(Spring Cove 28, Westmont 0)
Jr. Dragons Blank Westmont
The Spring Cove Jr. Dragons football team improved their record to 6 – 1 with 28-0 shutout victory over Westmont in their final home game of the year. “Pitching a shutout has been a goal for us all year,” commented coach Kitt. “Our defense has come close several times this year, we just had some (mental and physical) breakdowns which gave our opponent a score.”
The Jr. Dragons kicked off to start the game and gave up two first downs before they forced Westmont to punt. Jordan Saylor returned the punt 28 yards giving the Jr. Dragons their first possession at the Westmont 48 yard line. It only took four plays for the Jr Dragon’s to score with Lucas Runk scoring his first of three touchdowns from 11 yards out. Runk also added the extra point to build the lead to 8 – 0.
Again the Jr. Dragon’s held Westmont to only one first down before forcing Westmont to punt where they pinned the Jr. Dragons inside their own 20 yard line. The Dragon’s move the ball inside of the Hilltopper’s 20 before they fumbled away this opportunity.
The Dragon’s forced Westmont into a three and out, forcing them to punt. On this punt, Jordan Saylor returned 32 yards to the Hilltopper’s 16 yard line. It only took the Jr. Dragon’s one play with Runk scoring again going around left tackle for 16 yard. The extra point was unsuccessful and the Jr. Dragon’s halftime lead was 14 – 0.
Coach Kitt stated, “Between our defense and running game, we have been able to control many of the games that we had this year. The guys up front on both sides of the ball deserve the credit, they battle hard every play.”
Westmont tried an unsuccessful on-side kick to start the half, with the Jr. Dragon’s taking possession at their own 42 yard line. This drive again progressed inside the Westmont 20 yard line before a fumble ended it. The Dragon’s held Westmont to little gain until it forced them to punt again, where the Jr Dragon’s took over possession again at their own 42 yard line. It only took the Spring cove 3 plays and a flagrant facemask pentality to score with Runk going off the right tackle to score. Nate Reid hit Casey Hamilton with the extra point to mark the score at 22 – 0.
Westmont return the following kick to the Dragon’s 16 yard line, this was the only Hilltopper possession to get deep inside of Dragon territory. The Hilltoppers eventually turned the ball over on downs at the Jr. Dragon’s 2 yard line. Spring Cove then went on a 11 play, 98 yard drive concluded with Eric Keefer rushing 6 yards off right tackle. Spring Cove missed the following extra point and finalized the score at 28 – 0.
For the game, Spring Cove rushed for a team total of 302 yards lead by Runk rushing fo 235 yards on 22 carries, Keefer rushing 35 yards on 6 carries and Trent Forshey rushing for 28 yards on 3 carries. Nate Reid only completed one pass (in five attempts) for 7 yards to Forshey.
Spring Cove will take to the road this Thursday for its final game of the season versus Bishop McCort (6-1) at Point Stadium at 4:00 pm. Hope to see you there.
Scoring
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|
1st Quarter
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2nd Quarter
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3rd Quarter
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4th Quarter
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Final
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|
Westmont
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Spring Cove
|
8
|
6
|
8
|
6
|
28
|
Scoring Summary
1Q 5:13 Runk 11 yard run (Runk run) 8 – 0
2Q 6:23 Runk 16 yard run (run failed) 16 – 0
3Q 0:10 Run 21 yard runk (Hamilton pass from Reid) 22 – 0
4Q 1:07 Keefer 7 yard run (run failed) 28 – 0
Player Statistics
Ruching (yds – carries)
Runk, Lucas 234 – 22
Keefer, Eric 35 – 6
Brooks, Dustin 2 – 2
Forshey, Trent 28 – 3
Passing (comp – att – yds – TD – Int)
Reid, Nate 1 – 5 – 7 – 0 – 0
Receiving (Yds – catches)
Forshey, Trent 7 - 1
(Spring Cove 32, Central Cambria 6)
Rushing Attack Leads Way to Jr. Dragon’s to Win
The Spring Cove Jr. High football team improved its record to 5 – 1 on the season behind 321 yards in total team rushing in defeating the Central Cambria Red Devils 32 – 6 last Thursday evening in Ebensburg. Lucas Runk lead the way with 203 yards on 18 carries while Eric Keefer had 50 yards on six carries, Dustin Brooks had 27 yards on six carries and Trent Forshey had 24 yards on two carries.
The Jr. Dragon’s started the night with a six play 80 yard drive capped by a Lucas Runk 13 yard run off right tackle. Runk followed with the two point conversion to give the Jr. Dragon’s an early lead of 8 – 0.
The two teams exchanged a pair of turnover apiece until the Jr. Dragon’s took control of the ball on its own 36 yard line. The Jr. Dragon’s only needed four plays before Runk once again rumbled off a 7 yard run off left tackle. Once again Runk scored on the two point conversion and the lead increased to 16 – 0.
After the Dragon defense held the Red Devils to a three and out defensive stop, the Dragon’s started their possession at midfield. The Jr. Dragon’s need seven plays to score on this drive capped by an Eric Keefer 7 yard run off right tackle. Keefer also caught the two point conversion to make to score 24 – 0.
With under two minutes before half, the Jr. Dragon’s took possession on its own 36 yard line. It took the Jr. Dragon’s six plays capped by a Nate Reid to Jordan Saylor 12 yard reception. Runk ran in the pitch on the two point conversion to mark the halftime score at 32 – 0.
“As a team, we came out very motivated tonight. The weather was extremely cold and I was concerned that it may have an impact on our game (and did with the many turnovers we had tonight). But our players overcame the elements and put together an impressive win,” stated Coach Kitt. “Even though ore running backs also get their names in the paper week after week, our linemen: Tyler Strayer, Luke Barnhart, Mitchell Frederick, Sam Berkheimer, Cody Johnson, Jordan Price, Paul Smith, Cameron Price, Dwight Kensinger, Jason Diehl, Jimmy Mock, Jeremy Colbert, Brandon Smith and Lucas Blattenberger need to given much of the credit for the great work they did tonight. Our defensive line also did a great job, those not included before are Billy Myers, Tyler Showalter, Ryan Sheeder and Kyle Easly deserve credit too.”
The send half started off in a similar manner that it has the past few games, Central Cambria mishandled the kickoff and was recovered by Ben Leberfinger on the Red Devils 38 yard line. This drive ended with a fumble inside the Red Devils 10 yard line. The Jr. Dragons’ were able to manage many significant drives in the second half, but did not score because of turnovers and penalties. Central Cambria was able to mount a late fourth quarter drive going 21 yards in seven plays to finish the game with the score at 32 – 6.
The Jr. Dragons return home for the final home game of the year against Westmont this Thursday at 7:00 pm at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field. Hope to see all of our fans there.
Scoring Summary
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|
1st Quarter
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2nd Quarter
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3rd Quarter
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4th Quarter
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Final
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|
Spring Cove
|
8
|
24
|
0
|
0
|
32
|
|
Central Cambria
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0
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0
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0
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6
|
6
|
Player Scoring
1Q Runk 13 yard Run (Runk Run) 8 – 0
2Q Runk 7 yard Run (Runk Run) 16 – 0
2Q Keefer 7 yard Run (Reid pass to Keefer) 24 – 0
2Q Reid 12 yard pass to Saylor (Runk Run) 32 – 0
4Q Mitchelosky 6 yard run (run failed) 32 – 6
Personal Statistics:
Rushing
Runk, Lucas 208 yds on 18 carries
Keefer, Eric 50 yards on 6 carries
Brooks, Dustin 27 yards on 6 carries
Forshey, Trent 24 yards on 2 carries
Saylor, Jordan 10 yards on 1 carry
Bradford, Jomar 11 yards on 8 carries
Reid, Nate 0 yards on 2 carries
Nothstein, Derek (-4) yards on 1 carry
Passing
Reid 1 – 2 for 12 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int
Receiving
Saylor, Jordan 1 catch for 12 yards
(Spring Cove 22 – Bedford 12)
Jr. Dragon’s Improve to 4 – 1
The Spring Cove Jr. Dragons’ improved their record to 4-1 behind a solid running attack and a stingy defensive effort in defeating the Bedford Bison’s 22 – 12.
The Jr. Dragon’s took the opening kick and drove 43 yards in eight plays capped by a Lucas Runk 10 yard run. The try extra point was unsuccessful and the dragon’s lead 6 – 0.
The Jr. Dragon’s defense held Bedford to only one first down in their opening possession and forced the Bison’s to punt. Bedford was able to mount their only offensive scoring drive during their second possession, aided by a fake punt and one long run. Paul Detwiler eventually scored tying the game at six a piece.
The Jr. Dragon’s immediately responded with a six play scoring drive capped Nate Ried 3 yard pass to Casey Hamilton. The try after was unsuccessful and the Dragon’s had a halftime lead of 12 – 6.
The Jr. Dragon’s first second half possession went 40 yards in eight plays but stalled out inside the Bison’s 5 yard line. But on Bedford’s third play after taking possession, Trent Forshey intercepted a Bison’s pass and returned it to the 11 yard line. But during the play, Bedford was flagged with holding in the endzone, which gave the Jr. Dragon’s a team safety and now they led 14 – 6.
On the ensuing free kick, Casey Hamilton returned the kick to the 22 yard line. It only took the Dragon’s six plays to score again with Dustin Brook finished the drive with a 1 yard run. Runk caught the extra point pass from Nate Reid to up the lead to 22 – 6.
Bedford’s Paul Detwiler returned the following kickoff 68 yards for the Bison’s final score. The try for extra point after was unsuccessful and set the final score at 22 – 12.
“Our defense and running game really picked up the slack for us tonight,” commented Coach Kitt. “Bedford was only able to sustain one offensive drive in the game, and that was partially aided by their fake punt. And our running attack picked up over 200 yards rushing.”
Lucas Runk led all ball carries with 151 yards on 26 carries, Dustin Brooks had 24 yards on 7 carries, Eric Keefer had 18 yards on 5 carries, Trent Forsheyhad 14 yards on three carries. Casey Hamilton led all receivers with 63 yard on 3 catches and Jordan Saylor had a key first down reception for 8 yards and one pass thrown for 47 yards. Nate Reid went 3 for 10 for 24 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Jr. Dragon’s travel to Ebensburg this Thursday evening to play Central Cambria at 7:00 pm. Hope to see all our fans there.
Scoring
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1Q
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2Q
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3Q
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4Q
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Final
|
|
Bedford
|
0
|
6
|
0
|
6
|
12
|
|
Spring Cove
|
6
|
6
|
2
|
8
|
22
|
First Quarter
SC 6:38 Runk 10 yard run (Run Failed) 6 – 0
Second Quarter
B 7:42 Detwiler 2 yard run (Pass FailedP 6 – 6
SC 4:38 Hamilton 3 yard pass from Reid (Pass Failed) 12 – 6
Third Quarter
SC 7:22 Team Safety 14 – 6
Fourth Quarter
SC 9:57 Brooks 1 yard run (Runk pass from Reid) 22 – 6
B 9:42 Detwiler 68 yards kickoff return (Run Failed) 22 – 12
Individual Stats:
Rushing:
L Runk-151 yards on 26 carries
E Keefer-18 yards on 5 carries
D Brooks-24 Yards on 7 carris
T Forshey-14 yards on 3 carries
N Reid-(-3) yards on 3 carries
Receiving:
C Hamilton-63 yards on 3 catches
J Saylor-8yars on 1 catch
Passing:
N Reid-3 fo 10, 24 yards, 1 TD
J Saylor-1 for 1, 47 yards
(Spring Cove 22, Penn Cambria 6)
Jr. Dragon’s Down Penn Cambria 22 – 6
Sometimes a team’s best defense is it offense, which was exactly the case last Thursday afternoon in Cresson. In the middle of a fall rain and wind storm, Penn Cambria decided to open the game by kicking with the wind, and also have the wind at their backs for the first quarter. Little did they know but the would never get their hands on the ball until the second quarter. Trent Forshey returned the opening kick-off 76 yards for a touchdown but was called back because of a block in the back. The Jr. Dragons went 50 yards in 11 plays to score on their opening drive capped by a Lucas Runk 9 yard run. Runk also caught the two-point conversion to make open the scoring at 8 – 0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Penn Cambria fumbled the football and was recovered by Lucas Blattenberger. This drive for the Jr. Dragons ended after six plays on downs but also brought the first quarter to an end.
Penn Cambria’s opening drive ended on their third play with a Casey Hamilton interception and he took the ball back to the Panther’s 28 yard line. The Jr. Dragon’s only took five plays to score on this drive capped by a Dustin Brooks 10 yard run. The extra point failed and the score now was 14 – 0.
The Panther’s next drive only last 5 plays before they were forced to punt with the Jr. Dragon’s taking over on the Panther’s 38 yard line. The fourth drive for the Jr. Dragons was also successful as they score in six plays capped by a Nate Reid to Dustin Brooks 10 yard touchdown reception. Runk ran the two point conversion in to mark the score at 22 – 0 at the half.
“I would like to applaud our defense throwing a shutout in the first half, but when a team only gets eight offensive plays, it should be our offense that gets the credit,” Coach Kitt remarked.
The second half started the way the first half ended with Trent Forshey recovering a short kick to gain possession for the Jr. Dragons. The Panther’s eventually held and forced the dragon’s to punt. Penn Cambria was only able to mount one second half scoring drive which was score by Adam Zaliznode on a one yard run. The teams exchanged possession one more time during regulation play.
Lucas Runk ended the game with 75 yard on 21 carries while Eric Keefer had 13 yards on six carries and Dusting brooks had 10 yards on one carry. Casey Hamilton ended the day with two reception for 42 yard, Dustin Brooks had 10 yards with his one catch. Nate Reid finished his day going four for eight for 55 yards and 1 touchdown.
“We defeated a very good team here today in very bad conditions. We still have many areas to improve in and must get better every week,” commented coach Kitt. The Jr. Dragons will return home this Thursday for their game versus Bedford at 7:00 pm at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field. Hope to all our fans there.
Individual Stats:
Rushing:
Runk 21-75yds 1td
Forshey 2-6yds
Keefer 6-13yds
Brooks 1-10yds
Saylor 1-6yds
Reid 4- (-7)
Passing:
Reid 4-8-55yds 1td
Receiving:
Hamilton 2-42
Runk 1-3
Brooks 1-10 1td
(Forest Hills 41, Spring Cove 6)
Jr. Dragons Fall to Forest Hills
The Spring Cove Jr. High Football team played its first home football game of the year Thursday Night under the lights at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field. The Jr. Dragons came into the game unbeaten at at 2-0 but were going up against another unbeaten in perinneal power Forest Hills.
The Jr. Dragons appeared to get the early lead on their first offensive possession when Nate Reid hit Lucas Runk on a screen pass that went 64 yards for an apparent touch down. But off setting penalties on the play forced a replay of the down and wiped out the big play for the dragons. “ Having that touchdown called back really hurt us.” Said coach Kitt. “That early score would have gave us a lot of momentum.”
It was all down hill after that for the scarlet dragons as the Rangers rolled to a 41-8 victory. “You have to give a lot of credit to Forest Hills. They are a real good football team,” said coach Kitt. The Jr. Dragons only score came in the second half when Nate Reid hit Jordan Saylor for a 34 yard touchdown reception.
As a team, the Jr. Dragons combined for only 23 yards rushing while Nate Reid went 7 for 13 passing for 102 yards. Jordan Saylor led all receiver with two catches for 43 yards, Casey Hamilton had two catches for 28 yards and Josten Hardy had two catches for 17 yards and Adam Ingram had the other catch for 14 yards.
The Jr. Dragons fell to 2-1 on the season and the Rangers improved to 3-0. The Dragons will travel to Cresson to take on Penn Cambria this Thursday at 4:00pm
(Spring Cove 28, Cambria Heights 6)
Air Attack, Stingy Defense Leads Jr. Dragon’s to Victory
Nate Reid threw for 172 yards and three touchdown passes, while the defense only allowed one second half score as the Jr. Dragons toppled the Highlanders of Cambria Heights 28 – 6 last Thursday night at Patton field.
“They came out in a defense trying to stop our running attack,” Coach Kitt stated. “They were fairly successful in the first half, but really open things up for our passing game.”
On the first play of the first possession, Reid hit Casey Hamilton down the sideline with a 36 yard reception. After gaining two first downs on six running plays, Reid once again hit Hamilton for a 25 yard touchdown reception. The point after was unsuccessful and the Dragon’s lead 6 – 0.
The Highlander’s gained one first down on their opening possession before they were forced to punt, but because of a bad snap the Dragon’s took over in Cambria Height’s territory. The Dragon’s only needed three plays before Reid once again hit Hamilton for a 26 yard touchdown reception. Reid’s pass for conversion cam up short, and the Jr. Dragon’s had a 13 – 0 score.
The next Highland possession once again ended with a forth down punting situation, this time Cambria Height’s tried a fake punt but was snuffed out with a great defensive play by Jordan Price.
The Highlander’s best and farthest offensive possession came midway through the second quarter, but ended with consecutive sacks by Jordan Saylor and Jordan Price on third and forth down. “Even though we had the lead, that was the turning point in the game. If they go in and score, we are in a dogfight the rest of the way. But we held and scored again to really put the game away,” Kitt claims. It only took the Dragon’s four plays to score again when Reid hit Jordan Saylor for a 14 yard touchdown strike. Lucas Runk ran the extra point in to give the Jr. Dragon’s a 20 – 0 halftime lead.
The Highlander’s took their opening second half possession and finally scored with a QB sneak on fourth down from the one yard line. It took the Dragon’s exactly one play on the following possession to score when Lucas Runk rumbled 59 yards for the Dragon’s final score. Runk caught the conversion form Reid for the point after to mark the final score at 28 – 6.
Runk finished the game with 104 yards on 12 carries and 69 yards on two receptions. Jomar Bradford had 12 yard rushing and Ben Leberfinger had 11 yards rushing. Hamilton finished the night with 85 yards on three receptions.
“This game again gave us plenty of opportunity to many players in the game like last week. We still have many areas where we need to improve,” commented Coach Kitt.
The Jr. Dragon’s will play again this Thursday, September 21 in their home opener against Forest Hills at 7:00 pm. Hope to everyone there.
Points by Quarters
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|
1st quarter
|
2nd Quarter
|
3rd Quarter
|
4th Quarter
|
Final
|
|
Spring Cove
|
6
|
14
|
8
|
0
|
28
|
|
Cambria Heights
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
0
|
6
|
Scoring
SC 1Q 2:32 Hamilton 25 yd pass from Reid (run failed)
SC 2Q 6:00 Hamilton 26 yd pass from Reid (pass failed)
SC 2Q 0:27 Saylor 14 yd pass from Reid (Runk pass from Reid)
CH 3Q 2:12 QB 1 yd run (run failed)
SC 3Q 2:00 Runk 59 yd run (Runk pass from Reid)
Individual Stats:
Rushing (yds - carries)
Runk 104 - 12
Bradford 12 – 3
Leberfinger 11 - 1
Brooks 5 - 2
Forshey 4 - 2
Reid (-1) - 5
Receiving (yds - carries)
Hamilton 85 - 3
Runk 69 - 2
Saylor 14 - 1
Brooks 4 - 1
Passing (Comp - Att - yds - TD - INT)
Reid 7 - 10 - 172 - 3 - 1
(Spring Cove 22, Richland 12)
Jr. Dragons Win Opener Over Richland
The Spring Cove Jr. Dragons traveled to Richland last Thursday and returned with a hard fought 22 – 12 victory. Spring Cove took their opening drive 57 yards in four plays capped by a Lucas Runk 17 yard touchdown run. The run for extra point failed and the Dragon’s led 6 – 0. The Jr. Dragons defense controlled Richland on its opening possession to sustain their lead. The Jr. Dragon’s second possession was much like their first, going 63 yards in 6 plays capped by a Nate Reid to Casey Hamilton 32 yard touchdown reception. The Jr. Dragon converted the two point try with a Reid to Runk pass play to take a 14 – 0 lead. Just before the half, Richland was able to score to cut the lead 14 – 6. Richland then took their initial second half possession and went 64 yards on 9 plays to set the score at 14 – 12. On a later third quarter Richland drive, Jordan Saylor made a key interception that stopped what could have been a go-ahead scoring drive with the Jr. Dargons taking possession on its own 18 yard-line. Two plays later, Runk took the option pitch from Reid and went 80 yards for the touchdown. Reid then found Leberfinger open in the endzone to complete the two point conversion and set the final score at 22 – 12. Richland had one more sustainable drive in the fourth quarter, but Trent Forshey caused a fumble by the Ram’s quarterback which was recovered by Ben Leberfinger. The Jr. Dragons were then able to run out the clock and seal the win.
“We played a very good football here team today and feel very fortionate to come out with a victory,” stated Coach Kitt. “We got to play a lot of players, some because of injuries, and felt that everyone made a contribution. Also our line did a great job on both sides of the football, which is where much of the credit should go. Anytime you rush for 276 yards, your O-Line did a great job.”
The Jr. Dragons had a total of 276 yard rushing led by Lucas Runk finished his day with 203 yards on 17 carries, Eric Keefer had 24 yards on five carries and Dustin Brooks had 37 yards on 9 carries. Nate Reid completed three of four passes for 55 yards and two 2-point conversions with Casey Hamilton leading all receivers with one catch for 32 yards.
“Defensivly we did a great job coming up with key stops when we needed them. Coach Albright does a great job with our defense they were well prepared and we were able to make some game time adjustments that were key to stopping their running game.” Coach Kitt concluded.
The Jr. Dragon’s go on the road again next week to Patton to face Cambria Heights. Good Luck Jr. Dragons.
Scoring by Quarters:
|
Teams
|
1Q
|
2Q
|
3Q
|
4Q
|
Final
|
|
Spring Cove
|
14
|
0
|
8
|
0
|
22
|
|
Richland
|
0
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
12
|
SC 7:41 (1Q) Runk 17 yad run (run failed) 6 – 0
SC 3:11 (1Q) Hamilton 32 yd pass from Reid (Runk pass from Reid) 14 – 0
R 7:50 (2Q) Ruzich 2 yd run (pass failed) 14 – 6
R 8:38 (3Q) Ruzich 6 yd run (pass failed) 14 – 12
SC 1:47 (3Q) Runk 80 yd run (Leberfinger pass from Reid) 22 – 12
Individual Stats:
Rushing (yds – carries)
Lucas Runk 203-17
Eric Keefer 24 – 5
Dustin Brooks 37 – 9
Nate Reid 12 – 3
Passing (comp – attempt – yds – TD – INT)
Nate Reid 3 – 4 – 55 – 1 – 0
Receiving (yds – catches)
Casey Hamilton 32 – 1
Dustin Brooks 18 – 1
Trent Forshey 5 – 1
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