Pella Knights Shut Out River City Warriors 42-0
Pella Knights
Pella–For the second time this summer, the Pella Knights gave the River City Warriors a pounding, but this time they did one better with their second shutout of the year, winning 42-0 Saturday night in Midwest Football Alliance action.
Pella (4-3) was lethal in all aspects, holding a 420-209 edge in total yardage, including 313 accounted for by quarterback Jarred Lackey (Somerton, Ariz.). The rookie signal-caller was a one-man demolition crew from the start, recording 80 rushing yards on the game’s opening drive. He finished with 11 runs for 130 yards.
The advantage doubled less than one minute later. The Warriors fumbled the pigskin back to the Knights on their first play from scrimmage and two plays down the road Lackey hooked up with Denzel VanSant (Brooklyn) for a 19-yard scoring play. Lackey completed ten of his 15 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns, while VanSant hauled in three balls for 55 yards.
The quarterback earned his stripes on the other end of the ball as well, making it 20-0 by returning another River City fumble 60 yards for a score. The Warriors struggled in the rainy conditions, losing possession six times on the night (Pella had two giveaways).
Lackey finished off the second stanza with two late passing scores, connecting with DeMarco Sanders (Horn Lake, Miss.) and Jose Lainez (Miami, Fla.) on 52 and 23-yard plays, respectively. Sanders led the receiving corps with 99 yards on five receptions.
Corey Randall (Ottumwa) was a welcome addition in the backfield, returning to the Knight lineup for the first time since Week 2. He concluded the evening’s scoring by crossing the goal line from one yard out late in the third quarter. Randall tallied 37 yards on five attempts, while Carlos Stepter (Detroit, Mich.) added 36 yards on seven tries.
Saturday was a true team effort on the defensive end as 12 players finished with two or more tackles, highlighted by Tresdeen Marbury (Ottumwa) with five stops (two for loss, one sack). Dez Jones (Highland Park, Mich.) and Ken Torry (Memphis, Tenn.) each intercepted a pass in the victory.
The Knights return to action Saturday, traveling to Lincoln, Neb. to face the Capitol City Crush. The Crush lead the West standings at 4-0, while the Knights are in second in the East at 3-3 (only games from MFA play).
Score: Pella Knights 42, River City Warriors 0
Jarred Lackey: 10-15, 183 passing yds, 3 TD; 11 carries, 125 yds, 1 TD
DeMarco Sanders: 5 catches, 99 yds, 1 TD
Denzel VanSant: 3 catches, 55 yds, 1 TD
Tresdeen Marbury: 5 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack
Dez Jones & Ken Torry: 1 interception each
