Patriots bury Gold Diggers in football season kickoff

The Upton-Sundance Patriots kicked off the 2020 season honoring their eleven seniors on the team with a senior night. Not knowing how long the season will be, many teams are choosing to hold their senior night early in the year to ensure these seniors get the recognition they deserve for the hard work and dedication put in during their high school career. 

After a short introduction of the seniors, the US Patriots took the field to face off against the Lead-Deadwood Gold Diggers.

Opening the game on defense, the Patriots were up against a spread formation. Whether attacking through the air or on the ground, the Gold Diggers offense was unable to break through the Patriot defense and went three and out on their first possession.

As the US Patriots took over on offense, they were able to gain big yardage on the first down through a 35-yard run by Landon Martin. Starting the second play on the 14-yard line, the Patriot offense had three short runs and were faced a fourth down.

Unfortunately, a fumbled snap but quick recovery by Brad Kruger, turned the ball over for the Patriots on the Digger six-yard line. The Diggers took over deep in their own territory but things were not looking good.

A fumbled snap on second down brought them to a third and long. As incomplete pass ensued and the Gold Diggers were forced to punt from within the end-zone. 

Another short punt allowed the Patriot offense to set up on the 24-yard line, knocking on the Golddigger’s door midway through the first quarter. Handing the ball off to Landon Martin once again, the Patriot offense was the first into the endzone for the season putting them up 6-0.

While Lead-Deadwood was down on the scoreboard, they were not out of the game that easy. Quarterback Rock Rainy got the Digger offense moving on their next possession, finding his favorite target of the night Mekieh Hon for 17 yards and a first down.

As the Diggers looked for a quarterback draw on the next play, Patriot Wyatt Gillespie was there to hand Rainey a one-yard loss. Third down for the Gold Diggers looked like it would allow for some positive yardage, but a holding penalty brought them back into a third and long situation.

Caught between a rock and a hard spot, the Diggers set up their next play only to have it end with Patriot Jess Claycomb coming in hot on a blitz and sacking quarterback Rock Rainy for a loss, forcing another punt for the Lead-Deadwood Golddiggers. As the first quarter drew to a close, the Patriots took over with good field position yet again but a fumble on second down would end the quarter and turn the ball back over to the Diggers.

Penalties seemed to be the downfall of Lead-Deadwood, as they were unable to make any headway to start the second quarter. A blocked kick by Gillespie gave the Patriots the ball back with a first and goal on the nine-yard line. This drive was down to the wire. The Patriot offense was up against a fourth and goal when running back Jess Claycomb found the opening and walked into the endzone, untouched, upping the score12-0 with 5:37 left in the second quarter.

As Lead-Deadwood found themselves going backwards more than forwards, it was only a matter of time before the Patriots would add to their lead. After another short punt by the Diggers, the Patriots had control of the ball in excellent field position yet again. 

Keeping the ball on the ground, and six short runs later, Patriot Brayden Bruce found the endzone, increasing the score to 18-0. Following a successful extra point, the score was 19-0 with 1:44 left to go before the half.  Yearning for positive yardage, Lead-Deadwood was able to strike back quickly on their next possession. On second down, Gold Digger, Mekieh Hon worked his way behind the Patriot defense and Rainey was able to find him for a 78-yard touchdown pass making the score 6-19. Unfortunately, this would prove to be the only score of the game for the Diggers. 

The Patriots continued to dominate the field, recovering the ensuing onside kick and taking to the air. Hoping to score before the half, the Patriots connected on a 30-yard pass to Brayden Bruce and were moving in the right direction. As the clock ticked down, an interception by the Golddiggers ended the Patriot drive but gave Lead-Deadwood another chance to score with 48 seconds remaining.

While Lead-Deadwood attempted to make positive yardage, three incomplete passes and another sack on Rainey gave the Patriots the ball back with 20 seconds left on the clock. It was in this short time that Patriot quarterback Brad Kruger was able to find Levi Ruldoff who took the ball in from 42 yards out to make the score 25-6 to close out the half. 

Upton-Sundance continued to socially distance themselves from the Gold Diggers in the second half as Wyatt Gillespie recovered a fumble early in the third quarter and Braydon Bruce found the endzone on a sweep to the left side  for 15-yards, making the score 31-6. With another successful extra point the score was upped to 32 in favor of the Patriots. 

Reece Barritt started the fourth quarter with a 43-yard punt return, setting the Patriots up on the 17-yard line and within striking distance yet again. Patriot running back Levi Rudloff continued to help the offense up the field, and established position for quarterback Brad Kruger to run a bootleg into the endzone with 9:27 left on the clock and increasing the Patriot lead, 38-6.

This, however, was not the end of the Patriots game. As the Gold Diggers took over, hoping to score, Brayden Bruce was there for another Patriot interception.

Ripping off yards in chunks, the Patriots worked their way down the field and Levi Rudloff ran the ball into the endzone from 16 yards out, for the final score of the game, giving the Upton-Sundance Patriots the 44-6 victory in zero week.

The Upton-Sundance Patriots have a bye week this next week before set out to face their new conference opponents.  Making the short trip down to Newcastle on September 11, the Patriots will face the Doggies in their first conference matchup.

Stats from the game:

Offensive stats:

Rushing: Rudloff 11/79 (1 TD), Martin 8/68 (1 TD), Claycomb 17/59 (1 TD), Bruce 4/36 (2 TD)

Receiving: Bruce 2/40, Rudloff 1/40 (1TD), Barritt 1/20

Passing: Kruger 5/9/99 (1 TD, 2 INT)

Defensive point leaders:

Gillespie 23.5 (1 sack)

Bruce 15 (1 sack, 1 INT)