By Nathan Mayberg
LIVINGSTON MANOR – September 14, 2004 – The Eldred Yellowjackets defeated the Livingston Manor Wildcats 28-0 through an all-around team effort at Livingston Manor on Friday.
Eldred (1-1) was led offensively by senior Kyle Schneider, who ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Jonathan Counts and Tim Hallock also ran for touchdowns.
Sophmore quarterback Nick McCormick contributed a strong passing and and running game.
Eldred’s defensive game was just as important to their win – their players combined on nearly every tackle. Junior tackles Jon Adams and George Fountain caused havoc all game long for the Livingston Manor offense. The tackles penetrated the offensive line of Livingston Manor constantly, pressuring the quarterback throughout the game.
Livingston Manor (0-2) was led by junior runningback Mike Perry, who ran for more than 50 yards, and totaled about 40 yards receiving. He also intercepted one pass.
Senior quarterback Josh Mendez flashed considerable talent. He threw for more than 50 yards, and rushed for more than 30. He displayed steadfast composure, despite the consistent pressure of the Eldred defense.
Jason Powers was also a rushing force for the Wildcats, rushing for more than 60 yards.
Schneider ran for the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter. McCormick had an array of options to choose from. Aside from Schneider, he had a reliable receiver in Brian Daboal and a talented runner in Patrick Kean.
Livingston Manor had several big running plays in the first quarter. However, every time they made a gain, the Yellowjackets’ big defensive line stepped up to make a play. The game was also marred by a flurry of penalties for both teams.
The Wildcats took a risk in the first half with an unsuccessful fourth down attempt. Eldred took over about mid-field, and on their first play Schnieder ran more than30 yards well into Livingston Manor’s zone.
Schnieder followed that run up with another 12 yard gain, and then Counts ran the ball to the one yard line. Schneider made the score 14-0 with a one yard touchdown, which seemed to be the momentum shifter in the game.
Livingston Manor attempted to come back through big runs by Perry and Mendez. But the Yellowjackets defense stepped up one again. Fountain sacked Mendez, and Counts nearly intercepted a pass, ending Livingston Manor’s hopes to go into the second half with points on the board.
Eldred’s defense grew stronger in the third quarter. Daboal and Hallock combined to sack Mendez for a loss of 10 yards in the beginning of the third quarter.
Fountain added a sack of his own, costing the Wildcats another five yards.
Livingston Manor had some bad luck in the third quarter, as their punt came right back to the line of scrimmage. Eldred gained great field position – within the Wildcats’ end of the field.
Eldred capitalized on their good fortune through several short plays, including a fake run, which ended in a passing completion. Counts scored on a short touchdown run to sink the Wildcats 21-0.
The flags continued to rain down as Livingston Manor looked crushed. Kean ran for a 15 yard gain. Schneider and Hallock poured on the run, appearing as if another score was imminent. But Perry stepped up and intercepted a pass from McCormick at the 11 yard line.
The Wildcats’ hopes of a comeback were ended when senior Kyle Ranne intercepted a pass by Mendez at the 20 yard line. Hallock had three carries for more than 20 yards on the ensuing drive alone, including the final touchdown run for the final score of 28-0. Eldred inserted their subs with four and a half minutes left.
“Our defense was strong,” said Eldred head coach Frank Kean after the game. “In the second half, I think we overpowered them.”
Kean noted Schneider’s huge game, and said that Schneider sat out last year with an ACL tear.
He thought his team was motivated by losing to the Wildcats the last five games in a row. Several of his players have been on the team since they were freshmen. He called his players “hungry,” and “self-motivated.” Eldred will face Tri-Valley this Saturday at home.
Livingston Manor head coach Kevin Clifford said, “We have improvements to do. We have to fine-tune things . . . Eldred played well. They kept up their intensity [throughout]. That was the big difference.”
Clifford added that his team was hampered by two injuries. Lee Sanabria injured himself the week before, and senior Derek Irwin injured his knee on the first play of Saturday’s game.
Irwin did not play defense the rest of the game. Clifford called Irwin “one of our big defensive players.” The loss took the team off their game plan, he said.
Clifford complimented the play of Mendez, who he said threw the ball and ran the ball well. Livingston Manor will face Roscoe this Saturday at home.