognized for their willingness to play the Friday night game.
“We certainly thank Eldred for their participation tonight,” Ahart said.