By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — With an offense averaging nearly 41 points per game, it’s easy to overlook what Spencerport’s gridiron squad does on the other side of the ball.
The Rangers’ defense proved its worth Friday night.
Turnovers short-circuited a pair of first-quarter drives, but John Dowd’s Rangers recovered from those miscues on their way to a decisive 46-6 victory over Greece Athena.
“After those two turnovers, our defense kept us in that game,” Dowd said after Spencerport improved to 5-0 on the season. “That’s what has to happen. We made two turnovers and if they score, we’re down 14-0. It’s a different ball game. Our defense got them off the field quick. We got the ball back. Then we settled back in.”
Junior tailback Brenten Sheffield scored on runs of 25 and 74 yards. Cameron Mesh reached the end zone on a 13-yard rush, and Joe Marcello capped a 10-play drive to open the second half as the Rangers scored on five of six possessions to end the game.
“We have three guys on our team that are like superman,” Dowd said. “Each game one of them does something amazing.”
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Taking over on their own 37 in a scoreless game, the Rangers launched a six-play drive with Sheffield scoring on the second play from scrimmage of the quarter.
After an Anthony Rodriguez interception, Sheffield took the handoff on the first play from scrimmage of the next possession and went the length of the field.
Anthony Rodriguez comes down with the interception for @RangerFBFamily pic.twitter.com/UjDxzycad4
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 1, 2021
Mesh put bookends on a four-play, 63-yard drive starting with a 37-yard scamper before finding pay dirt on his second carry of possession. Their third two-point conversion in as many tries and Spencerport led 24-6 with 4:35 remaining in the second quarter.
Cam Mesh scores from 13 yards out. 2-pt. conversion is good. 4:35 remaining in the half. @RangerFBFamily 24-6. pic.twitter.com/QsBn6vEV1K
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 1, 2021
“We played around with some different combinations in the backfield earlier in the year,” Dowd explained. “This is the first game that all the guys who are our starting backfield were in spots for the first quarter.”
The opening drive of the second half was vintage Spencerport. The Rangers’ Wing-T offense used up nearly six minutes of game clock with four different rushers gaining yards.
Marcello started with a run of six yards and then picked up a first down on his next carry. The senior gained two more on his next carry. Sheffield rushed for five. Mesh moved the chains and his next run drew a face-mask penalty setting up first and 10 from the 15. Rodriguez carried the ball twice setting up third down at the seven. Marcello took if from there getting a first down before reaching the goal line.
Spencerport’s next touchdown didn’t chew up any clock.
Sheffield alertly grabbed a fumbled lateral and raced 49 yards for his third touchdown of the night.
“Last week it was Joey with the kickoff return; this week it was Brenten,” Dowd stated. “That scoop and score was amazing. They’re outstanding kids, hard workers, good football players. It makes you look good when you have good players. We got the horses. If you got the horses, it makes you look good.”
Brenten Sheffield scoops up the fumbled lateral and goes 40 yards for his third touchdown of the game. 3:19 remaining in the third quarter: @RangerFBFamily 39-6. pic.twitter.com/TSC1dMnvN0
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 1, 2021
Sheffield finished with 137 yards on eight carries. Mesh matched his teammate’s output on 11 carries. Mesh finished with 10 tackles – six solo efforts. Sheffield had two sacks and two solo tackles to go with the recovered fumble.
Travis Brown scored Spencerport’s final touchdown with 8:41 remaining in the game.
Connor Osier and Matt Ranalletta connected on the lone Athena touchdown.
On fourth down, Connor Osier hits Matthew Ranalletta in the corner for an @atrojanfootball touchdown. 2-pt. Conversion is no good. @RangerFBFamily 16-6. pic.twitter.com/AxGc3Z1FpT
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 1, 2021
Spencerport will face Canandaigua (5-0) in a rematch of last spring’s Class A semi-final. A 7 p.m. kickoff is slated at Canandaigua next Friday.
Athena travels to play East/World of Inquiry for a 6 p.m. start.
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