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Font ResizeThe Rockets took over sole possession of York-Adams Division I with a stunning 50-24 victory over York High on Homecoming Night.
After winning just one game last season, Spring Grove's earned five victories this season and is on the verge of its first title since 2002 when the Rockets shared the crown with New Oxford.
"It's fantastic, I'm as giddy as a little school girl," Spring Grove head coach Russ Stoner following the dazzling display of offense."To put 50 points on any team is amazing. This is my first year being an offensive coordinator. All I do is call the plays."
The players took care of the
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Junior running back Jeff Delaughter rushed for a career high 260 yards and scored three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Matt Runge supplied the balance by passing for 213 yards and three touchdowns, two to Logan Hagerman and one to Austin Nee.
"My goal was to get 234 (rushing yards) so I could break 1,000," Delaughter said. "That (the 260) made my day."
Delaughter and his teammates set the tone by driving for touchdowns on their first two possessions.
"That was amazing," he said. "We just kept going and driving every play. It was the best feeling ever. The line stayed on blocks and allowed us to run all over them and pass all over them."
Spring Grove operated almost exclusively out of a no-huddle offense.
"I knew they (York High) only had 28 kids, so I said let's see if we can get up the field quickly," Stoner said. "I think that hurt them a lot."
The Bearcats absorbed a big blow early when one of their best players, wide receiver and defensive back Derek Wilson went down with an injury and wasn't able to return.
York High head coach Shawn Heinold said Wilson reinjured his collarbone that he first injured two weeks ago.
"I don't know the extent of the injury, but it was bad enough that the pain was so much that he couldn't play," Heinold said. "We're different on both sides of the ball without him. Not to make excuses, but we helped them out at times and we didn't execute well."
The Rockets' execution was almost flawless.
"The kids have confidence," Stoner said. "I think you saw Jeff Delaughter getting stronger in the second half. That (touchdown) run down the sideline, he must have gotten hit by all 11 players. Then you mix Matt Runge in there. The kid has stepped up to the occasion and completed passes."
The Rockets featuring running, passing and the sensational kicking of freshman Andrew Luckenbaugh who brought the crowd to his feet when he nailed a 47-yard field. Luckenbaugh connected on other field goals from 27 and 22 yards and booted five extra points.
York High also provided offensive fireworks.
James Way and Dakeem Dennison hooked up on an 82-yard touchdown pass, Bryshon Sweeney returned a punt 82 yards for a TD, and Kelvin Nieves bolted 46 yards for a touchdown. Nieves racked up 164 rushing yards in the game.
The night, though, belonged to Spring Grove which is aiming to cap the turnaround season with a title.
"We control our destiny," Stoner said. I want to hang that (championship) banner. The kids want to hang that banner."
