Defense, running game propel Kutztown to its first win
2024 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Michael Pollis — LNP/Lancasteronline
COLUMBIA — Kutztown used a strong defensive effort and a steady running game to dominate Columbia 42-17 in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 matchup for its first win of the season.
The Crimson Tide dropped to 0-9.
On his team’s first possession, Columbia quarterback Cameron McClair heaved a desperation pass as he found himself in the grasp of a defensive lineman and being pulled to the ground.
The pass ended up in the hands of Kutztown defensive back Jayden Swoyer, setting up the Cougars (1-5, 1-8) with a first down at midfield.
Following the interception, Kutztown marched down the field with runs of 17 and 28 yards by Brenden Ackley to set up Ian Bahr’s 1-yard scoring plunge.
Later in the half Ryan Walters darted through the line of scrimmage, zipped around the left side, eluded two defenders and scored on a 38-yard run.
Ackley scored from 6 yards out late in the first half to give Kutztown a 21-0 lead.
Kutztown opened up the second half using a series of running plays to move down the field in two-and-a-half minutes, culminating with a 2-yard touchdown run by Colten Mathias to virtually seal the game at 28-3.
The Cougars amassed 21 first downs as they marched up and down the field behind the hard running of a bevy of backs who gained 447 yards on 48 carries.
McClair kicked a 32-yard field goal late in the first half to cut Kutztown’s lead to 21-3.
Columbia’s Julien Baez took a reverse handoff, darted around the right side and outraced the entire Kutztown defense for a 63-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
McClair scored on a 21-yard touchdown scamper to cut the Tide’s deficit to 42-17 in the fourth quarter.
Columbia recovered an onside kick with eight minutes remaining but could not put together a scoring drive.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Kutztown | 14 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Columbia | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Kutztown | Bahr, 1 run (Moriarty kick) | |
| 1 | Kutztown | Walters, 38 run (Moriarty kick) | |
| 2 | Kutztown | Ackley, 6 run (Moriarty kick) | |
| 2 | Columbia | McClair, 32 FG | |
| 3 | Kutztown | Mathias, 2 run (Moriarty kick) | |
| 3 | Kutztown | Ackley, 15 run (Moriarty kick) | |
| 4 | Columbia | Baez, 63 run (Rupp pass from McClair) | |
| 4 | Kutztown | Sherry, 7 run (Moriarty kick) |
Team statistics
| Kutztown | Columbia | |
| First downs | 21 | 10 |
| Rushes-yards | 48-447 | 27-158 |
| Passing yards | 65 | 106 |
| Total yards | 512 | 264 |
| Passes | 2-8-0 | 6-22-1 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Punts-average | 1-24 | 3-37 |
| Penalties-yards | 8-85 | 5-55 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Kutztown: Ackley 16-173, Sherry 7-81, Walters 5-78, Swoyer 7-69, Bahr 5-32, Mathias 5-16, Stoess 2-0, Fitzsimmons 1-(-2).
Columbia: Baez 1-63, McClair 18-45, Rupp 4-33, Brommer 4-17.
PASSING
Kutztown: Stoess 2-8-0–65.
Columbia: McClair 6-22-1–106.
RECEIVING
Kutztown: Walters 1-40, Ackley 1-25.
Columbia: Ocasio 4-84, Aviles 2-22.
INTERCEPTIONS
Kutztown: Swoyer.
