Complementary run game, stifling D fuels Rustin’s romp of Oxford

WESTTOWN >> Even with an electric star like Dayshawn Jacobs, West Chester Rustin needs its complementary backs to be threats for the wing-T offense not to become too predictable.

Friday, at home, Jacobs was reasonably held in check, by his standards, but Rustin’s fullbacks filled the void with Oxford focusing on defending the edge.

The Golden Knights used a big third quarter and chomped off 416 rushing yards in a 42-0 win over Oxford, in the Ches-Mont American Division matchup.

“It’s very important all our backs are involved to run the wing-T,” Rustin coach Mike St. Clair said. “Dayshawn was not 100 percent. He was a little under the weather, but the other guys stepped up.”

Jacobs still put up 155 on the ground, but that was his lowest output since week one, as was his 8.2 yards per carry. Those would be career nights for many area backs, but with Oxford keying on Jacobs, the middle of its defense was left susceptible.

Chris Yanko rushed for 84 yards on six totes and Anthony Meadows tallied 37 yards on four carries on their quick-hitters up the gut for Rustin (4-1 division, 6-1 overall).

“The line was doing a great job,” Yanko said. “I don’t think they get enough credit. They do amazing every week.”

Tackles Dan McNasby and Jack Shoup, guards Aaron Meadows and Alfredo Flores, center Nick Impriano and tight end Nate Miscichowski have dominated since Rustin’s week one loss to Unionville. In the Knights’ six-game win streak, they’ve averaged 332.2 rush yards per game.

Kolbe Freney completed one pass on the night, for seven yards, bringing Rustin’s season pass yard total to 223.

Jacobs scored three times, and Yanko, Daimon Jacobs and Chase Hatton each reached pay dirt once.

“I’m happy with the way we played,” St. Clair said. “It was Homecoming and we had a pep rally and I thought that might take a little toll on the team, but they stayed focused and we ran the ball well tonight.”

Oxford (3-2, 4-4) trailed just 14-0 at halftime, and that was after gifting Rustin its first score by fumbling on its own 14 on the opening drive.

The Hornets’ offense was stymied by Rustin, though, with 76 rush yards on 30 carries and just 48 yards through the air for by far their lowest output of the season.

“We made too many mistakes,” Oxford coach Mike Means said. “I don’t doubt the kids’ effort. We’re a little banged up but so is everyone else. We just make too many mistakes, especially on offense, to get to the level we think we’re capable of.”

Dean Hunsicker picked off a pass for Oxford, but with two lost fumbles, the Hornets moved to minus-14 in the turnover ratio for the season.

It will not get any easier for Oxford, next week, when 7-1 Unionville comes to town. The Hornets are currently in line for a Class 5A playoff spot, but will likely need a win over either Unionville or West Chester Henderson to solidify that.

“We have to see who we have, who’s out and who’s healthy,” Means said. “Our kids are gonna come to work. We have to go in with a blue collar mentality and hopefully we get a better effort from the mental side of things.”

Rustin, meanwhile, is currently the No. 1 seed in 5A (as of Friday night), and will be highly favored to win out with Great Valley and Sun Valley left on the schedule.

“We have to keep practicing to get better,” Yanko said. “Our coaches do a great job keeping us focused and we’re not going to let anything stop us.”

WC Rustin 42, Oxford 0

Oxford    0 0 0 0-0

WC Rustin    7 7 21 7-42

                                     Scoring

First Quarter

WCR- Day. Jacobs 7 run (Strunk kick)

Second Quarter

WCR- Dai. Jacobs 7 run (Strunk kick)

Third Quarter

WCR- Yanko 10 run (Strunk kick)

WCR- Day. Jacobs 1 run (kick blocked)

WCR- Day. Jacobs 2 run (Meadows pass from Freney)

Fourth Quarter

WCR- Hatton 25 run (Strunk kick)

                                      Team Totals

                         WCR              OX

First downs      19            7

Yards rushing  47-416    30-76

Yards passing  7            48

Total yards      423          124

Passing      1-2-1        6-16-0

Fumbles-lost    1-0          3-2

Punts-avg.      0-0      3-32.3

Penalties-yds  7-60        2-10

                                    Individual Statistics

Rushing: Oxford — Long 14-40; Pantalone 12-30; Hunsicker 2-5; Jones 1-2; Yoder 1-(-1). Rustin — Day. Jacobs 19-155, 3 TDs; Yanko 6-84, TD; Jones 6-47; Hatton 2-39, TD; Meadows 4-37; Dai. Jacobs 2-19, TD; Santangelo 3-18; Butcher 2-9; Stefanide 1-6; Freney 2-2.

Passing: Oxford — Long 6-16-48. Rustin — Freney 1-2-7, INT.

Receiving: Oxford — Jones 3-22; Miller 1-15; Hunsicker 1-8; Yoder 1-3. Rustin — Egrie 1-7..

Interceptions: Oxford — Hunsicker.