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Scourge ballcarrier Brandon Rutland (5) looks for running room while being pursued by Cleveland Patriots KayRon Purdie (53 and Weadell Chery (80) during Sunday’s game in Poland. Behind Rutland is Scourge teammate Jaymes Williams (8).
Western Reserve Scourge clinches first playoff berth with shutout of Patriots
By Greg Gulas
POLAND
The semi-pro foot- ball team Western Reserve Scourge were 3-7 a year ago,
In their two previous Ohio Football League campaigns, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Times are changing. After Sunday’s 28-0 victory over the Cleveland Patriots at Baird Mitchell Field, the Scourge (5-0) head into their open week knowing that they’ve already locked up a playoff berth.
With three regular-season games remaining, the Scourge need one more victory to clinch home-field advantage.
Ed McElroy rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown, Flash Thompson added a punt return for a score and Tyruss Patterson contributed an interception for a tally to pace the Scourge against the Patriots.
“From what we looked like in our very first scrimmage to now, we’ve really improved and that’s because of the hard work and dedication the entire team put forth,” said McElroy, a former Chaney High School football standout.
“We’ve come to practice ready to learn and it’s just been an overall team effort that has gotten us to this point,” McElroy said. “As an offense, we’re hitting our stride but defensively, they’ve been absolutely outstanding and that has been as big key to our success.”
The Scourge defense has not allowed an opponent score over the last eight consecutive quarters, 11 of the past 12 and 13 of the past 16.
“This is a team that prides itself on its defense and today was just another indication of the type of hard-hitting, in-your-face defense that we play,” defensive back Darnell West said.
“We had six interceptions today and that was big because we put an end to several drives deep in our territory,” West said.
West picked off two Patriots throws, joining Patterson, who also pilfered two Cleveland aerials. Patterson took his second pick 53-yards for the final score.
“In the past we didn’t have much depth but with 52 guys on this year’s roster, we’re a deeper squad that looks out for one another,” Patterson said.
“To clinch a playoff spot after just five games is a testament to the hard work that everyone has put forth.”
The Scourge has allowed just 12 first-half points this season. After racing to a 14-0 halftime advantage Sunday, the opposition has produced goose eggs in four of their five opening halves against Western Reserve.
Thompson got the Scourge on the board at 8:41 of the second quarter with an electrifying 68-yard punt return.
McElroy added a 9-yard dash at 3:17 before intermission for a 14-0 lead.
“I broke free and turned up the sideline,” Thompson said. “Once that happened, I just got behind my blockers and followed them into the end zone.”
Jaymes Williams’ 14-yard run at 10:23 of the third quarter increased the Scourge lead to 21-0.
“This team is like one big family and they play like that as well,” offensive coordinator Bob Gessler said. “I wasn’t around here three years ago when this first started, but with a plethora of running backs and excellent talent on both sides of the ball it’s great to know that today’s win already puts us in the playoffs.
“Tom Noble is our defensive coordinator and we’ve been together for the past dozen years or so,” Gessler said. “We each have a passion for the game but this is all about the players. It’s also something positive for the entire community to enjoy.”
The Scourge defense held Cleveland (2-3) to just 24 yards rushing and 209 total yards.