Check out the recap for Springfield Township’s big win over Harriton. (Photos provided courtesy of Shannon Dice/Springfield Township Football)
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 41, HARRITON 7
Two games does not a season makes, but Dylan McKenzie has had himself quite a start to his final high school season.
On the heels of scoring three touchdowns in Springfield Township’s 45-6 win over Lower Moreland, the senior running back added three more in the Spartans’ non-league win over the Rams.
Final stats were not available, but coach Chris Shelly’s best guess is that McKenzie could wel
l have surpassed the 200-yard mark.
“Dylan is in a wing-t scheme now,” Shelly said. “We’re more smash mouth, and he has just taken it upon himself to run between tackles. I keep saying to people – he’s a hidden gem. To me, he’s a next level college football player.
“I don’t think people are paying enough attention to him. I think he’s one of the best players in the state, quite honestly. He’s selfless, and we have a great senior line in front of him. We’re just getting it done however we need to get it done. We’re real satisfied with how he’s running the ball and becoming a leader for us.”
The Spartans scored on their opening drive when quarterback Matteo Ringgold punched it in from a yard out for an early 7-0 lead. Then it was McKenzie beginning a productive night with a 22-yard touchdown run, propelling the Spartans to a 14-0 lead after one quarter.
“We really set the tone in the first quarter,” Shelly said.
McKenzie had a pair of second-quarter touchdowns – his first from 54 yards out and the second on a 10-yard run to put the Spartans on top 28-0. Ringgold found Max Sanchez with a 10-yard touchdown pass, sending the Spartans – who missed the PAT – into halftime with a 34-0 lead.
In the third quarter, Sanchez closed out the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run. Harriton broke up the Spartans’ shutout bid with a late touchdown.
“We challenged them this year because last year we were more of a spread offense,” Shelly said. “We had a really good passing quarterback. We’re developing Matteo as a dual threat type of kid.”
Shelly had high praise for his offensive line comprised of seniors Will Shapley, a senior captain who is a three-year starter and plays both ways, Colby Sabin (3-yard starter/guard), James Kendrick (3-year starter/guard) and Cole Rumer (center/first-year starter).
“We challenged him to step up, and he has,” Shelly said of Rumer.
Also blocking up front are senior tight end Ian O’Malley and junior quick tackle Frankly Wilman.
“It’s senior laden,” Shelly said of his O line. “Those guys in the first two games have been leading us. They’ve been tremendous.
“Everyone wants to focus on Dylan, but we have other kids too. We’re running the ball really well, and Matteo has really been running the offense. We’re happy, but we know what’s ahead of us. We have some challenges.”
Springfield Township (2-0) will host Hatboro-Horsham on Friday in a non-league game.
Harriton 0-0-0-7 7
Springfield Twp 14-20-7-0 41
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