The Buckeyes traveled to Crooksville(0-4) Friday to take on the Ceramics and used a stout defensive effort to blank their opponent, 22-0.
After taking an 8-0 lead into the break. NYHS coach Dave Boston and his crew made the adjustments necessary and scored 14 unanswered points.
Nelsonville-York (3-1) had its defese in rare form in the second half and its offese was stingy with the ball as Crooksville ran just 13 plays and totaled only 10 yards in the third and forth quarters.
Jay Edwards sparked the offense, gaining 144 yards on the ground, 108 of which came in the fourth quarter when he moved to tailback after Bear Lewis left with cramps in his leg. Edwards also returned punts well and was in on multiple tackles from different positions on defense.
Defense was the key for both teams in the first quarter as, on respective first drives, each offese was forced to a three-and-out. Crooksville garnered two first-down on its second try but ultimately was forced to punt as well. NY took over at the 40 but was made to a 3-and -out once more. Keeping with the trend, the Buckeyes made the Ceramics punt again, Thanks in part to a huge sack on QB Aaron Adams by Trevor Polley, And took over with less than 2 minutes remaining in the first quarter at the 37 yard line.
The Buckeyes got their first first-down of the game on a broken passplay that Jay Edwards turned into a 17-yard gain, starting Nelsonville-York 47 yards away from the goal at the start of the second frame. On second and 8 from the 36, Zack Talbert broke a run down inside the 10 yard line but had the ball stripped and Chris Gleason came away from the pack with it.
Unfortunately for the Ceramics, Brandon Williams was also made to fumble and the Buckeyes recovered at the 10. Inexplicably, anothe fumble occured as Nelsonville-York turned the ball over again on its first play up the middle. Bear Lewis then decided enough was enough and promptly sacked Adams in the endzone for a safety and a 2-0 NY lead with 8:39 left in the half.
After the 2 pointer NY recieved the kickoff but had to punt after not being able to move against the Ceramic Defense. However, on the kick, Justin Pease called for a fair catch but was unable to pick up the loose ball. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Crooksville added to the pain and 2 plays later, Edwards was rushing 11 yards for a touchdown, spinning for paydirt and an 8-0 lead going into halftime.
The Bucks chewed up over 4 minutes at the start of the second half thanks in part to Bear Lewis running for 63 yards on his own and finishing the drive with a 2 yard plunge for the score and a 14-0 lead. Edwards ran for the 2 point conversion for the 16-0 advantage.
Crooksville started the 4th with a third and ten at the 43 but shortly thereafter, Patrick Norway intercepted a pass and took it to the 21. Edwards, playing tailback, then used the turbo button to burst for a 79 yard touchdown run and a 22-0 advantage.
Edwards led the Bucks with 144 yards and Lewis added 93. NY collected 321 yards of offense and held Crooksville to 67 total yards.