Rutherford (2-0) vs. Paul Laurence Dunbar (3-0) September 15, 2000

The Rutherford Rams, a 5A powerhouse residing in Panama City, Florida, should pose quite a challenge for the high-flying Dunbar squad tonight. Rutherford has defeated Torrey Pines California (27-0) and Tuscaloosa, Alabama (44-15) to start their season. Tim Pope, a 6-3 225 LB, and 6-3 275 lineman Rod Olds are being recruited by several Division I schools including Florida and Florida state.

Coach Steve Hardin's Ram offense has been led by So. Jean Bradshaw with 340 yards rushing in two games and the coach's son Matt Hardin who has thrown for 225 yards and three touchdowns.  Dunbar Coach Mike Meighan has the luxury of a top QB in Chip Franklin. Franklin has passed for 649 yards with 9 touchdowns in three games. TB Corey Dunn has led the ground game with 319 yards on 52 carries with 5 TDs. 6-3 240 LB Jacob Koch, who has tallied 357 tackles in 38 varsity games, leads the Bulldog defense.

Rutherford started only five seniors tonight but you could hardly call this a rebuilding effort as they beat a good Dunbar squad 32-15. The Rams used a powerful running game to control the ball and their defense took advantage of Dunbar mistakes to keep them out of the endzone. Derek Talbert exploded for a school record 100 yard kickoff return to pull Dunbar within one point 10-9 to start the second half, but Dunbar's attempt for a two point conversion failed. Rutherford immediately regained momentum on the next series as Matt Hardin hit Danny Thomas with a 76 yard scoring strike and Rutherford was never threatened after that point

Jean Bradshaw, a very quick So. TB, led Rutherford with 140 rushing yards. David Atwell, a 250 pound FB and 220 pound Devin Collier chipped in with 61 and 51 rushing yards respectively. Matt Hardin was 7 of 16 for 150 yards and two TD passes. WR Danny Thomas caught 4 passes for 121 yards and one score. 6-3 275 Sr. Rod Olds was hobbled by an ankle injury but was still a force on both sides of the ball. Dunbar's Chip Franklin was 13 of 29 for 110 yards and had two passes intercepted. This game ended Chip Franklin's 15 game streak of throwing at least one touchdown pass.

While this was a tough game for Dunbar, and they face Ft. Thomas Highlands next weekend, they should rebound and have a very good season. A special thanks to Dunbar's Stats and Media Relations -- C.R. Logan; if it exists and can be printed he will make it available.

Scoring Summary

Rutherford (FL)   32         Paul Dunbar    15
 

School	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Rutherford (FL)	7	3	16	6	32
Paul Laurence Dunbar	0	3	6	6	15

R   Matt Hardin 9 yard run (Chris Strappel kick)
PD Mike Gavenonis kicks 35 yard field goal
R   Strappel kicks 33 yard field goal
PD Derek Talbert 100 yard kickoff return (run fails)
R   Hardin 76 yard pass to Danny Thomas (kick fails)
R   Strappel kicks 32 yard field goal
R   Jean Bradshaw 13 yard run (Strappel kick)
R   Hardin 4 yard pass to Derrick Patterson (kick fails)
PD Chip Franklin 9 yard run (kick fails)
 

Selected Statistics   (unofficial)
 

Rutherford						Paul  Dunbar
Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long		Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long
Jean Bradshaw	19	140	7.4	43		Chip Franklin	8	64	8.0	26
David Atwell	9	61	6.8	19		Corey Dunn	14	62	4.4	9
Devin Collier	5	51	10.2	25		Derek Talbert	2	-2	-1.0	-
Matt Hardin	8	22	2.8	9		Aaron Mason	2	5	2.5	7
Passing	A-C-I	Yds	TD	Long		Passing	A-C-I	Yds	TD	Long
Matt Hardin	16-7-1	150	2	76		Chip Franklin	29-13-2	110	0	29
Receiving	No.	Yds	TD	Long		Receiving	No.	Yds	TD	Long
Danny Thomas	4	121	1	76		Derek Talbert	2	38	0	29
Derrick Patterson	3	21	1	9		Jon Ford	2	25	0	13
						Nathan Jones	2	21	0	13
						Tim Jenks	2	15	0	13
						Corey Dunn	1	8	0	8
						David Burdette	1	5	0	5

 
 

Other Area Games of Interest
 
 

Bryan Station

34

Campbell County

6

Eric Shelton returned to action for Bryan Station with 123 yards on 21 carries and two scores.
 

Lexington Catholic

51

Henry County

13

QB Jacob Doss threw for 102 yards and two touchdowns. WR Clay Wolford was on the receiving end of both TD passes for Lexington Catholic.
 

Lafayette

27

North Laurel

7

Jason Rothermund connected with Fr. receiver Spencer Fain for three TD passes to give coach Don Smith his first victory as the head man at Lafayette.
 

Henry Clay

28

Ryle

10

So RB Demetric Blackburn carried the pigskin 13 times for 285 yards and long distance touchdown runs of 80, 74, and 71 yards to lead Henry Clay.
 

Boyle County	57	Owen County	0
St Xavier	31	Manual	0
Harrison County	51	Montgomery County	0
Harrodsburg	34	Wayne County	21
Clark County	54	Clay County	33
Paris	42	Dayton (OH)	12
Berea	61	Powell County	8
Simon Kenton	16	Scott County	14
Danville	39	Woodford County	0
Somerset	41	Russell County	27
Mercer County	35	West Jessamine	21