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"I think he's a really complete football player," McDaniels said. "He has power, he has speed, he has some elusiveness, he's an excellent receiver, he's a very willing blocker and he's a very coachable kid. [He's] easily in the top five running backs I've ever coached and probably the second best running back I've ever coached."
<b><big>Harding rolls in opener</big></b>
By MIKE McLAIN Tribune Chronicle
WARREN — As far as getting a good test on the first week of the season, it wasn’t like taking a final examination without studying.
Cleveland JFK made it easy for Warren G. Harding Friday night at Mollenkopf Stadium. While JFK wasn’t able to click in any phase, Harding played with cool efficiency in rolling to a 56-6 win.
The lopsided score doesn’t fully tell the story of the Raiders’ dominance. Had the coaches not decided to reduce the third and fourth quarters to 8 minutes each, the final numbers would have been more in Harding’s favor. It also would have been worse had Harding coach Thom McDaniels not emptied his bench in the second half.
‘‘We got what we were after, and that was a win,’’ McDaniels said. ‘‘I’m certain that JFK didn’t bring a team here that was as good as it was a year ago. I thought we maintained our intensity despite the fact it was a one-sided affair.
‘‘We threw and caught the ball well. I wish we would have run the ball a little more consistently. We played tons of people. There were a lot of good things to come from this.’’
Quarterbacks Luke George and Avery Qualls both played well in alternating series. George completed 3-of-4 passes for 78 yards, with each completion resulting in a touchdown. Qualls completed all three of his passes for 41 yards and one touchdown.
McDaniels plans to continue giving both players time at quarterback. Eventually one could be considered the primary player at the spot.
‘‘As long as both guys are making major contributions it’s only fair to play both guys,’’ McDaniels said. ‘‘We’ll keep an eye on that and let it play itself out.’’
The lack of production on the ground might be a cause for concern when the schedule toughens beginning Saturday against Cleveland Glenville. The Raiders were limited to 94 yards on 26 carries. Senior Dan Herron, who has committed to Ohio State, had 14 yards on nine carries.
McDaniels was able to find a positive out of the Raiders’ inability to produce a touchdown after Chris Rucker’s interception gave them possession at the Eagles’ 17 early in the first quarter. Kicker James Teagarden, playing in his first football game, made a 32-yard field goal.
‘‘It’s nice to know that we’re good enough in the kicking game that we’re going to come away with something,’’ McDaniels said. ‘‘That’s the first kick that kid has ever attempted in a football game.’’
In addition to his interception, Rucker scored on passes of 9 and 14 yards from George in the first half as the Raiders took a 47-0 lead. Also scoring touchdowns in the opening half were Herron on a 55-yard screen pass from George, Tyon Flowers on a 17-yard run and Antoine Rucker on a 23-yard pass from Qualls and a 20-yard pass from Matt Straniak.
Harding added two points on a safety when Straniak sacked quarterback Deion Mallory in the end zone.
‘‘I didn’t think it would be this big of a score, but I knew we would come out and do our best,’’ Chris Rucker said. ‘‘We have to play hard every down no matter who we’re playing and respect the opponent.’’
The halftime rest didn’t slow down the Raiders. Sidney Glover scooped up the second-half kick off at the 20-yard line and dashed 80 yards for a touchdown. Teagarden, who was successful on all of his seven point-after attempts, made it 54-0.
JFK’s woes continued after failing to gain a first down on its next possession. A high snap out of punt formation flew over the punter’s head and out of the end zone for a safety.
The Eagles avoided a shutout when Phillip Zebbs scored on a 2-yard run with 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Harding had a 233-3 advantage in total yards. The Eagles had only one first down and were held to minus-15 yards of offense at halftime.
The win provided a good stepping stone to hosting perennial Division I state power Glenville.
‘‘It’s a confidence-booster for us,’’ Chris Rucker said. ‘‘We’re ready to go next week.’’
Published: Saturday, September 23, 2006
Dan Herron leads Warren Harding to 45-6 rout of Woodrow Wilson
The Raiders standout rushed for 158 yards and scored three touchdowns.
WARREN ? Warren Harding High's potent offense accumulated 251 rushing and 132 passing yards, as the Raiders defeated Woodrow Wilson, 45-6, at Mollenkopf Stadium Friday night.
Dan Herron of the Raiders (3-2) rushed for 158 yards on 16 attempts, which included TD runs of 51, 2 and 25 yards.
Joe Threats of the Raiders scored on runs of 4 and 62 yards.
Marquel Smith paced Wilson (0-5) with 109 yards on 14 attempts and he scored on a 41?yard run.