McDonald snaps skid at Ridge

Mineral Ridge Vs. McDonald

Video

McDonald vs Mineral Ridge

Gallery

Blitz Tailgate at Mineral Ridge

Gallery

Zach Tura’s long TD runs triggered the Blue Devils’ 21-8 victory.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

MINERAL RIDGE — Zach Tura’s pair of long touchdown runs covering 120 yards sparked the McDonald High football team to the Blue Devils’ first win at Mineral Ridge in eight years.

Tura’ second-half touchdowns and his fourth-quarter interception plus Nick Cupan’s 4-yard scoring run in the second quarter propelled McDonald’s 21-8 victory Friday at Mineral Ridge High.

The backyard rivalry win keeps the Blue Devils unbeaten as they prepare to defend their Inter Tri-County League Tier Two crown.

“It’s a big deal for us,” said defensive lineman Trent Clay whose fourth-quarter fumble recovery deep in Rams territory helped preserve the lead. “We’ve been waiting to beat this team out here since 2001. It’s a big step for this team and it’s going to spring us into league play.”

In the third quarter, Tura took advantage of some misdirection to break loose down the right sideline for a 59-yard score and a 13-2 lead.

“It all starts with the line — they did a great job of blocking,” said Tura who finished with 146 yards on seven carries. “There was a huge hole — I saw it, I hit it and ran as fast as I could to the end zone.”

Tura sensed immediately he had a chance to go a long way.

“As soon as I got the ball, I knew I was wide open,” Tura said.

McDonald (3-0) coach Dan Williams said, “Our offensive line came through when things got tough.”

Williams said a series of sweeps enabled the Blue Devils to try some trickery.

“The key was the misdirection,” Williams said. “They were angling their whole defense to stop the sweep. With misdirection, it’s tough. And he’s the fastest kid out there. He went to state in the 100 — the kid can fly.”

The Rams (1-2) weren’t finished. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Rams quarterback Zach Kiger hit Daniel Skiba with a short pass that the receiver converted into a 36-yard touchdown.

The conversion pass failed, keeping the Blue Devils ahead, 13-8.

Rams defender Kyle Buston then recovered quarterback Zach Puntel’s fourth-quarter fumble at the McDonald 27.

But Tura’s fourth-down interception inside the 10 stopped the Rams’ drive. Seven plays later, Tura rambled 61 yards for the final score.

“I probably should have batted it down because we were really deep in our territory,” said Tura, who said he was happier with his fourth-quarter score. “The second one pretty much closed off the game.”

Tura also was involved in the Rams’ first score. With the ball at the 4, the McDonald backfield lost control of the ball. Tura picked it up but was caught by Mike Keleman in the end zone for Mineral Ridge’s 2-0 lead early in the second quarter.

“We sent three guys and one of our backers was able to slide through and one of the defensive linemen was able to pick up the back,” Mineral Ridge coach Joe Stevens said. “They made a nice play.”

Williams credited the Rams’ pressure, saying, “they actually tipped the ball before our running back could get his hands on it.”

Clay said the Blue Devils “weren’t really worried. It’s just two points — you can get that on any play.”

The game turned a few plays later when McDonald’s Nicola Accordino broke through the Rams line to block substitute punter Jason Welliver’s boot that Clay recovered at the Mineral Ridge 27.

Four plays later, Cupan scored from the 4 for a 6-2 lead.

“Defensively, I was really pleased [but] I know we can tackle better,” Williams said.

Mineral Ridge suffered a huge loss early when defensive lineman/punter Tommy Padovani broke his leg on the Rams’ first defensive play.

“Probably our best defensive guy breaks his leg on the first play,” Stevens said. “He’s our hammer defensive end, he’s our upback in our stack and he’s our punter. So we scrambled a little bit to make sure we had his spots filled because he’s on everything.

“It was definitely a physical match,” Stevens said. “They were a very physical team and I don’t know if we were ready for that.”

Clay said the Blue Devils’ defense “stepped up. We had some slip-ups, but in the end we pulled together like a family.”

The Blue Devils extended their regular-season wining streak to 13.

“The Class of’09 definitely put a lot of pressure on us,” Clay said. “And the town expects nothing less than the best.”

williams@vindy.com