Montesano routs Rochester, 63-7

Coverage of Sept. 23 contest

By Justin Damasiewicz • September 29, 2016 1:30 am
Photo by Justin Damasiewicz Montesano quarterback Trevor Ridgway throws a pass during a non-league game against Rochester on Friday night at Rottle Field.
Photo by Justin Damasiewicz Montesano quarterback Trevor Ridgway throws a pass during a non-league game against Rochester on Friday night at Rottle Field.

By Justin Damasiewicz

For The Vidette

Montesano needed just one play from scrimmage to give its fans something to cheer about last night, and less than one quarter to all-but-solidify the outcome of the game.

Trevor Ridgway connected with Carson Klinger for a 70-yard touchdown on the Bulldogs’ first offensive play to help spur Montesano to a 63-7 win over Rochester in a non-league football game on Friday (Sept. 23) at Rottle Field.

Klinger found the end zone again on the first play of Bulldogs’ next possession. After a Warriors’ three-and-out, Klinger darted through a massive hole up the middle for a 64-yard touchdown run.

Two rushing touchdowns by Dakyota Reninger — 2 and 47 yards — and a 1-yard plunge by Nathan Olson pushed Montesano’s lead to 35-0 less than seven minutes into the contest. A 28-yard touchdown pass from Ridgway to Tyler Reninger put Montesano up by six touchdowns with 3:30 left in the first quarter.

During Rochester’s first five offensive possessions, Montesano’s defense forced three three-and outs and recovered two Warriors fumbles.

“We were just hitting on all cylinders tonight,” Montesano head coach Terry Jensen said. “I think everyone was excited to be home and play on our field and we came out with a lot of excitement. The kids were ready. You get 42 points in the first quarter with lots of time left, that’s amazing. Great job by our defense getting turnovers, and on offense our first group couldn’t be stopped. We’ve made some huge improvements on special teams, too. I’m very happy with how the kids played.”

Klinger scampered into the end zone from 4 yards out on the first play of the second quarter for his third score of the game. Olsen added a touchdown on a 3-yard run early in the second frame to push Montesano’s lead to 56-0.

The Bulldogs racked up 370 yards of offense in the first half, while holding the Warriors to (minus)-26 yards.

Jensen praised offensive linemen Ben Lopez, Taylor Rupe, Cole Bradbury, Hayden Klinger and Jared Wallace and tight end Tyler Reninger for their performance in the contest.

“Our offensive line is kind of the unsung heroes for us right now,” Jensen added. “They have played really well all season long, consistently. When you’re playing in the trenches like that, you don’t get a lot of the publicity or credit, but they have opened some huge holes for us.”

Montesano will host Forks tomorrow in its Evergreen 1A League opener.