Bulldogs Shutout Mechanicville - Win 20-0 in Home Opener

COBLESKILL – Playing on home turf for the first time this season, the Cobleskill-Richmondville Bulldogs put on a triumphant performance for the hometown crowd that wedded offensive prowess with defensive domination in a 20-0 shutout victory over the Mechanicville Red Riders squad last Friday night.

Anchored by an early one-yard rushing touchdown in the First Quarter by Running Back Isaiah Butcher, the Bulldogs (2-0) controlled their destiny until the final whistle blew and they offered the Red Riders (1-1) few if any opportunities to comeback. Mechanicville managed only 100 total offensive yards.

“We prepared for Mechanicville by preparing our O-line for their speed and shifted how we would attack them offensively with pass and run,” said Bulldogs Head Coach Ed Hantho when asked how they prepared for the matchup.

He added, “On defense we switched up our front to stop under-center runs hoping they would revert to shotgun plays and they did which played into our strengths.” The Bulldogs silenced the Red Riders throughout the contest, allowing only thirteen rushing yards over twenty-nine attempts on the ground.

Totaling 295 offensive yards, CR found success both on the ground and in the air. Quarterback Cayden Cemauskas completed twelve of twenty-one passing attempts for one hundred and sixty-six yards and one touchdown, which was a forty-one-yard score caught by Wide Receiver Eli Barr in the Second Quarter.

Butcher added on with a twenty-nine-yard rushing touchdown in the Fourth Quarter; he compiled seventy-four rushing yards for the night. The Bulldogs gained thirteen first downs on offense while the Red Riders were held to seven.

“One key was the recovery of the muffed punt return, followed by a quick touchdown drive,” commented Mr. Hantho on what the key to victory was over Mechanicville. He added, “More importantly, we stopped their under-center offense and they chose to revert to shotgun, which is ideal for our defense.”

“We dominated defensively and wore them down with the pass and run game offensively. Consistent play in all three facets of the game allowed us to be dominated,” concluded Mr. Hantho. The Bulldogs will return to the road with an away game against the Hoosick Falls/Tamarac Wildcats (1-1) at 7:00 PM tonight.