PREP FOOTBALL Reynolds scores early, often in rout of Kennedy Catholic

Richie Burnworth scored two touchdowns for the Raiders in the 31-0 win.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Reynolds High football team scored on its opening possession Saturday and rolled to a 31-0 victory over Kennedy Catholic.
"We played well most of the game, but we have to be more consistent and tackle better," Raiders coach Roger Shoaff said.
The Raiders marched 65 yards in six plays with sophomore Jake McBride scoring from 10 yards out for a 6-0 lead.
Sophomore Richie Burnworth gained 107 yards on 19 carries and scored two second-half touchdowns.
"Our blocking was awesome and the holes were there," Burnworth said.
A shanked punt set up Reynolds' second first-quarter touchdown as the Raiders drove 38 yards in five plays. Senior quarterback Jason Shaffer connected with flanker Matt Weaver for a 26-yard completion and a 6-yard toss for the score.
Strong defense
The Reynolds defense shut down Kennedy Catholic to one first down in the first half. It had just three for the game.
Junior defensive end Eddie Green was the chief villain for the visitors. When a ball was jarred loose in the Kennedy backfield, Green scooped it up and rambled 28 yards for a third Raiders score with 9:32 remaining in the first half.
"I came from the backside and when Mike Edwards hit the quarterback, I saw the ball and picked it up and ran," Green said.
Green also blocked a punt to give the Raiders the ball on Kennedy's 10 yard line and Burnworth scored on the first play from scrimmage with 2:35 left in the third quarter.
"I almost got in on the previous punt," Green said. "This time, I went outside of their blocker and I guess they misjudged my speed."
About Green, Shoaff said, "He is an opportunistic young man and the kind of guy who is around the football and will make something happen."
Taking control
The rampaging Raiders defense held the Golden Eagles to 67 yards on 32 plays.
The final Reynolds scoring drive used 13 plays to go 61 yards and ate seven minutes of fourth-quarter clock. Burnworth scored his second touchdown from 12 yards out.
Reynolds had 39 carries for 210 rushing yards.
Freshman Ross Gargano carried 14 times for 53 yards.
Kennedy Catholic coach Mike Donato said he has a very young and inexperienced team which should improve.
"Today, the team that blocked and tackled the best won the game," Donato said.