On a rainy night at Millersville University, the Golden Rams men’s football team continued its perfect season, pulverizing the Millersville Marauders with a final score of 48-3.
West Chester, currently ranked No. 20 in Division 2 football, is now 3-0 on the season. In the first two games of the season, the Golden Rams put on dominant performances against the likes of the University of New Haven and Gannon University. Their outing against Millersville was no different.
Quarterback Sean McCartney had another efficient game, going 9-of-13 for 168 yards and two touchdowns as well. McCartney has looked sharp week in and week out to start off the season, and this game was no exception. Hitting his receivers in stride, McCartney continues to display the skills of a quarterback who could lead his team deep into the playoffs.
Rushing the ball was the best part of the Golden Ram’s day against Millersville, with Rondell White and his backup, Brandon Monk, combining for five scores on the night.
White, who has been unstoppable so far this season, had another outstanding game against the Marauders, finishing the day with 227 yards and three touchdowns off of 34 attempts. It was White’s second week in a row rushing for over 200 yards, a statistic that proves of just how important he is to this team’s success.
However, often overlooked backup running back Brandon Monk had a great day running the ball as well. Having his best day of the season thus far, Monk ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns off of just 15 attempts. Even more impressive was Monk’s longest run of the day: a 93-yard run that is the third-longest run in West Chester’s history, and the 12th longest run in PSAC history.
Though he might be behind White on the depth chart, make no mistake about it: when Monk has the ball in his hands, he often capitalizes on the opportunity. Displaying lightning-quick agility and great vision of the field ahead of him, Monk is a great change-of-pace back for when White comes off the field. The two of them together make for a great tandem that will be hard for any defense to contain this season.
The offensive line also deserves a tremendous amount of praise for their role the past three games in West Chester’s wins. Though they might not be the flashiest players on the team, McCartney, White and company couldn’t get as many yards and touchdowns as they do without their offensive line. Senior tackles Justin Bathurst and Adam Citko have protected McCartney extremly well, while guards Trey Farmer and James Colivas, along with center Derek Schatz, have created many running lanes for White to get through with ease.
Elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball, Golden Ram’s wide reciever Tim Brown had a solid day, catching three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Adam Dempsey, also a wide receiver, caught McCartney’s other touchdown pass, finishing with two catches for 19 yards as well.
Erik Brundidge had two catches for 17 yards, and Tim Keyser had one catch that went for 40 yards. White, always a threat in the passing game as well, had one catch that went for three yards.
The wide receivers of West Chester have been extremely crucial to the offense through these three games, moving the chains and getting first downs time and time again. With McCartney firing on all cylinders, this receiving core should continue to put up big numbers, in addition to wreaking havoc on opposing defenses.
Speaking of defenses, West Chester’s defense didn’t let Millersville get a single touchdown. With Millersville only able to connect with one field goal, the Golden Rams put on a show on the defensive side of the ball.
Leading the team in tackles this week was linebacker Mike Labor with seven (three solo, four assisted), who also had half a sack and a forced fumble. Labor, one of the leaders of this defense, has been a great cog in the defensive system, consistently flying to the ball before any big play can happen. Labor should continue to thrive in West Chester’s defense.
Fellow linebacker Ronnell Williams only had two tackles on the day, but made the most out of it by making one of those count for a sack, resulting in a loss of eight yards. Defensive linemen Brian Butler also had two tackles and a sack on the day, making his count for a loss of ten yards.
For the defensive backs, Blaise Schieler led the backs in tackles yet again, gaining six total (four solo, two assisted). John McGilligan, a freshman for West Chester’s defense, had his first interception of his young career, as well as three tackles. Al-Hajj Shabazz had three tackles on the day as well.
Other key players for West Chester’s defense included linemen Eric Edwers, who had five tackles total (two solo, three assisted) and half a sack that went for a loss of eight yards. Shawn Krautzel chipped in with three tackles (all assisted), and Byron Cooper had three tackles as well (all solo).
The Ram’s defense, after letting up 41 points last week, bounced back extremely well against Millersville, showing what this defense is made of. With a group of well-rounded players that seem motivated to win it all this season, West Chester’s defense will be hard to get by as opposing offences look to points up against the Golden Ram’s. As Millersville proved this week, it’s easier said than done.
West Chester’s next game will be at home on Sept. 28th, also Family Night, against Kutztown University. Kutztown has yet to win a game this season, and when they travel to John A. Farrell Stadium, the Golden Bears will have a tough time taking on the always-improving Golden Rams. Expect another solid outing from the home team, as they put on a show for the families of West Chester University.
Oliver Suskin-Santarelli is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at OS753461@wcupa.edu.