Shippensbuurg running backs combined for 278 yards to lead the Greyhounds to 43-16 victory over New Oxford (File photo by Casey Kauffman).

By JD DAVIDSON
SHIPPENSBURG-The Shippensburg Greyhounds ran their record to 11-0 with a convincing 43-16 win over New Oxford in the first round of the 5A District III playoffs.  The Hounds exploded for 22 points in the second quarter to take a commanding lead, and the Hounds D stifled the Colonials in the second stanza.

New Oxford started the game on offense, but the Greyhound defense came up with a quick three and out.  Erby Wellers 15-yard punt return set Shippensburg up at mid field and six plays later the Hounds hit paydirt.  Amari Kerr started the drive with a nine-yard run and added an 11 yarder.  Tucker Chamberlin on second down hit Weller for a 15 yard completion and a first down.  Diesel Koser for six and Traevon Kater for five set the Hounds up with a first and goal.  Nathan Beam slashed in from four yards out for the first score.  Noah Henry added the PAT at the 8:21 mark.

The Colonials found some footing with their second drive, but the Hounds D stiffened and forced a field goal after an 8 play 55-yard drive.  Brittyn Eakins started the drive with a 27 yard romp.  The drive came to an end with Carter Funk tackled Idriz Ahmetovic for a four yard loss.  Daniel Wolfe nailed the 27 yard field goal for a 7-3 score.

Shippensburg answered with a 13 play 80 yard scoring drive.  Anthony Smith’s 14 yard run on fourth and one set the Hounds up at the Colonial five.  Smith Capped off the drive pounding it in from the two at the 10:47 mark of the second quarter.

The Greyhounds defense forced a quick three and out and the offense methodically went 71 yards in 14 plays to go up 21-3.  Kerr had 3 carries in the drive for 19 yards, the last four being for the score.  Kater with five totes for 47 in the drive.  The score came with 1:49 left in the half, but the Hounds D gave the home squad two more shots.

A Beam interception, return and penalty set the Hounds up at the New Oxford 31.  Chamberlin hit Weller for a what appeared to be a 31 yard TD strike with a defender draped all over him, however, Weller got called of offensive pass interference.  Shippensburg struck paydirt two plays later as Weller tipped up a slightly under thrown ball grabbed and finished off the 40 yard play for a score.  Conner Faust ran in the conversion for a 29-3 lead.

Brock Herb picked off the Colonials on the next possession, returned it 21 yards to the New Oxford 21.  Blake Orndorff attempted the field goal with :02.4 seconds left, but the Colonials blocked it sending the teams into half.

The Hounds iced the game with a third quarter score.  An 8 play 49 yard drive after Smith and Funson stopped a Colonials fourth and two.  Beam capped the drive with an 8 yard scamper and a 36-3 lead.

New Oxford added two scores in the fourth a 14 play 80 yard drive and a 6 play 50 yard drive.  Koser recovered the onside kick attempt after the second score.  Kater put the finishing touches on the night with an 18 yard bolt.

Kater led the Hounds rushing attack with 110 of the 278 yards.  Jeff Moore came off the bench to throw for 163 yards and a TD for New Oxford.  Smith eight tackles (5 solo) and two sacks, Funson 8 tackles (6 assists) led the Hounds D.  Funk, Herb and Kelso had 4 solos each.  Kelso had 2 of the seven pass break ups with Beam and Herb getting int’s..

More on the Hounds defense.  The Hounds have yet to yield any points in the third quarter, a total of 53 in the first half and 54 in the fourth.  Kater leads the team with 798 rushing yards, Kerr 627 and Beam 560.  The Hounds as a team have 2586 on the ground for a 235.1 per game average.  Weller 749 receiving and Smith 253.  Chamberlin 58-101-2  1104 14 tds passing.  Herb 79 tackles (43 solo) Funson 66 (31 solo), Funk 62 (34 solo) and Smith 60 (39 solo) lead the defense.  Smith 12.5 for loss and 8.5 sacks., Blake Orndorff 5 ints and Kelso 6 pass break ups.

A big Shoutout to the Colonial Division in the MPC, four teams made the playoffs and three of the four were first round winners.  Waynesboro, Northern and Shippensburg.  West Perry dropped there game against Middletown.

Shippensburg will host Cedar Cliff Friday November 12 in the district quarterfinals at 7:00 p.m. The game will be livestreamed on Mid Penn Broadcasting and on Country Gold Radio 93.9 FM.